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Mortgage Guides

We've collated our most popular and most recently-published mortgage guides in one place for you. Designed to help you through the basics as well as more complicated issues, browse our entire back catalogue below. 

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Our most popular mortgage guides

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Should I use a mortgage broker?

A mortgage broker specialises in finding lenders who meet your specific needs for a mortgage. Find out how mortgage brokers can help and what fees to look out for.

A mortgage broker specialises in finding lenders who meet your specific needs for a mortgage.

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What income can I use for a mortgage application?

When you apply for a mortgage, you need to show you have sufficient income to repay it. But what sources of income can be used to qualify for a mortgage in the UK?

What sources of income can be used to qualify for a mortgage in the UK?

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Overseas Mortgages Explained

You must get an ‘overseas mortgage’ to purchase a house abroad – normally from a lender in the country you want to purchase in.

You must get an ‘overseas mortgage’ to purchase a house abroad – normally from a lender in the country you want to purchase in.

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5 steps to becoming a buy-to-let landlord

If you already have a mortgage on your property but wish to convert it to buy-to-let, it's important to speak to your mortgage lender. Read on to find out more.

If you already have a mortgage on your property but wish to convert it to buy-to-let, it's important to speak to your mortgage lender. Read on to find out more.

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Tips on finding the best estate agent

Your choice of estate agent can play a crucial part in the process of buying or selling a property. Take your time and make sure that you know exactly what services are being offered. Our helpful guide explains what to look for.

Your choice of estate agent can play a crucial part in the process of buying or selling a property. Our helpful guide explains what to look for.

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Mortgage valuations are not in-depth surveys

For a more comprehensive evaluation of a property, you should choose a home buyer report or the more detailed full structural survey. Our helpful guide explains the differences.

For a more comprehensive valuation of a property, you should choose a home buyer report or a detailed structural survey. Our guide explains the differences.

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How to pay off your mortgage early in 5 steps

Paying off your mortgage early can save you money on interest and help you become mortgage-free faster. See our five tips on how to pay off your mortgage early.

Paying off your mortgage early can save you money on interest and help you become mortgage-free faster.

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What is a cooling off period? What are my rights?

A cooling off period is a number of days, usually 14, that allows you to change your mind about a purchase or contract you completed from a distance. Find out when this applies and how it works.

A cooling off period is a number of days, usually 14, that allows you to change your mind about a purchase or contract you completed from a distance.

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All our mortgage guides

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What is a credit union?

Credit unions are not-for-profit co-operatives that offer financial products and services to their members. Read more on how credit unions work and how to join one.

Credit unions are not-for-profit co-operatives that offer financial products and services to their members.

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For how long should I fix my mortgage?

Whether you’re buying a home or remortgaging, you may wonder how long to fix your mortgage for. Our guide highlights the pros and cons of shorter- and longer-term deals.

For how long should you fix your mortgage? Our guide highlights the pros and cons of shorter- and longer-term deals.

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UK inflation explained - and how to deal with it

Inflation is a figure that says how much prices have risen or fallen over the past 12 months. Find out what it means for your money and how to respond.

Inflation is a figure that says how much prices have risen or fallen over the past 12 months. Find out what it means for your money and how to respond.

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How to save for your first home

Saving for a deposit can seem daunting, but there are practical steps you can take. See our tips on how to save for a house, such as opening a Lifetime ISA.

Saving for a deposit can seem daunting, but there are practical steps you can take. See our tips on how to save for a house, such as opening a Lifetime ISA.

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What income can I use for a mortgage application?

When you apply for a mortgage, you need to show you have sufficient income to repay it. But what sources of income can be used to qualify for a mortgage in the UK?

What sources of income can be used to qualify for a mortgage in the UK?

Read More
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How to pay off your mortgage early in 5 steps

Paying off your mortgage early can save you money on interest and help you become mortgage-free faster. See our five tips on how to pay off your mortgage early.

Paying off your mortgage early can save you money on interest and help you become mortgage-free faster.

Read More
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What is a standard variable rate?

A Standard Variable Rate, or SVR, is a mortgage rate you will likely move to after an initial fixed or variable deal ends. Read more on standard variable rate mortgages.

A Standard Variable Rate, or SVR, is a mortgage rate you may move to after an initial deal ends. Read more on standard variable rate mortgages.

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UK base rate explained - and how to respond to changes

The Bank of England base rate is the UK’s central interest rate. Find out what the base rate, or bank rate, does and how it can affect mortgages and savings.

Find out what the Bank of England's base rate, or bank rate, does and how it can affect mortgages and savings.

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What is APR? Annual percentage rate explained

The annual percentage rate (APR) is used as an indicator of the interest and charges you would have to pay back on an unsecured loan or credit card per year.

The annual percentage rate (APR) indicates how much a loan or credit card will cost you per year, taking into account interest and fees..

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A guide to the Financial Conduct Authority UK

Our guide to the Financial Conduct Authority. Everything you need to know as a UK consumer.

Our guide to the Financial Conduct Authority. Everything you need to know as a UK consumer.

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5 steps to becoming a buy-to-let landlord

If you already have a mortgage on your property but wish to convert it to buy-to-let, it's important to speak to your mortgage lender. Read on to find out more.

If you already have a mortgage on your property but wish to convert it to buy-to-let, it's important to speak to your mortgage lender. Read on to find out more.

