In the UK today, the legal work involved in buying a home often takes longer than buyers expect. According to PropertyWire, transactions regularly stretch to 12–18 weeks between offer and completion due to regulatory and procedural delays.
Despite its importance, research by the Home Owners Alliance shows that only around 40 % of UK adults fully…
Brighton & Hove and wider Sussex remain among the South East’s most active housing markets in 2026, with high buyer demand and tightening average selling times. Independent estate agencies continue to lead the way, consistently closing more local sales than national chains. Family homes in BN2 and surrounding postcodes are moving faster than flats, while…
Getting a mortgage is a big step, but if you’re self-employed in Brighton & Hove, it can feel more complicated than it should. Without a regular payslip, many freelancers, contractors, and business owners find that high-street advice doesn’t quite fit their situation, especially when income changes year to year, and property prices are anything but…
Standard mortgages don’t fund build costs. Development finance fills that gap, funding land and construction with staged drawdowns tied to build progress and monitoring surveyor sign-offs.
Typical structure
• Initial advance to acquire land/assets. • Further funds released in stages as works are completed. • Interest may roll up to preserve cash flow during the…
When timing matters more than pricing, bridging loans shine. They’re secured, short-term facilities designed to complete purchases quickly, fund refurbishments, or release cash pending a sale or refinance.
How bridging loans work
• Term: typically 3–18 months (up to ~24 months with some lenders). • Security: usually one or more properties (1st/2nd charge). • Interest:…
Unlike residential mortgages, commercial mortgages fund business premises and investment properties such as offices, retail units, warehouses, and mixed-use buildings. The lending is bespoke: underwriters assess the business, property, cash flow, and borrower experience.
Types of commercial mortgages
• Owner-occupied: for businesses buying premises they trade from. • Commercial investment: for investors purchasing property to…
For many first-time buyers, affordability is the biggest hurdle. Even with a healthy deposit, lender income assessments can block access to the right property. A joint borrower sole proprietor mortgage (JBSP) can be a solution. It allows another person (often a parent) to boost the application without being on the property deeds.
What is a…
A joint mortgage allows couples, friends, or family to combine incomes and co‑own property. Everyone on the mortgage is liable for repayments.
How it works
Lenders assess all applicants’ incomes, credit, and commitments. Ownership can be set as joint tenants (equal shares) or tenants in common (flexible shares). Legal agreements (declarations of trust) can protect…
For buyers who fall short on deposit or affordability, a guarantor mortgage can bridge the gap—without the guarantor owning the property.
How it works
A parent/relative guarantees repayments, often securing the loan against their home equity or a savings pledge. If the borrower defaults, the lender can claim against the security. The guarantor may be…
Variable rates trade certainty for flexibility. Your lender’s SVR can move, affecting your payments; discount deals sit at a margin below SVR for a period.
How it works
SVR is set by the lender and can change at their discretion (often influenced by the base rate). Discount mortgages track SVR minus a discount (e.g., SVR…
Tracker mortgages are variable products that move directly with the base rate—your payments can rise or fall during the deal term.
How it works
Your rate = base rate + a fixed margin (e.g., +0.75%). If base changes, your payment changes accordingly. Terms often last 2–5 years before reverting to SVR.
Advantages
Lower costs when…
Interest only keeps monthly payments low, but the capital must be repaid at term end via investments, savings, or sale—so a robust strategy is essential.
How it works
Monthly payments cover interest only; balance remains. At maturity, repay the capital in full using an approved repayment vehicle or disposal plan.
Who qualifies
Borrowers with strong…
