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Amanda Curd - Mortgage & Protection Adviser, The Street, Ashwellthorpe (2026)

03/09/2026

One of the questions I get asked all the time is “How much deposit do I actually need to buy a house?”

And there really isn’t one answer that fits everyone.

A lot of people still assume they need to save 10% or even 20% of the purchase price before they can think about buying. That simply isn’t always the case.

There are mortgages available with much smaller deposits. Depending on your circumstances, that could mean a deposit of just a few percent of the purchase price, a product with a set minimum cash deposit, or potentially even a 100% mortgage with no deposit at all.

So why doesn’t everyone just choose the mortgage with the smallest deposit?

Because your deposit is only one part of the picture.

Whatever size deposit you have, a lender will still need to make sure the mortgage is affordable for you. They’ll look at things such as your income, how much you’re looking to borrow, your existing financial commitments, your credit history and whether you’re employed or self-employed.

Some of the low and no-deposit mortgage options also have additional rules about who can apply, so although they’re available, they won’t necessarily be an option for everyone.

Your deposit can also affect the mortgage rates and products available to you, so having a larger deposit can sometimes give you more choice and potentially access to a better rate.

The important thing is not to assume you need to reach a particular savings figure before you speak to someone.

If buying a home is something you’re thinking about, finding out how much you could potentially borrow and what deposit you would actually need is a really sensible place to start. You might find you’re ready sooner than you thought.

If you’d like me to look at your circumstances and talk you through the options, give me a call on 07832 952 891.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY DEBT SECURED ON IT

02/09/2026

🏡 Mortgage application submitted… what happens next?

Getting your mortgage application submitted is a big step, but there’s still quite a bit that happens behind the scenes before you finally get those keys 🔑

So here’s a simple guide to what happens from mortgage application through to completion.

Mortgage application submitted

Once we’ve chosen the right mortgage for you, I’ll submit the full application to the lender along with the supporting documents they’ve requested. This could include payslips, bank statements, accounts or tax documents if you’re self-employed, evidence of your deposit and any other information needed to support your application.

The valuation

The lender will arrange a mortgage valuation to make sure the property is suitable security for the mortgage.

It’s important to remember that the lender’s valuation is primarily for their benefit and isn’t the same as having your own more detailed survey carried out.

If you’d like an additional survey on the condition of the property, this is a good time to arrange one.

Underwriting

The lender will then assess your application, income, credit commitments, supporting documents and the valuation.

Sometimes they’ll have further questions or ask for additional documents. That’s perfectly normal.

I’ll liaise with the lender throughout this stage, answering anything I already have the information for and coming back to you if there’s anything further we need.

Meanwhile, the legal work is happening too

While your mortgage is being assessed, your solicitor will be progressing the conveyancing.

They’ll be dealing with things such as the draft contract, searches, title checks and enquiries with the seller’s solicitor.

Replies will be reviewed and sometimes those replies lead to further enquiries, so there can be quite a bit of back and forth during this stage.

Mortgage offer issued 🎉

Once the lender is satisfied with the application, supporting documents and valuation, your formal mortgage offer can be issued.

This is a huge milestone, but we’re not quite at the keys yet!

And importantly, my job doesn’t stop when your mortgage offer arrives.

I’ll continue to keep an eye on your mortgage rate while the legal work progresses. If your lender reduces its rates and there’s enough time before completion, I’ll look at whether it’s viable and beneficial to switch you onto a lower rate.

I can also liaise with the lender, estate agent and solicitor where appropriate, help with mortgage-related queries and generally keep an eye on things as you move towards completion.

⚠️ One really important thing during this period…

Try to keep your financial circumstances as stable as possible.

Avoid taking out new loans, credit cards, car finance or other significant borrowing without speaking to me first.

Your lender can carry out further checks before completion, so if anything changes with your job, income, credit commitments or financial circumstances, please let me know.

Getting ready to exchange

Once your solicitor is satisfied with the searches, enquiries and legal documentation, they’ll report back to you and arrange for the necessary documents to be signed.

They’ll also advise you about your deposit and when your buildings insurance needs to be in place.

Exchange of contracts ✍️

Once contracts are exchanged, the purchase becomes legally binding and your completion date is agreed.

At this point, you finally know exactly when you’ll be getting those keys!

Completion day 🏡🔑

Your solicitor receives the mortgage funds from your lender and transfers the money required to complete your purchase.

Once completion has been confirmed, the estate agent can release the keys.

And just like that… you’re a homeowner!

