Micah - Simple Fast Mortgage

23/07/2026

🚫 Mortgage Myth Busters

Myth: "If you've missed a payment, you can't get a mortgage."

This is one of the most common concerns I hear from people looking to buy a home.

The good news?

A missed payment doesn't automatically mean you can't get a mortgage.

Mortgage lenders look at a range of factors when assessing an application, including:

✅ What type of payment was missed.
✅ How long ago it happened.
✅ Whether it was a one-off or part of a wider pattern.
✅ How you've managed your finances since.

For example, a single late mobile phone payment from a few years ago may be viewed very differently to multiple recent missed loan repayments.

Every lender has its own criteria, which is why two lenders can assess the same applicant differently.

💡 Did You Know?
Some lenders specialise in helping applicants with more complex credit histories, while others have stricter lending criteria. The right lender depends on your individual circumstances.

✅ Myth Busted
A missed payment doesn't always mean the end of your homeownership plans. The key is understanding your options and getting advice based on your own situation.

💬 Question of the Day
Have you ever assumed you wouldn't qualify for a mortgage because of something on your credit history?

Or have you heard another mortgage myth you'd like me to cover next?

Leave it in the comments below.

22/07/2026

House prices are up, mortgage rates are easing, and the north-south divide is widening. For property investors, each of those things carry a different implication.

The Lloyds June index shows average UK prices at £299,330, with 0.2% monthly growth and 0.6% annual growth. Modest numbers, but the direction has shifted. Borrowing costs have come back from their recent highs, and affordability, while still stretched, is beginning to improve for some buyers.

The regional breakdown is where it gets interesting:
➡️ Northern Ireland up 7.4% annually
➡️ Scotland up 3.9%
➡️ North East England up 2.8%
➡️ South East England down 2.0%
➡️ London down 1.1%

Southern markets facing price falls while northern regions post meaningful growth which reflects a longer-term structural shift in where demand and affordability are aligned. For portfolio landlords and investors, it raises the question whether your strategy reflects the market as it is today, or the market of five years ago.

Mortgage approvals fell sharply in May, but that followed a period of elevated rates and was expected. As conditions stabilise, activity should recover.

The market is recalibrating. The investors paying attention to where and how will be better positioned than those waiting for a return to what was.

Is your portfolio positioned for where growth is actually happening right now?

21/07/2026

🔑 Tuesday Key Facts

Check Your Credit Report Before You Apply

One of the easiest things you can do before applying for a mortgage is to check your credit report.

Why?

Because it's much better to discover any issues yourself than for a lender to find them first.

Your credit report may contain information such as:

✅ Electoral Roll details

✅ Existing credit accounts

✅ Missed or late payments

✅ Financial links to other people

✅ Credit searches

Occasionally, reports can contain outdated or incorrect information. Identifying this early gives you the opportunity to query it or understand how it might affect your application.

It's also worth remembering that your credit report and your credit score aren't exactly the same thing. As we discussed yesterday, lenders usually look at the wider picture, not just one number.

💡 Did You Know?

Checking your own credit report is generally considered a "soft search", which means it doesn't affect your ability to apply for a mortgage.

(Always check with the credit reference agency you're using, as processes can vary.)

✅ Key Fact

The more you know about your finances before you apply, the more confident you'll feel throughout the mortgage process.

💬 Question

When was the last time you checked your credit report?

If you've never looked at it before, it might be worth adding it to your property preparation checklist.

20/07/2026

Why Your Credit Score Matters (But Isn't the Whole Story)

One of the most common questions I get asked is:

"Is my credit score good enough to get a mortgage?"

The honest answer is...

Your credit score is only one part of the picture.

Many people believe lenders simply look at a number and either approve or decline an application.

In reality, mortgage lenders usually consider a much wider range of information, including:

✅ Your repayment history.

✅ Any missed or late payments.

✅ Existing loans and credit commitments.

✅ Your income.

✅ Your affordability.

✅ How you've managed your finances over time.

Two people with the same credit score can receive completely different mortgage decisions because their overall circumstances are different.

That's why it's so important not to assume you won't qualify based on a single number.

💡 Did You Know?

Different lenders use different lending criteria. A lender that isn't the right fit for one applicant doesn't mean another lender won't consider their circumstances differently.

✅ Key Takeaway

Your credit score is an important indicator, but it doesn't tell your whole financial story.

If you're unsure where you stand, it's often worth having a conversation before ruling yourself out.

💬 Question of the Week

Have you ever checked your credit report?

If so, were you surprised by what you found?

I'd love to hear your experience in the comments.

17/07/2026

Friday Insights

Preparation Beats Saving Alone

When people tell me they're hoping to buy a property one day, the first thing they usually mention is how much they need to save.

Saving for a deposit is important—but it's only one part of the picture.

The buyers who are best prepared often spend time understanding:

- How much they may be able to borrow.

- What lenders are likely to look for.

- Their credit profile.

- The documents they'll need.

- The buying process itself.

That preparation can make the journey smoother and help avoid unnecessary setbacks.

Over the past week we've looked at:

📘 What Loan-to-Value means.

🔑 Why a Decision in Principle can be a great first step.

🚫 Why you don't always need a 20% deposit.

Hopefully, one of those posts has helped you feel a little more confident about the process.

Buying a home or investment property can feel overwhelming at first, but knowledge has a way of turning uncertainty into confidence.

The more prepared you are, the better placed you'll be to make informed decisions when the right opportunity comes along.