Read More
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What are mortgage exit / redemption fees?

Borrowers may not realise that many mortgage providers charge exit/redemption fees. Read our complete guide to find out more.

Borrowers may not realise that many mortgage providers charge exit/redemption fees. Read our complete guide to find out more.

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What are the costs of buying a home in the UK?

From arrangement fees to conveyancing costs, what type of fees can you expect when buying a home?

From arrangement fees to conveyancing costs, what type of fees can you expect when buying a home?

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Is it better to pay off a mortgage or save?

It can be hard to decide whether to put money into savings or use it to overpay your mortgage. See our guide for the pros and cons of each option.

It can be hard to decide whether to put money into savings or use it to overpay your mortgage. See our guide for the pros and cons of each option.

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What is a building society?

Building societies are financial institutions that are similar to banks in some ways, but there are several key differences in how they work.

Building societies are financial institutions that are similar to banks in some ways, but there are several key differences in how they work.

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How to improve your credit score

Our guide sets out 11 steps to boosting your credit score, including making payments on time and keeping your credit utilisation low.

Our guide sets out 11 steps to boosting your credit score, including making payments on time and keeping your credit utilisation low.

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How can I handle difficult tenants?

Tenants can be responsible people, however, there are always going to be exceptions. Our guide outlines what you can do as a landlord when the worst happens.

Tenants can be responsible people, however, there are always going to be exceptions. Our guide outlines what you can do as a landlord when the worst happens.

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Overseas Mortgages Explained

You must get an ‘overseas mortgage’ to purchase a house abroad – normally from a lender in the country you want to purchase in.

You must get an ‘overseas mortgage’ to purchase a house abroad – normally from a lender in the country you want to purchase in.

Read More
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Should I use a mortgage broker?

A mortgage broker specialises in finding lenders who meet your specific needs for a mortgage. Find out how mortgage brokers can help and what fees to look out for.

A mortgage broker specialises in finding lenders who meet your specific needs for a mortgage.

Read More
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What is a cooling off period? What are my rights?

A cooling off period is a number of days, usually 14, that allows you to change your mind about a purchase or contract you completed from a distance. Find out when this applies and how it works.

A cooling off period is a number of days, usually 14, that allows you to change your mind about a purchase or contract you completed from a distance.

Read More
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Repay your mortgage or contribute to your pension? A UK guide

Deciding whether to increase your mortgage payments or pension contribution can have a significant effect on your finances. As a starting point, our preferred independent financial adviser company Kellands encourages consumers to align their mortgage term with their preferred retirement date.

Deciding whether to increase your mortgage payments or pension contribution can have a significant effect on your finances.

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What is the best type of mortgage for you?

Looking for a mortgage and don’t know where to start? Here’s a list of things to consider when deciding on the right type of mortgage for you.

Looking for a mortgage and don’t know where to start? Here’s a list of things to consider when deciding on the right type of mortgage for you.

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Energy Performance Certificates explained and how to improve your score

In this guide we’ve explained what an EPC is, and how it may influence the property market.

In this guide we’ve explained what an EPC is, and how it may influence the property market.

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How to fund home improvements

In this guide we’ve listed some of the different ways you can finance your home renovation project.

In this guide we’ve listed some of the different ways you can finance your home renovation project.

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How to spend an inheritance

If you’ve inherited a large sum of money, what’s the best way to manage it?

If you’ve inherited a large sum of money, what’s the best way to manage it?

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What is conveyancing?

Whether you are buying or selling a property, you will need a conveyancer to oversee all the legal requirements and ensure your transaction completes. Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one person to another, and a property sale can’t complete without it.

Whether you're buying or selling a property, you'll need a conveyancer to oversee all the legal requirements and ensure your transaction completes.

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Getting a mortgage if you are disabled

Being disabled is not a barrier to getting a mortgage and buying a home. Our helpful guide explains everything you need to know. Includes information on Help to Buy and shared ownership schemes.

Being disabled is not a barrier to getting a mortgage and buying a home. Our helpful guide explains everything you need to know.

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Tips on finding the best estate agent

Your choice of estate agent can play a crucial part in the process of buying or selling a property. Take your time and make sure that you know exactly what services are being offered. Our helpful guide explains what to look for.

Your choice of estate agent can play a crucial part in the process of buying or selling a property. Our helpful guide explains what to look for.

Read More
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Should I get an interest-only mortgage?

An interest only mortgage means that the borrower only has to pay back the interest on the loan each month, leaving the capital untouched. Read the Moneyfacts guide...

An interest only mortgage means that the borrower only has to pay back the interest on the loan each month, leaving the capital untouched. Find out more.

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How to prepare for a mortgage interview

Your mortgage lender or adviser will want to make sure it is reasonable to give you a mortgage. Our four step guide tells you how to prepare for your mortgage interview.

From getting your finances in order to gathering together the right paperwork, here's what you need to know ahead of your interview.

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Dealing with a mortgage during divorce or separation

The mortgage guide that makes things clearer and easier for all concerned. Consider these three options outlined in our handy guide.

The mortgage guide that makes things clearer and easier for all concerned. Consider these three options outlined in our handy guide.

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What is the best way to release cash from your home?

One of the benefits of paying off a large portion of your mortgage is that you will have built up equity in your home. In this article we discuss the three main ways for homeowners to release cash tied up in their home.

These are the three main ways for homeowners to release cash tied up in their home.

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