Getting a mortgage in your 50s and beyond used to be a challenge, but things have changed! Nowadays, mortgage lenders are more willing to help older applicants buy homes or refinance. So, if you're thinking about getting a mortgage later in life, here's what you need to know.

Age limits and what lenders look for
Let's start with age limits. Lenders usually have their own rules about how old you can be when your mortgage needs to be repaid. It varies, but usually, you'll see age limits ranging from 70 to 85 years old, sometimes even up to...

The cost-of-living crisis and inflationary pressures has put pressure on people’s finances and made it harder for people to get on the housing ladder due to affordability constraints and more people having a less than perfect credit history.

How important is your credit history for mortgage lenders?

Looking into your credit history is one of the ways in which a mortgage lender will gain information on how reliable you have been at paying back debts and loans in the past. A mortgage lender needs to be confident that you’ll be able to keep...

Do you feel like you have to jump through more hoops when applying for a mortgage just because you’re self-employed? And not sure which way to turn?

We’re here to help. We are mortgage advisers and we can help you navigate the self-employed mortgage market and any of the challenges you may face.

What is a self-employed mortgage?

There isn't a specific product called a self-employed mortgage, you will be applying for the same mortgages as those who are employed. The key difference is that lenders look at self-employed earnings differentl...

If you've ever felt like you don't quite fit the conventional mould when it comes to securing a mortgage, you're not alone. In fact, more and more people are in the same boat, challenging the standard lending rules.

If you’re self-employed, had a credit blip or over 50 you may have encountered challenges when applying for a mortgage because traditional mortgages don't always cater to everyone's needs. Luckily, there are specialist mortgage products designed just for people like you and we can help.

Self-Employed?

Do you feel like you h...

Knowing what to do if you’ve been scammed and where to get help is crucial. Here are five key steps to recover from a financial scam.

1. Act quickly

Time is crucial when dealing with financial scams. Take immediate action if you think you’ve been scammed to minimise any further damage. If you’ve shared personal information, contact your bank or building society right away to report the fraud and freeze your accounts to prevent further unauthorised transactions.

If scammers have posed as a person you trust, such as a family member or your ...

UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s 2023 Autumn Statement outlined, in his words, “eight months of hard work” and no fewer than 110 measures to help grow the British economy. Contained within are a raft of measures set to overhaul everything from minimum wage and benefit payments to tax, business investment, and more. 

The Winners

Young and low-paid staff

Although the news was released ahead of the main statement, the announcement confirmed a large-scale increase to the national living wage, bringing the hourly rate from £10.42 to £11.44 (an impr...

On 22 November 2023, chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered the Autumn Statement against a backdrop of a cost of living crisis and a looming general election.

It’s been a challenging year with inflation dominating headlines. While inflation has fallen, it’s still higher than the Bank of England’s 2% target at 4.6% in the 12 months to October 2023.

Ahead of his speech, Hunt faced pressure to reduce the tax burden on both households and businesses while there was speculation about a potential Inheritance Tax cut, which didn’t materialise.

In his ...

Reducing debt

• The government is reducing debt and borrowing, with borrowing forecast to be lower this year, next year, and on average over the forecast period compared to the OBR's March forecast.
• Underlying debt is also lower as a percentage of GDP, by an average of 2.1 percentage points across the forecast.
• The government is on track to meet its debt and borrowing fiscal rules with greater headroom against both rules compared to spring.
• The government has made available up to £14.1 billion for the NHS and adult social care and an add...