Mortgage and protection advice
Extend Finance Blog
Practical articles about mortgages, protection, buying costs, and the UK property market.
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When will you be unable to insure your home in the UK in 2026?
Find out when a UK home insurance application can be rejected, which property features create problems, and what to check before buying a home.
What is Open Banking and how does it help with credit scoring in the UK?
In 2018, the EU’s PSD2 directive was introduced in the UK, breaking the banks’ monopoly on customers’ financial data.
Getting a Mortgage in the UK in 2026. Dispelling the myths
Getting a mortgage is one of the most difficult decisions you can make. Learn how the mortgage application process works and which myths are worth ignoring.
Mortgage interest – key information
Interest rates and mortgage interest are crucial factors when buying a property.
How much money will I spend buying a flat or a house in the UK in 2026
Although a mortgage is usually used to finance the purchase of a home in the UK, you will still need a fair amount of cash to pick up the keys to your own...
What is a joint mortgage and when does it pay off?
Everyone wants to have their own home, but getting to that state is not always easy.
Support for Mortgage Interest – when can you claim government assistance with your mortgage in the UK?
The Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) scheme is one of the least well known government support schemes.
Lifetime ISA - what do you need to know? Terms and limits for 2026
In today's article we will review the Lifetime ISA scheme.
Home purchase support schemes in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in 2026
Although all of these countries form part of the United Kingdom, the rules governing the purchase of property often differ between them.
Where should you avoid buying a house in the UK?
A property purchased to provide a home for you and your family should be a place where everyone feels safe, children have access to a high standard of educ...
Family Deposit Mortgage in the UK – is it a good way to obtain a 100% LTV mortgage?
Lenders in the United Kingdom offer a wide range of credit solutions tailored to different customer situations.
How to save on interest with an Offset Mortgage?
Although their popularity declined significantly after the 2008 crisis, offset mortgages are still available on the market and are offered by many banks an...
Buying a home in the UK without a deposit in 2026
Not all of our clients have enough savings to immediately collect the deposit that banks require.
UK property portfolio: Why is holding the ‘Holy Grail’ for landlords?
Investing in buy to let properties in the UK has entered a new phase.
What characteristics of a property could cause a bank to refuse to grant a mortgage?
Although such situations are rare, it may happen that a bank refuses to grant a mortgage due to a factor that is not related to your creditworthiness.
All Home Buying Assistance Schemes in England in 2026
Due to rising property prices, it is becoming increasingly difficult for many people to buy a house in England.
Mortgage Guarantee Scheme 2025 – Everything you need to know
A few months ago, the government programme called the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme 2025 came into force as a permanent scheme.
Guarantor Mortgage – A Mortgage with a Financial Guarantor
In the United Kingdom, there are several ways to obtain a better mortgage interest rate.
Mortgage for commercial property in the UK
In addition to residential mortgages, there are also products that allow you to obtain financing for commercial properties.
Living and working in one property – Semi-Commercial mortgage
Sometimes it happens that there is a need to use one property for both residential and commercial purposes.
What is a mortgage stress test?
If you apply for a mortgage, the bank will carry out a series of checks to determine whether you will be able to repay your debt.
What is a bridging loan and when is it used?
Amongst a wide range of financial products, banks also offer lesser known items used in less standard situations.
What is the Land Registry in the UK?
If you decide to purchase property in the UK, sooner or later you will learn about the need to register with the Land Registry.
When will an insurer not pay out on your life insurance policy in the UK?
Although life insurance in the UK is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, which provides a very high level of consumer protection, there are situa...
Debt consolidation in the UK – the best methods
It is estimated that around80% of adult UK residents are paying off loans.
Will interest rates on mortgages in the UK increase?
As a legally operating credit broker in the UK, we must inform our customers about the risk of interest rate increases and, consequently, increases in thei...
Fixed or variable interest rate in the UK – pros and cons
Are you applying for a mortgage for your dream home in the UK?
Holiday Let Mortgages explained
In recent years, short let platforms such as Booking.
Completion day when buying a house in the UK
Completion is the most exciting but also the most stressful day in the entire process of buying a house in the UK.
Everything you need to know about Professional Mortgages in the UK
A professional mortgage is often the key to lower interest rates, higher affordability, and even better customer service.
Can an LTD company take out a mortgage in the UK?
There are many ways to invest in real estate, but if you plan to operate on a larger scale, you will probably do so through a limited company.
Types of life insurance in the UK
Life insurance in the UK can be extremely diverse.
Death of a borrower with a mortgage in the UK
A mortgage is often a commitment lasting up to 30 years.
Mortgage in the UK – questions and answers (Part 3)
In this article, we answer your questions for the third time.
Why do I need income protection insurance?
Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you could not work for a few weeks or months?
Mortgage jargon made easy
Everyone knows what a mortgage is, but the more we get into the subject, the more difficult, incomprehensible and complex the terms become.
Consent to Let – how to rent out your home with a residential mortgage?
With the most popular type of mortgage in the UK, which is a residential mortgage, one of the conditions of the mortgage agreement is that the purchased pr...
Let to Buy – What is it and when should you consider it?
There are many reasons why you might want to move house – sometimes it will be necessary, for example due to a change of job or other life circumstances, o...
Transfer of Equity in the UK – everything you need to know
When repaying a mortgage in the UK, various situations may arise in your life.
What to expect from your first meeting with a mortgage broker in the UK?
Your first meeting with a mortgage broker is a crucial step on your journey to obtaining a mortgage or carrying out some kind of transaction on your curren...
Wills and Trusts in the UK - How better to bequeath an estate in 2025?
In the UK, the transfer of assets can be divided into two ways: Making a will or making a trust.
Trust - Everything you need to know
Many myths have grown up around trusts, but a large part of them miss the truth.
Buying a house in Manchester step by step
As an experienced mortgage broker operating throughout the UK, we often assist with house and flat purchases in Manchester.
What is the First Homes Scheme and how do I use it?
The British government offers a number of reliefs and assistance programmes for different groups in society.
Selling a property in the UK - how long does it take and what formalities are involved?
If you are thinking of selling your property, you are bound to have doubts about how long it will take you to find a buyer.
What legal issues can arise after obtaining a mortgage in the UK?
When it comes to mortgages, it is usual to talk about the issues that can arise at the early stage, which isthe application for finance itself.
Negative Equity on a mortgage in the UK
Borrowers are usually confident in their financial security because when they buy a property they become the formal owners of it.
First Time Buyer in the UK - how does it work?
Welcome to another post on our blog about mortgages in the UK.
Final mortgage payment in UK - this is what you need to know
Completing a mortgage is a big moment.
Is termination of a mortgage contract by the bank possible?
A mortgage contract is concluded between a borrower and a lender (usually a bank) for a specific purpose.
Mortgage for a house for renovation in the UK in 2025
Renovating a house can be a major challenge.
PMI - what do you need to know about Private Medical Insurance?
Do you have public health insurance with the NHS but want to improve your standard of treatment?
Does hire purchase increase creditworthiness?
For reasons that have not been fully explained, many people believe that buying products on hire purchase is a great way to boost your credit rating.
How to pay lower mortgage instalments? 6 tips for 2025
When you take out a mortgage, you are choosing to make a very serious commitment.
What is Remortgage and how does it work? Guide to 2025
In today's article we will look at the topic of remortgage, also known as a mortgage switch.
What are the differences between mortgage offers in the UK?
Choosing a right mortgage offer in the UK is a really difficult task there are at least 300 mortgage lenders and administrators, each with several funding...
Is it worth having life insurance on a UK mortgage?
Lenders in the UK do not generally require customers to havelife insurance , and it is an individual borrower's decision to purchase it.
Is buying a home in England a good investment? Guidance for 2025
When we buy a house, we may not approach it as a long term investment.
UK residential mortgage - how much do you need to earn to get one in 2025?
Many people who would like to buy their own property in the UK in the future wonder how much they would actually need to earn to get a mortgage.
Early Repayment Charge on a mortgage in the UK
Early Repayment Charge is a term that anyone considering overpaying their mortgage orremortgage, needs to be familiar with.
Electoral Roll registration versus mortgage application
Few people know that by signing up to the Electoral Roll you can increase your credit score, which will consequently allow you to pay a lower interest rate...
Mortgage in the UK and changing jobs
If you have signed up for a mortgage in the past, you probably remember how, during your affordability assessment, the bank required documents proving your...
My credit report from Checkmyfile is not generated correctly. What to do?
Have you been an exemplary borrower for many years, always paying your obligations on time?
What is Debt-to-Income ratio?
Banks look at a great many factors when assessing affordability.
Buying a property in the UK step by step. Guide to 2025
Buying an property in the UK is the dream of many immigrants who have come here in pursuit of a better life.
How to build up savings to mortgage deposit in the UK?
Banks virtually always require a specific deposit when lending mortgages.
Is it worth buying a house in the UK in 2025?
Buying a house will probably be the biggest expense of your life.
Mortgage in the UK and moving abroad
Life plays out unpredictable scenarios.
Mortgage in the UK – questions and answers (Part 1)
Buying a house is a very important moment in everyone's life, so it makes sense to prepare well for it.
Stamp Duty Land Tax when buying property in 2025. What has changed?
If you are buying property in England or Northern Ireland, you will most likely be liable to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax, or transaction tax.
