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Residential Mortgages
- A residential mortgage is a long-term loan secured against a property you intend to live in. Whether you're buying your first home, moving, or remortgaging, we search the full market to find the right deal for you.
Expert Mortgage Advice for Home Buyers and Remortgagers
A residential mortgage is a long-term loan secured against a property you intend to live in. It is fully regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which means you benefit from statutory protections throughout the process.
These mortgages are also known as first-charge mortgages, as the lender holds first charge over the property — meaning they have priority over any other secured lender if the loan is not repaid.
Most lenders require a minimum deposit of 5–10%, with better rates typically available at higher deposit levels. Terms generally run up to 35 years, and repayments cover both interest and capital unless an interest-only arrangement is agreed. Lenders assess affordability based on your income, outgoings, and credit history, with most offering up to 4–4.5 times your annual income.
As an independent broker, we work across the full market — including high street lenders, building societies, and specialist providers — to find the mortgage that best fits your circumstances.
Product Features Include:
- First-time buyers, movers, and remortgagers all considered
- Available for new-build and existing properties
- Fixed, variable, tracker, and offset mortgage options
- Repayment and interest-only arrangements available
- Self-employed and complex income accepted, subject to lender criteria
- FCA-regulated — full consumer protections apply
Case studies
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Enquiry to Completion in 4 weeks
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our team
team of experts
FAQs
Common Questions & Answers
What is a residential mortgage?
A residential mortgage is a loan secured against a property you intend to occupy as your main residence. It is repaid over an agreed term — typically 10 to 35 years — through monthly instalments covering interest and capital. Residential mortgages are fully regulated by the FCA, which means lenders must follow strict affordability and conduct rules. They are also known as first-charge mortgages, as the lender holds the first legal charge over the property.
How much deposit do I need for a residential mortgage?
Most lenders require a minimum deposit of 5–10% of the property’s value, though a larger deposit will typically give you access to better interest rates. At 10% deposit you are borrowing at 90% LTV; at 25% deposit you are borrowing at 75% LTV, which opens up a wider range of products. Government schemes such as Shared Ownership may allow lower deposit levels in certain circumstances. We can advise you on the most suitable options based on the deposit you have available.
How much can I borrow on a residential mortgage?
Most lenders will lend up to 4 to 4.5 times your gross annual income, though some specialist lenders may go higher for certain borrower profiles. The actual amount depends on your income, existing financial commitments, credit history, and the property’s value.
We assess your position and match you to lenders based on realistic borrowing potential, so you don’t waste time applying to lenders unlikely to approve your case.
Can I get a residential mortgage if I'm self-employed?
Yes. Many lenders offer mortgages to self-employed applicants, though the assessment process differs from employed borrowers. Lenders typically require two to three years of accounts or SA302s and will often use your net profit or salary plus dividends to calculate affordability. Some specialist lenders are more flexible in how they assess self-employed income. We regularly arrange mortgages for contractors, sole traders, and company directors, and we know which lenders are best suited to each scenario.
What is the difference between a fixed-rate and a variable-rate mortgage?
With a fixed-rate mortgage, your interest rate stays the same for an agreed period — typically 2, 3, or 5 years — regardless of changes to the Bank of England base rate. This gives certainty over your monthly payments. With a variable-rate mortgage, the rate can change, either tracking the base rate directly (a tracker mortgage) or at the lender’s discretion (a standard variable rate). Fixed rates suit borrowers who want payment stability; variable rates can be advantageous when rates are expected to fall. We can help you weigh up the options based on your circumstances.