💬 Friday Question

If you could have one mortgage or property question answered, what would it be?

Leave it in the comments and it might become a future Mortgage Monday or Myth Busters topic.

Have a fantastic weekend!

16/07/2026

Mortgage Myth Busters

Myth: "You need a 20% deposit to buy a property."

This is one of the biggest misconceptions I hear from people thinking about buying a home.

The reality is that there isn't a one-size-fits-all deposit requirement.

While many buyers purchase with deposits of 5%, 10% or more, there are circumstances where it may be possible to buy with a 1% deposit—or even no deposit at all. For example, this could include certain family-assisted mortgage schemes or other specialist lending solutions, depending on eligibility and what's available in the market.

That doesn't mean these options are right for everyone, and they won't be available in every situation. The key point is this:

Don't let assumptions stop you from asking the question.

💡 Did You Know?

Every lender has different criteria, and some mortgage schemes are designed specifically to help buyers who have smaller deposits but can comfortably afford the monthly repayments.

✅ Myth Busted

The amount of deposit you need depends on your circumstances, the type of mortgage you're applying for, and the products available at the time—not on a single rule that applies to everyone.

💬 Question of the Day

Before reading this post, what deposit did you think you needed to buy your first home?

If you've heard a mortgage myth you'd like me to cover in a future post, leave it in the comments.

14/07/2026

Tuesday Key Facts

Always Get a Decision in Principle Before Viewing Properties

One of the biggest mistakes I see is people spending weekends viewing properties before they've spoken to a mortgage broker or secured a Decision in Principle (DIP).

A Decision in Principle is an indication from a lender of how much they may be prepared to lend, based on the information you've provided. It isn't a full mortgage offer, but it's a useful first step in understanding your budget.

Getting a DIP before you start viewing properties can help you:

✅ Understand what you may be able to borrow.

✅ Show estate agents and sellers you're a serious buyer.

✅ Focus your search on properties within your budget.

✅ Reduce the risk of falling in love with a property you later discover isn't affordable.

Every situation is different, and a DIP isn't a guarantee that a mortgage will be approved. Lenders will still carry out full checks before making a formal mortgage offer. But having one in place can make the buying process much smoother.

💡 Did You Know?

Some estate agents may ask whether you already have a Decision in Principle before arranging a viewing or accepting an offer, particularly where demand is high.

✅ Key Fact

A little preparation at the beginning of your property journey can save time, reduce stress and help you buy with confidence.

💬 Question

Did you have a Decision in Principle before viewing your first property, or would this be something new to you?

If you've got a question you'd like featured in a future Tuesday Key Facts, let me know in the comments.

13/07/2026

📘 Mortgage Monday

Understanding Loan-to-Value (LTV)

If you've started looking into buying a property, you've probably come across the term Loan-to-Value (LTV).

It sounds technical, but it's actually quite straightforward.

Loan-to-Value is simply the percentage of the property's value that you borrow from the lender.

Here's an example:

🏡 Property Purchase Price: £250,000

💰 Your Deposit: £25,000

🏦 Mortgage Required: £225,000

In this example, you're borrowing 90% of the property's value, meaning your mortgage is at 90% Loan-to-Value (90% LTV).

Why does LTV matter?

Generally speaking, lenders see lower Loan-to-Value mortgages as lower risk. That can mean access to a wider range of mortgage products and, depending on market conditions, potentially more competitive rates.

Typical deposit levels look like this:

✅ 5% Deposit = 95% LTV

✅ 10% Deposit = 90% LTV

✅ 15% Deposit = 85% LTV

✅ 25% Deposit = 75% LTV

This doesn't mean you should delay buying until you have a huge deposit. Everyone's circumstances, goals and available mortgage options are different. Understanding how LTV works simply helps you make informed decisions.

💡 Did You Know?

Sometimes increasing your deposit by just 5% can open up additional mortgage products, depending on the lender and what's available at the time.

✅ Key Takeaway

Your deposit doesn't just determine whether you can buy—it also plays an important role in the mortgage products you may be able to access.

💬 Question of the Week

Before today, had you heard of Loan-to-Value, or is this the first time you've come across it?

If you have a mortgage or property finance question you'd like me to cover in a future Mortgage Monday, leave it in the comments.

09/07/2026

It was a great meeting last night at the Stoke pin - property investors network to wrap up this series of events.

I look forward to seeing what the future brings for the Stoke property network.

Hi Everyone!

What a fantastic Stoke pin Meeting last night.

Thank you to Micah Davidson for providing an informative finance update for us.

If you would like to find out more and make an enquiry then please email: [email protected]

Thank you
James Wilkinson

Stoke pin Meeting

02/07/2026

MYTH BUSTED: "You need £100,000 to start investing."

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is:

"I'd love to invest in property, but I need to save £100,000 first."

The reality? Most investors don't start with that kind of money.

Property investing isn't about being wealthy before you begin—it's about understanding how to use finance strategically.

Many successful investors started with:
- A realistic deposit
- The right mortgage
- A clear investment strategy
- A team of professionals around them

Waiting until you feel "rich enough" could mean missing opportunities while property prices, rents, and your own experience continue to grow.

Every investor's circumstances are different, so the key is understanding what's possible for you, rather than assuming you're not ready.

Have you ever believed this myth, or is there another property myth you'd like me to bust next?

If you're thinking about buying your first investment property and want to understand your options, feel free to send me a message. I'm always happy to have an informal chat.