Mortgages & finance
How much you can borrow, the types of mortgage, and how to get a better rate.
Guides
Mortgage in principle: what it is and why agents want one
A mortgage in principle is an early sign from a lender of how much you may be able to borrow, based on an initial check of your finances. It
3 min read · Updated 8 August 2026
Help to Buy ISA: the legacy scheme explained for existing savers
Closed to new accounts since 2019 - but if you still have one, the 25% bonus is free money you can’t afford to lose. Rules, limits and how to claim at completion.
3 min read · Updated 7 August 2026
Fixed or tracker mortgage: which should you choose?
A fixed rate buys certainty at a price; a tracker bets on the Bank of England. How to compare them properly - and the one question that settles it for most people.
2 min read · Updated 7 August 2026
How much does a mortgage broker cost? (and is one worth it)
Free brokers, fee-charging brokers, and everything between. What brokers actually charge in 2026, what you get for the money, and when to skip the broker entirely.
2 min read · Updated 7 August 2026
Help to Buy ISA vs Lifetime ISA: which should you use?
If you still have a Help to Buy ISA, should you switch to a LISA? The bonuses, limits and traps compared - and the answer depends on one number: your house price.
3 min read · Updated 7 August 2026
Lifetime ISA explained: free money for your first home
Save £4,000 a year and the government adds 25% - up to £1,000 of free money annually. How the Lifetime ISA works, the rules, the traps, and how it compares to the Help to Buy ISA.
2 min read · Updated 7 August 2026
Remortgaging: when and how to switch your mortgage
Your fixed rate is about to end - now what? Remortgaging can save you hundreds a month. Here’s when to switch, what it costs, and the process in five steps.
2 min read · Updated 7 August 2026
Mortgage affordability: how much can you actually borrow?
Most lenders cap borrowing at 4–4.5× your income - but income is only half the story. Here’s how affordability really works, what lenders check, and how to work out your own number.
2 min read · Updated 7 August 2026
Common questions
What income multiple can I borrow on a mortgage?
Most UK lenders offer 4–4.5× your annual income, with some stretching to 5× or 5.5× for high earners with low outgoings. The multiple is an upper bound - the actual offer depends on your committed outgoings, credit history and the lender’s stress test.
What is a mortgage in principle and is it free?
A mortgage in principle (AIP) is a lender’s written indication of how much they would lend you. It’s free, usually takes minutes online, doesn’t affect your credit score (it’s a soft search), and is essential for making offers - agents and sellers expect to see one.