In-depth articles on the questions that come up most when you're working out whether buying is realistic — deposits, borrowing, affordability, and the schemes that can help. For the full overview, start with the UK Mortgage Guide 2026; for the numbers on your own situation, use the calculators.
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What Mortgage Can I Get With a £20,000 Deposit?
What a £20,000 deposit actually buys in the UK in 2026 — the loan-to-value it gives you, what it represents against average house prices in each English region, worked examples by income, and the schemes that stretch it further.
Can You Get a Mortgage With Bad Credit?
Yes, in most cases — but not on the high street and rarely on the cheapest rates. What counts as adverse credit, the six-year rule, the deposit and rate to expect in 2026, how to improve your profile before you apply, and why a specialist broker matters.
How Much Can I Borrow on My Salary?
What your salary actually lets you borrow in 2026 — income multiples, the affordability stress test, worked examples from £25,000 to £60,000 and joint incomes, and the levers that move the number most.
The Full Cost of Buying a House
The deposit is only the start. Every upfront cost of buying a UK home in 2026 — stamp duty, conveyancing, searches, survey, mortgage fees, removals and insurance — itemised with real figures and a worked total.
Can You Borrow More on Your Mortgage to Renovate?
Lots of buyers take a bigger mortgage meaning to do the place up — but you can't simply add a renovation pot to a purchase loan. How it really works in 2026: borrowing at a higher LTV to free your cash, renovation mortgages, further advances, and what spreading the cost over your term actually costs.
Self-Employed Mortgages: A 2026 Guide
Self-employment changes how you prove your income, not whether you can borrow. How lenders assess sole traders, company directors and contractors, the accounts and SA302s you need, and why a specialist broker matters.