Advice articles about "Finance"

Introducing our new partnership with the Mortgage Advice Bureau

When you have good news that you want to share, it can be hard to keep it to yourself. That’s why it’s been so tough these last few months for our ...

Remortgaging: everything you need to know

Something people ask us a lot is: should I remortgage? And it’s a very good question to ask! Very rarely do you take out a mortgage and stick with...

Top 5 ways to avoid landlord fines

As national lettings legislation has tightened up and local authorities have been given greater powers to regulate the private rented sector in the...

Should you invest in a buy-to-let property?

When looking for a smart investment, many turn to the buy-to-let market. However, just because this can be lucrative for some, doesn’t mean you sho...

What is a gifted deposit?

It’s been reported that a huge 80% of first time buyers get financial help from their parents when it comes to buying their first house. This is of...

Is buy-to-let still a good investment in 2022?

Whilst today’s low-interest rates might not be good news for any savers out there, on the flip side, this is great news for those looking to invest...

How does maternity leave affect remortgaging?

Remortgaging whilst on maternity leave can cause confusion and worry if you’re not sure how to approach this, so we’re going to run through why thi...

Buying a new build? Here’s everything you need to know

Are you considering buying a new build home? Then you’ll want to do your research: from finding out about the schemes that could help you buy a new...

Our top home finance tips to consider before summer

The days are getting longer again and summer is finally on the way! Before the summer festivities begin, it might be a good idea to get your financ...

When not to remortgage

Knowing when the right time to remortgage can sometimes be tricky. You might have heard your friends talking about how they remortgaged the house a...

What is buildings and contents insurance?

If you own your own home, whether it’s a two-bedroom flat or a four-bed detached property, you’ll need to have buildings insurance in place to ensu...

What is a green mortgage?

You’ve heard of fixed rate mortgages, tracker mortgages, and discount mortgages. But what is a green mortgage? In this article, we explain everythi...

When is the best time to pay off a Help to Buy loan?

Help to Buy loans are a great way for people to get on to the property ladder who would otherwise struggle to afford a house. While many people ha...

A guide to working out the total cost of your project

How much is your project going to cost? It’s likely going to be the big question hanging in the air and one a lot of homeowners struggle to answer....

A guide to home improvement grants in 2021

Wouldn’t it be great if someone stepped in to cover the cost of those most vital home improvements? Whether this is making your home more energy-ef...

Buying a house with cash: pros and cons

When buying a house, there are two different ways you can go about paying for it. You can either take out a mortgage where you pay a deposit and th...

What is let-to-buy?

Do you want to buy a new home without selling your current home first? Then let-to-buy might be the answer for you. Here’s everything you need to k...

How much does it cost to build a conservatory

They’re one of the most popular additions for British homes but how much will a conservatory set you back? On average, a conservatory can cost any...

Buying, selling and moving house during lockdown

In lockdown, our homes have become more important than ever, often feeling like our whole world. But what happens when your home isn’t up to scratc...

A guide to homebuyer surveys

Often, major structural issues aren’t easy to spot unless you’re a trained professional, so having a survey carried out on a property you’re buying...

5 finance rules to follow when buying a home to renovate

When buying a new home, it’s common for renovations to be at the back of your mind. Perhaps you’re looking for a challenge and want to transform a ...

What is financial protection?

“Protection” refers to types of life and protection insurance which are put in place to help “protect” you, your income, your home or your family f...

Taking care of your money and your mental health

According to a recent survey of 10,000 employees by Salaryfinance.com, 40% of UK employees have money worries. This results in them being over eigh...

How to save money to buy a house

The upside to saving is not only will you have a sizeable deposit when you come to buying your house, but you will also be able to demonstrate to l...

Busting the myth of the big deposit

There is a bit of a secret when it comes to getting on the property ladder that many people don’t know about. And it’s all to do with what many see...

7 things to know when buying your first home

When it comes to the house-buying process, we think every first time buyer would agree that it’s one big learning curve, from beginning to end. Th...

How to become mortgage-free

To live the rest of your life without having to worry about mortgage repayments – it’s the dream every homeowner works towards. So, how does someo...

What is income protection insurance?

The question to ask yourself is, could you cope? If you lost your wage, would you still be able to pay the mortgage repayments, the household bills...

Do you need life insurance to get a mortgage?

You’ve had your offer accepted on the house you want to buy, and you’ve just had confirmation of your mortgage approval (great news!), so now all t...

First-time buyer stamp duty rules

The below article was written to reflect the Stamp Duty policy from 1st July 2021. As a first-time buyer, there are plenty of costs you need to gr...

How to get a mortgage on your own

If you’re buying a home on one salary, either as a one-income family or as a single applicant, you might be thinking that your options are limited,...

Getting a mortgage with a low credit score

Banks and building societies are careful who they lend money to (understandably!) and so you should be prepared to have your financial history care...

When is the best time to pay off a Help to Buy loan?

Help to Buy loans are a great way for people to get on to the property ladder who would otherwise struggle to afford a house deposit, but it can be...

Different types of mortgages explained

If choosing the right mortgage type is making your head hurt, then don’t worry, you’re not the only one. With so many different types of mortgages...

Buying a house with cash

You can buy a house with cash, providing you have the funds upfront to hand over to the seller. But like anything, it comes with its own advantages...

Can I remortgage my house to buy another property?

Does the prospect of owning a second house appeal to you? Daydreams of holiday homes, or perhaps a nice buy-to-let investment? Well, now could be t...

Mortgage bankers vs mortgage brokers: why use a mortgage broker?

Most people assume that getting a mortgage means heading straight to your bank or building society, but unfortunately this can mean missing out on ...

Can a student get a mortgage?

Are you feeling bogged down by paying a landlord for the bare minimum? Why not consider becoming your own landlord by taking out a student mortgage...

A guide to mortgages and moving house

Moving to pastures new is an exciting prospect, but how should you get the ball rolling? Whether you’re a growing family or retiring to the country...

What is mortgage payment protection insurance?

The last year has been difficult for all of us but has also showed us how important it is to be protected, just in case. One way to feel more prote...

What are Help to Buy Equity Loans?

Launched by the government in 2013, Help to Buy Equity Loans are aimed at helping those who are struggling to get on the property ladder. There ar...

What is shared ownership?

Are you thinking about owning your own home, but only have a small deposit? Then shared ownership could be the answer... What is shared ownership?...

Stamp Duty Holiday: what does the extension mean?

The Stamp Duty Land Tax Holiday has been extended to 30th June 2021. This is an extension from the previous deadline of 31st March 2021. From 30th ...

What is a 95% mortgage?

They disappeared during the pandemic but they're now back on the market - it’s the 95% mortgage. Whether you’re looking for a way of purchasing you...

5 reasons why homeowners experience budget disaster

If you’ve ever watched a show about home extension/renovation, you’ll no doubt of seen an episode where the family experience a budget meltdown. Co...

How you can use the equity in your home to fund your project

When it comes to extending or renovating your home, many believe the only way to achieve their project is through the long slog of saving. However,...

The difference having a specialist lender can make

Let’s talk finance. When it comes to making significant changes to your home, either through an extension or renovation, it’s likely you’re going...