A little guidance now
beats a lot of stress later.

Most lenders will offer between 4 and 4.5 times your annual income, though this varies based on your outgoings, credit history and the size of your deposit. A broker can give you a more accurate figure based on your circumstances rather than a generic multiple.

A Decision in Principle usually comes back within minutes to a few hours. A full mortgage offer typically takes two to four weeks from application, though it can take longer if your circumstances are more complex or the lender is slower to respond.

You'll usually need proof of ID, three to six months of bank statements, recent payslips or tax returns if you're self-employed, and proof of your deposit. Your broker will confirm the exact list based on the lender you're applying with.

A Decision in Principle is a lender's initial indication of how much they might lend you, based on a quick check. A mortgage offer is the lender's formal, binding commitment, made after they've fully assessed your finances and the property.

Yes. Lenders will usually want to see two to three years of accounts or tax returns to assess your income. Some lenders are more flexible with self-employed applicants than others, which is where a broker's knowledge of the market matters.

A broker can compare deals across the market rather than showing you one lender's products, which often means access to better rates or lenders more likely to accept your circumstances. Going direct only shows you what that one bank offers.

A fixed rate keeps your monthly payment the same for an agreed period, usually two to five years. A variable rate can move up or down in line with the lender's rate or the Bank of England base rate, which means your payment isn't fixed.

It depends on the lender and how recent or serious the credit issues are. Some lenders specialise in applicants with a poor credit history, though rates are usually higher. A broker can identify which lenders are realistic for your situation.