There are lots of moving parts between submitting a mortgage application and picking up the keys, which is why my job isn’t simply to find you a mortgage and submit the application.

I’m there throughout the journey, helping you get from application to completion.

If you’re thinking about buying a property and would like some help understanding the mortgage or buying process, feel free to get in touch.

📞 07832 952 891

YOUR HOME MAY BE AT RISK IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP WITH THE REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY DEBTS SECURED ON IT

26/08/2026

A little reminder of what I actually do 👋

Mortgages are rarely just about finding a rate.

Sometimes it’s buying your very first home. Sometimes it’s moving, remortgaging or investing in property. And sometimes your circumstances don’t quite fit neatly into a box.

I can help with:

🏡 First time buyer mortgages
🔑 Home mover mortgages
🏠 Remortgages
🏘️ Buy to let mortgages
🏢 Limited company buy to let
🏘️ HMO and more specialist property finance
🌉 Bridging finance
🏗️ Development finance
🏢 Commercial mortgages
💷 Second charge mortgages
❤️ Life, critical illness and income protection

I also work with clients whose circumstances might be a little more complex, including self employed applicants and those with multiple sources of income.

A big part of my job is simply listening to where you are, understanding what you’re trying to achieve and working out the best way to get you there.

And if you’re not even sure what you need yet, that’s absolutely fine too.

So if property or mortgages are somewhere on your radar, now or in the future, my inbox is always open. Or just give me a call for a chat 📞

📱 07832 952 891

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP WITH THE REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY DEBT SECURED ON IT

19/08/2026

I’ve had several enquiries recently about bridging finance, so I thought it was worth explaining a little more about when it can be useful.

Bridging finance is a short-term form of borrowing which can help when traditional mortgage finance isn’t suitable, or simply can’t be arranged quickly enough.

It can be used for a number of different situations, including:

🏠 Buying a property before your existing property has sold

🔨 Purchasing a property that needs significant renovation before it would qualify for a standard mortgage

🏡 Auction purchases where completion timescales are tight

🏗️ Property refurbishment, conversion or development projects

🏢 Commercial or mixed-use property

💷 Raising funds against an existing property for a specific short-term purpose

One of the most important parts of any bridging application is having a clear and realistic exit strategy from the outset.

That simply means knowing how the bridging loan will be repaid. For example, this could be through the sale of a property, refinancing onto a standard residential, buy-to-let mortgage or commercial mortgage once works are complete, or another clearly identified source of funds.

Bridging finance can be more expensive than conventional mortgage borrowing, so the costs, timescales and exit strategy all need to stack up before going ahead.

Used in the right circumstances, though, it can be an incredibly useful and flexible way of getting a property transaction or project moving.

If you have a property purchase or project in mind and you’re wondering whether bridging finance could work, feel free to get in touch and I can talk you through the options.

📱 07832 952 891

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP WITH REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY DEBT SECURED ON IT

07/08/2026

No two clients are ever the same.

And that’s exactly what I love about my job.

Every person who gets in touch has their own story.

Different backgrounds.
Different families.
Different careers.
Different beliefs.
Different financial situations.
Different goals.

Some are buying their first home. Some are investing. Some are self-employed. Some are rebuilding after difficult times. Some have perfect credit, others don’t.

Every story is different.

That’s why I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.

Before we even start talking about mortgages, I want to understand you. What you’re trying to achieve, what’s important to you and what your future looks like.

One thing I want every client to know is this…

Everyone is welcome here.

Whoever you are, wherever you’ve come from, whatever your circumstances, you’ll never be judged by me.

Money can be an incredibly personal subject, and I know many people feel embarrassed talking about debt, missed payments, divorce, self-employment, or simply feeling like they should have been “better” with money.

Please don’t.

I’ve been in this industry for nearly 25 years. I’ve seen all kinds of situations, and my job isn’t to judge you…it’s to help you find a way forward.

I built my own business because I wanted people to feel like they were dealing with a real person, not just another corporate brand.

My clients aren’t all the same.

Neither am I.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

📞 If you’re looking for a mortgage broker who’ll take the time to understand your story, I’d love to hear from you.

07832 952891

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT

06/08/2026

How long do you need to be in a new job before you can get a mortgage? 🤔

It’s one of the most common questions I’m asked.

The answer is…

There isn’t a single rule.

Every lender has different criteria, so your options can vary depending on your circumstances.

For example:

✅ Some lenders can consider your income before you’ve even started your new job, using a signed contract or offer letter.

✅ Some are happy once you’ve received your first payslip.

