FAQs

Your Questions, Answered. Navigate Your Mortgage Journey with Confidence.

How does a mortgage work?

A Bank or Lender loans money with interest. In return their loan is secured against the value of a persons property. The details of the loan agreement are registered against the Title of that property- this is known as a mortgage.

How does the process work?

See our mortgage process information for a detailed description on what you can expect from our office and how your application will be handled through to completion.

How much can I afford?

There is no prescribed criteria to determine what you can borrow. The amount you qualify for will be determined by the purchase price of the property, the deposit you are able to put down, your income and monthly expenses. Refer to our mortgage calculator for a guide, alternatively our brokers are able to give you an indication over the phone or a full agreement in principle.

How much would I get on a mortgage?

The loan amount, also known as the amount you can obtain on a mortgage, is determined by a number of variables, including as your income, credit worthiness, expenses, and the requirements of the lender. Lenders calculate the maximum loan amount they are ready to lend based on certain ratios and rules.

I have bad credit, will this be a problem?

This doesnt necessarily mean you cant obtain a mortgage. We will explore your options and look at specialist lenders who are more adept at dealing with clients who may not have the best credit. Some specialised lenders are more flexible than High Street banks.

I would like to invest in a rental property. Is this something you can help with?

Yes, our brokers have a wealth of experience in a range of Mortgage types including in the increasingly popular buy to let Mortgage.

Offered the right mortgage available to me?

We have access to over 70 lenders, including many of the market leading lenders such as Halifax, Nationwide and HSBC. We also have access to some smaller lenders, that only deal with brokers directly. We have access to exclusive rates and deals that aren't available on the open market. We will do all of the hard work for you, ensuring your needs and circumstances are considered to find the right mortgage for your circumstances.

What different types of mortgages are there?

There are two main types of mortgages;

Fixed Rate Mortgage and Variable Rate Mortgage. A Fixed Rate Mortgage means that your interest amount is fixed for a period of time (usually two to five years) therefore your repayments dont change.

A Variable Rate Mortgage means the amount of interest you pay can change, and therefore so do your repayments. See our page on mortgage interest rates for more information or view the various types of mortgages we offer advice on.

What fees are involved in getting a mortgage?

Our brokers take all the hard work out of finding the right mortgage for you. Our brokers are CeMap qualified and FCA Regulated. We can charge an Application Fee and a Financial Arrangement Fee payable on completion. Any fees will be detailed on the documentation provided prior to any commitment by the client.

What is a mortgage broker?

A mortgage broker is a person or company that arranges mortgages between borrowers and lenders. Mortgage brokers can be seen as the middle man and liaise on your behalf. We are able to search thousands of deals to find the right one for you. Fees and success rates can vary from one broker to the next, so its sensible to research which broker is right for you before committing to one.

What is in a mortgage?

One kind of loan used to fund the acquisition of real estate, usually a home, is a mortgage. The terms and conditions under which monies are provided by a lender (the mortgagee) to the borrower (the mortgagor) for the purpose of buying or refinancing a property are specified in the mortgage agreement.

Which mortgage lender lends the most?

Generally lenders will lend between 4.5-5x your income. Each lender will have their own income multiplier to decide how much they can lend a borrower. They will also consider your income and outgoings to determine how much you can afford, so it isnt as simple as taking your annual salary and multiplying this by 4.5.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. Most buy to let mortgages are not regulated by The Financial Conduct Authority.

The Mortgage Advice Professionals (MAP) Your Way Home

YOUR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE

THE MORTGAGE ADVICE PROFESSIONALS AND MAP ARE TRADING NAME OF THREE STARS FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS (UK) LIMITED WHICH IS AN APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVE OF OPENWORK LIMITED WHICH IS AUTHORISED AND REGULATED BY FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY.

APPROVED BY OPENWORK PARTNERSHIP ON 03/02/2025.

The Information on this website is subject to the regulatory regime and is therefore targeted at consumers in the UK.