Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — cover can be arranged individually or jointly, depending on your needs and circumstances.

Cover can be tailored to suit most budgets and prioritised based on what’s most important to you.

Yes — policies can be reviewed as your circumstances change and should normally be reviewed yearly.

Employer benefits can be very helpful and are always reviewed.
In many cases, they can be used to reduce the amount of additional cover needed if any shortfalls are identified.

No — protection is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended.

Ideally before putting your property on the market — this allows planning ahead and avoids delays later.

Even when porting, lenders still require a full assessment and approval.

This can be managed with careful planning, and your solicitor will guide you through the legal side.

Often yes, subject to affordability and lender criteria.

Yes — but early repayment charges may apply. I’ll check this and explain your options clearly.

I support clients across the UK, with many based in:

• Brecon
• Powys
• Mid Wales

Whether you’re local or nationwide, the process remains exactly the same.

Absolutely.

I review your mortgage before your deal ends so nothing slips onto the standard variable rate.

Your protection is also reviewed annually to ensure everything remains appropriate — which is vital if a claim is ever needed.

1. Discovery call
2. Mortgage recommendation
3. Application submission
4. Ongoing support until completion and beyond

Yes — all appointments are held remotely via phone or video call.

It’s not compulsory — but it is strongly recommended.

Most buyers protect:

• The mortgage
• Their income
• Their family

Protection helps ensure your home remains secure if life doesn’t go to plan.

👉 Simple explanation available — View What Insurance Do I Need Guide

Typical costs include:

• Solicitor fees
• Survey fees
• Mortgage product fees (if applicable)
• Broker fees (if applicable)
• Stamp Duty (England, if due)
• Land Transaction Tax (Wales)

👉 Full cost breakdown — View Extra Costs Guide

On average:

• 12–16 weeks

However, chains, surveys and solicitors can all affect timelines.

👉 Full timeline breakdown — view How Long Does It Take Guide

Before booking viewings.

Most estate agents will request one before accepting an offer, and having this in place shows you’re a serious and proactive buyer, which can give you an advantage in competitive situations.

A Mortgage in Principle confirms how much a lender may be willing to lend, subject to checks.

It is usually valid for 30–90 days.

👉 Full explanation available — view Mortgage In Principle Guide

Typically:

• CIS payslips
• SA302s
• Tax year overviews

• Sole traders: net profit (your income after expenses and the amount you pay tax on)
• Limited company directors: salary plus dividends
• Some lenders may also consider retained profits

👉 Full explanation available in my Self-Employed Guide

Usually:

• 2 years’ accounts
• Some lenders will accept 1 year

Yes — several lenders allow this.

Yes.

Some lenders will accept:

• One payslip, or
• A signed employment contract

Depending on the lender, acceptable income may include:

• Basic salary
• Overtime
• Bonuses
• Commission
• Shift allowance
• Self-employed income
• Director dividends
• CIS income

Not all lenders treat income the same way — this is where expert advice makes a big difference.

Student loans don’t appear as traditional debt, but the monthly repayment is included in affordability calculations.

Yes.

Even when interest-free, lenders treat these as credit commitments and include them in affordability assessments.

Often — yes.

Many lenders will still consider applicants with:

• Missed payments
• Defaults
• CCJs
• Low credit scores
• IVAs

What matters most is:

• When it happened
• Why it happened
• How recent it was

👉 I’ve created a full guide — See Bad Credit Mortgage Guide

Yes — there are several options available, including:

• Gifted deposits
• Joint borrower sole proprietor mortgages
• Family-assisted lender schemes

Every option works differently, which is why personalised advice is important.

Your deposit can come from:

• Personal savings
• Gifted deposit from family
• Lifetime ISA (LISA)
• Sale of another property (if moving)

👉 Full breakdown available in my Deposit Guide

Most buyers need:

• 5% minimum deposit
• 10–15%+ for better interest rates

In general, the larger the deposit, the lower the interest rate available.

There are also schemes where you may not need a deposit at all, such as:

• 100% mortgages
• Renters’ mortgages
• £5,000 deposit schemes

These options are subject to strict lender criteria and won’t be suitable for everyone.

They are typically aimed at buyers with:

• Good credit history
• Stable income
• Strong affordability

While these schemes can be an excellent option for some first-time buyers, eligibility must always be confirmed.

👉 Unsure how much you need? My Deposit Guide explains this simply.

Because every lender calculates affordability differently.

Two buyers on the same salary can receive very different mortgage offers.

Online calculators are estimates only — not lending decisions.

Most lenders offer around 4–4.5 times your income, but this isn’t a fixed rule.

Your borrowing amount depends on:

• Income type (salary, overtime, self-employed etc.)
• Monthly commitments
• Credit history
• Number of dependants
• The lender’s affordability model
• The length of your mortgage term

👉 Want more detail? See my Affordability Guide

You’re classed as a first-time buyer if you’ve never owned a property anywhere in the world — even if it was inherited or buy-to-let.

Some lenders will allow you to re-join first-time buyer schemes if you haven’t owned a property for a certain period of time.

This can be beneficial because it may give you access to lower deposit options, improved interest rates, and first-time buyer incentives that aren’t always available to home movers.

No — absolutely not.

While I specialise in helping first-time buyers, I also support:

• Home movers
• Remortgages
• Buy-to-let purchases