✅ Some will consider applicants during their probationary period, while others won’t.

✅ Some have no minimum time with your current employer.

✅ Others require three or even six months in your current role.

✅ Some are more interested in your continuous employment history, rather than how long you’ve been with your current employer.

✅ Some can even use future income if you’re due to start your new role within a certain timeframe.

As you can see, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer.

This is why it’s so important not to rule yourself out before you’ve spoken to a mortgage broker.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that you have to wait six months before you can apply for a mortgage.

Sometimes that’s true.

But very often, it isn’t.

A quick conversation could save you months of waiting unnecessarily.

📞 If you’ve recently changed jobs, you’re about to start a new role, or you’re wondering how your employment affects your mortgage options, feel free to give me a call or WhatsApp me on 07832 952 891.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT

05/08/2026

One of my favourite messages to send…

“Your mortgage offer has been issued.”

People often think that once a mortgage application has been submitted, all I do is sit back and wait.

I promise you… I don’t.

From the very first conversation, I’m on the journey with you.

When you send me links to properties you’ve fallen in love with, I look at every single one. Firstly, because I genuinely love seeing the homes you’re excited about, but also because I’m already looking for anything that could cause problems with a lender.

When you’re ready to make an offer, I’m just as hopeful as you are that it’s accepted. Quite often I’m the one speaking to the estate agent and putting your offer forward, and I love being able to tell you when it’s been accepted.

Then the real work begins.

Gathering documents.

Researching lenders.

Finding the right mortgage.

Submitting the application.

Answering lender queries.

Speaking to underwriters.

Chasing updates.

Keeping you informed every step of the way.

And then comes the waiting…

Trust me, I’m checking for updates just as often as you are.

Because I know what that mortgage offer means.

It’s not just a piece of paper.

It’s the moment your plans become real.

The moment you know your finances are in place.

The moment you’re one step closer to getting the keys to your new home.

So when I get to tell you…

“Your mortgage offer has been issued.”

I’m genuinely excited.

Because after everything we’ve been through together, it feels like a win for both of us.

If you’re starting, or thinking of starting, your home buying journey, feel free to give me a call on

07832 952 891

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP WITH THE REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY DEBT SECURED ON IT

31/07/2026

The Bank of England has decided to hold the base rate at 3.75%.

Whenever there’s a Bank of England announcement, one of the first questions I’m asked is, “What does this mean for mortgage rates?”

The important thing to remember is that the Bank of England base rate and mortgage rates don’t always move together.

Yesterday’s decision was widely expected, but it’s worth noting that three of the nine members of the Monetary Policy Committee actually voted for an increase to 4%.

That tells us there are still concerns about inflation and rising energy costs, so there remains some uncertainty about where interest rates could go over the coming months.

For anyone buying their first home, moving house or remortgaging, the key takeaway is this…

Just because the base rate hasn’t changed doesn’t mean mortgage rates won’t.

Lenders price their fixed-rate mortgages based on a range of factors, not just the Bank of England base rate.

In fact, we’ve already seen some lenders make changes to their rates recently, despite yesterday’s announcement.

If you’re planning to move or your current mortgage deal is coming to an end in the next few months, it’s worth having a conversation sooner rather than later. In many cases, it’s possible to secure a new rate in advance, giving you certainty while still allowing you to potentially benefit if rates improve before your mortgage completes.

Every situation is different, so if you’d like to understand what the current market means for you, feel free to get in touch. I’m always happy to help.

📞 07832 952891

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP WITH THE REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY DEBT SECURED ON IT

29/07/2026

These are honestly some of my favourite messages to send.

Every time a client recommends me to their friends, family or colleagues, it genuinely means the world to me.

It’s the biggest compliment I could ever receive.

When I asked this particular client which gift voucher they’d like as a small thank you for their recommendation, they replied:

“You really do make the whole process so much less stressful, and I rave about you to everyone.”

Reading that genuinely made my day.

I absolutely love what I do, and I’m passionate about helping my clients through what can often feel like a stressful and overwhelming process.

Knowing that they feel supported, and then choosing to recommend me to the people they care about, is something I’ll never take for granted.

So, to everyone who has trusted me with their mortgage or protection and recommended me to others… thank you.

Your support means more than you know.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP WITH THE REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY DEBT SECURED ON IT

Amanda Curd - Mortgage & Protection Adviser

03/09/2026

02/09/2026

26/08/2026

19/08/2026

07/08/2026

06/08/2026

05/08/2026

31/07/2026

29/07/2026

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