UK mortgage and divorce. What to do? - Guide to 2025
When you take out a mortgage for a house together, you dream of starting a family there and want to treat it as your safe haven.
Buying a house in Scotland in 2025 - what do you need to know?
Although we try to make sure that our articles include information on finance and properties across the UK, inevitably we refer more often to the situation...
Buying a house in Wales in 2025. What do you need to know?
If you are planning to buy a property in the UK, you probably already know that it is not an easy process.
Buying a house in Northern Ireland in 2025
Most blogs on mortgages in the UK focus primarily on the realities in England and Wales, sometimes including Scotland.
Deposit for buying a property in the UK
The deposit, is the percentage of the price of the property you are buying that you have to cover with your own funds.
Property prices in the UK- winter 2025
Today's article is rather an overview instead of explaining more, we'll cover the topic of prices in the UK property market.
What is affordability? All about creditworthiness in the UK
We mention affordability very often on our blog.
What is mortgage underwriting and how does the process work?
You've found your dream home, you've received your initial mortgage decision and you've applied for a mortgage you've heard from your advisor at Extend Fin...
What Are the Top Alternatives to Traditional Retirement Savings?
Retirement is an exciting chapter, but planning for it can feel overwhelming.
UK mortgage for the Self-employed - questions and answers
Self employment is very popular in the UK, with an estimated 4.
What is decision in principle?
Decision in principle, also known as mortgage in principle or agreement in principle, is a document that confirms the bank's willingness to lend you a cert...
How do changes in interest rates affect mortgage repayments?
As interest rates fall, mortgage rates offered by UK banks are starting to fall.
Remortgage step by step
It's safe to say that a remortgage is one of the best investments you can make in connection with your property.
What is Financial Ombudsman Service?
When you take out a mortgage, take out a loan or buy lifeinsurance, you expect the quality of the service you receive to be high and the whole relationship...
Smoking and life insurance in the UK
Smoking cigarettes is harmful to health every healthy minded person knows this.
How does BMI affect the cost of life insurance?
BMI undeniably affects premiums for both life insurance and private medical policies.
Is it worth overpaying a mortgage in the UK?
A mortgage is probably the most important financial commitment in your life.
What is mortgage porting?
Sometimes it happens that we decide to change banks or offers in order to save on interest rates.
Do I need a life cover insurance?
Everyone wants to be safe it is one of the fundamental human needs.
Will in the UK - why is it worth making one?
Many people treat the topic of wills as taboo when a loved one, such as parents, brings up the subject of the division of property after death, we usually...
What is Stamp duty land tax? Calculator and rates for 2024
If you are planning to buy a property in the UK or are going through this process, you will certainly have come across Stamp duty land tax.
Does a mortgage in the UK pay off?
Over the period 1995 2022, the average mortgage interest rate in the UK was 5.
Buying a property in the UK - freehold or leasehold?
In the UK, there are many ways to own property.
Mortgage commission. Is it worth avoiding?
Some of our clients emphasize at the first meeting that they are looking for a mortgage without a booking fee.
What is conveyancing and what do you need to know about it?
Although we have already written several posts about legal procedures in the context of buying property in the UK, we feel that this topic still deserves a...
What is the LTV ratio of a mortgage and what do you need to know about it?
LTV, or loan to value ratio, is mentioned in almost every article on mortgages.
Shared Ownership - What It Is?
There are many ways to acquire property ownership in the UK.
Buying out an apartment or house from the Council in the UK
In today's article, we'll learn about the Right to Buy program, which allows a favorable buyout of council housing in the UK.
How long does it take to buy a house in the UK? 2024 guide
The decision to buy a property is often made several months before the end of the current lease typically, our clients contact us no sooner than six months...
Retirement Interest Only Mortgage (RIO) - mortgage for over 50s
Although a mortgage in the UK is best taken out when you are in your 30s or 40s, there are financial products on the market dedicated to 50 year olds and e...
LPA - lasting power of attorney in the UK in 2024
An LPA, or Legal Power of Attorney, is a lasting power of attorney that significantly increases your level of financial security and protects you from situ...
What is a second charge mortgage and why is it used?
There are times when unplanned yet large expenses arise in life.
How to check your credit score in the UK? Sample credit report with discussion
As a large proportion of banks charge a fee for applying for a mortgage, it is worth preparing yourself well for such a process a negative decision will si...
How do I set up an account with Checkmyfile? A guide for borrowers in the UK
If you're applying for a mortgage in the UK and you're a customer of ours, we've probably asked you to set up an account with Checkmyfile.
UK mortgage calculator
Want to take out a mortgage in the UK?
What is the easiest bank in the UK to get a mortgage from?
