Mortgage Advice UK: A Simple Guide for Buyers, Landlords, and Investors

Finding the right mortgage can feel confusing, especially if it is your first time. As a professional mortgage broker and Mortgage Advisor in the United Kingdom, I help people every day to understand their choices and make the right decision. In this article, I will give clear and simple mortgage advice that can help home buyers, landlords, and property investors.

Whether you are looking at buy-to-let mortgages, remortgaging, or starting your mortgage application for the first time, this guide will help you understand everything step by step.

The Article updated as of July 8, 2025

What Is Mortgage Advice?

Mortgage advice is when a trained expert, like a mortgage adviser, helps you understand the best way to borrow money to buy a home or a property. This could involve comparing different mortgage products, explaining interest rates, or showing you how to use mortgage calculators to work out your monthly payments.

Who Needs Mortgage Advice in the UK?

Many people in the UK public need advice, such as:

• First-time buyers applying for their first First Time BuyerA borrower purchasing their first property. Mortgage
• People moving to a new home
• Landlords growing a buy-to-let investment portfolio
• Property investors seeking an Inflationary Hedge through Capital Growth
• Those with a poor credit history or low mortgage deposits
• Anyone applying for a GuarantorA person who guarantees to repay a mortgage if the borrower ... mortgage, Shared OwnershipA scheme where a borrower purchases a share of a property an..., or Open Market Shared Equity scheme

Good advice helps you pass the lender criteria, get a Decision in PrincipleA preliminary decision by a lender to offer a mortgage, base..., and avoid mortgage arrears later on. If you need a broker with strong industry experience, you can meet our team of CeMAP-qualified advisers online.

How Can a Mortgage Broker Help?

As a Whole of Market Mortgage Broker, I work with many lenders, not just one bank. This means I can:

• Search for the most suitable mortgage rates, including deals based on the Bank of England base rateThe interest rate set by the Bank of England, affects the in...
• Support you through the remortgaging process or your first mortgage offer
• Explain things like secured loans, bridging loans, or second charge mortgages
• Review your credit scoring, carry out a credit checkA check of a borrower's credit history, which is used by mor..., and help with Lenders Credit Check steps
• Handle the application paperwork, legal work, and explain your Mortgage title deedsLegal documents that prove ownership of a property.
• Provide expert help if you are buying a non-standard construction property

Our clients benefit from our strong focus on customer service, guided by a dedicated case manager and client relationship manager, making the property-buying journey smoother and less stressful.

Tips for First-Time Buyers and Landlords

Tips for First-Time Buyers

If you are buying your first home, follow these steps:

• Save for a mortgage deposit — even a gifted deposit from family can help.
• Check your mortgage affordability before you begin.
• Use our Online Mortgage Advisor tools to estimate costs.
• Get a Decision in Principle to show estate agents and sellers you are serious.
• Understand the full legal process, including personal searches, Council Tax, and other steps in the Guide to buying your first home.
• Avoid mistakes by using comparison sites carefully and speaking to Specialist Advisors.

If you have a small deposit, we offer helpful guidance on low deposit mortgages, including ways to get on the property ladder with just 5%.

We also help with important extras like mortgage protection, life insurance, and other insurance policies to keep you protected.

Tips for Landlords and Property Investors

Landlords and investors should:

• Think about capital growth and rental income
• Make sure the rent covers your mortgage overpayments and early repayment charges if needed
• Consider secured finance and the impact of the base rate
• Understand mortgage protection insurance, in case your tenant cannot pay
• Review your Mortgage statements regularly
• Stay updated on schemes like the LIFT Mortgage Scheme Scotland (for Scottish landlords)

Our Specialist Mortgage Advice team can help you compare interest rates, navigate the legal work, and find suitable deals.

Common Questions About Mortgages

What is a deposit?

A deposit is the money you pay upfront, usually around 5% or more of the property price. You might use savings or receive a gifted deposit from family.

How long does it take to get a mortgage?

It normally takes 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the application process, lender response, and your credit score.

What is a mortgage term?

This is how long you take to repay your loan, such as 25 or 35 years. You may choose a longer term to reduce monthly payments.

Can I take a break from paying?

Some lenders offer mortgage payment holidays, but this depends on their terms and your credit history.