Wondering which UK bank is the easiest to get a mortgage from?
The 7 steps to buying property in the UK, or what buying a home in the UK in 2024 looks like
Thinking of buying a property in the UK? Find out how buying a house or flat in the UK is done step by step!
Buying a flat or house in the UK for rent in 2024
Today's post is a bit different from all the others usually, we focus on financial products dedicated to individuals.
Fixed rate mortgage in 2024 - is it worth it?
Fixed rate mortgages are very popular in the UK.
Critical illness insurance - what is it?
Cancer statistics are getting worse every year.
How to buy a house in the UK in 2024?
In today's article, we will explain to you step by step how to buy a house in the UK.
Insurance for dog and cat in the UK - you need to know this
You become responsible forever for what you have tamed.
Fracture insurance - is it worth it?
Everyone is afraid of fractures and other serious limb injuries any such accident involves pain.
UK Mortgage - key information
Do you want to take a mortgage in the UK in 2024?
How to take care of your household budget? A guide for mortgage borrowers
If you're reading this article, you're probably planning to apply for a mortgage, or you're just about to pay it off and feel a little short of money.
Educating Tenants on Gas Safety: A 2024 Must-Read
Post written by Dur e Sabih If you are a tenant, then it is most likely the responsibility of your landlord to safety check all of the gas appliances in yo...
What is a shared ownership resale scheme? Everything you need to know about buying a home with government help
Shared Ownership is an assistance programme designed for people who would like to buy a house but are not able to provide a large enough deposit.
When is it worth taking out a mortgage in the UK? We explain
Most UK residents are unable to buy a home without using a mortgage.
UK home extension loan. What do you need to know about it?
There comes a point in the lives of many families when the current home is no longer sufficient.
How are mortgage interest rates determined in the UK? Do you know the 2 major components?
In times of high inflation, it makes sense to reduce unnecessary expenses, including those related to your real estate.
Interest rate increase in the UK. How will it affect the mortgage market?
In today's article, I'll explain to you what to expect from the recent UK interest rate increase.
How to choose a mortgage in the UK and what to consider?
If you are reading this article, you are probably planning to take out a mortgage and buy your own dream home.
Everything you need to know about Consumer Duty
On 31 July 2023, the UK financial market had to comply with a package of new changes introduced by the authorities.
Missed mortgage instalments in the UK? Act fast!
You may have noticed that at the end of every article about mortgages that we publish on our blog, the message \"Your Home (or property) may be repossessed...
Three ways to multiply your savings
Investing is one of the key steps towards achieving financial stability and securing your future.
Self-build mortgage in the UK? It doesn't have to be difficult!
Looking for your perfect four walls, but the buildings on offer don't suit you? Find out how a self-build mortgage works!
Buying or renting a home in the UK? Pros and cons
What pays off more, renting or buying?
Why is insurance a good financial decision? 4 reasons
When buying insurance, you want first and foremost to provide mental comfort and protect yourself from potential expenses that your household budget could...
Buying a house at auction in the UK. What do you need to know?
Do you find property prices in the UK very high, but still want your own four walls?
Mortgage without a deposit in the UK? From May 2023 it's possible!
Yesterday we received news of a product that is sure to shake up the UK mortgage market.
Why should you do an insurance review? 8 reasons
Insurance is a financial product that we often use for many years.
Conveyancing - what do you need to know?
Although we already have a section dedicated to conveyancing on our website, we have decided to introduce you to this topic in a little more detail.
Insurance for a child in the UK. What do you need to know about it?
Today's article is aimed primarily at parents :) If you have children, you know very well that illnesses and minor accidents do happen, often on a daily ba...
Mortgage in the UK – questions and answers (Part 2)
Today's article is a continuation of our 'popular questions and answers' series.
8 ways to increase your chances of getting a mortgage in the UK
In today's article, you will learn how to increase your chances for getting a mortgage in the UK successfully.
IVA, another way to consolidate debts in the UK
Some of our clients are struggling with debt.
How to increase the value of property in the UK? 9 tips
If you want to sell your current house or flat, surely you want to get as much money as possible.
How to choose an insurance broker? 8 things you need to remember!
In this article you will find some tips on what to follow when choosing an insurance broker.
End of Help to Buy program. 3 alternatives you need to know!
The purchase of property involves a lot of money, which is why the British government has introduced several assistance programs for borrowers.
How to improve your credit score? 9 important tips for borrowers
If, despite the increase in prices, you plan to buy a property in the UK, you certainly want to increase your credit score.
Mortgage Broker in Coventry
Looking for an experienced Mortgage broker in Coventry? Contact Extend Finance today!
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Extend Finance is an authorised mortgage broker regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our registration number is 792412 — you can verify this at register.fca.org.uk