Ben Patten - Finance Advice Centre - Mortgage Advisor

Ben Patten - Finance Advice Centre - Mortgage Advisor Finance Advice Centre, CeMap qualified, Mortgage advisor who specialises in adverse bad credit, such

Ben Patten

Ben is a CeMAP (Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice) qualified mortgage broker with over 20 years experience in financial services. He takes huge pride in getting his clients the best possible outcome. He has access to many specialist lenders that require an introduction from a financial professional so he can help even very complex adverse credit cases. Ben’s specialist area

is adverse bad credit, situations like late payments, CCJs, defaults, bankruptcies, IVAs and debt management plans. He also specialises in getting self-employed clients on the property ladder and can help limited company directors, contractors, bridging, second charges, as well as being able to organise insurance like life insurance, critical illness protection, income protection, and family income benefit. Ben Says

“I have over 20 years experience in financial services, specialising in adverse credit. Within this time I have developed a great knowledge about the challenges that people face and what impact this can have on their lives as well as their finances. My role is not to judge, as people sometimes do, I support and empathise with my clients and enjoy finding the most suitable and best solutions for their needs.”

BUYING A NEW BUILD WITH A 5% DEPOSIT?Think you need a large deposit to buy a new build?Not necessarily.There are mortgag...
02/09/2026

BUYING A NEW BUILD WITH A 5% DEPOSIT?

Think you need a large deposit to buy a new build?

Not necessarily.

There are mortgage options that can allow eligible buyers to purchase certain new-build properties with just a 5% deposit, meaning the mortgage covers up to 95% of the property's value.

However, new-build lending criteria can be different from buying an established property.

Lenders may consider:

• Whether you're buying a house or flat
• The loan to value required
• Your income and affordability
• Developer incentives
• The property and development itself

Not every lender offers 95% mortgages on new builds, so having a smaller deposit can make finding the right lender particularly important.

I am a whole of market adviser. This means I can access every deal on the market & will recommend the most suitable one available to you.

Contact me today for your free mortgage consultation.

As a mortgage is secured against your home, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments.

CAN YOU REALLY BORROW 5.5× YOUR SALARY?You may have heard that some mortgage lenders can offer 5.5 times your income – o...
31/08/2026

CAN YOU REALLY BORROW 5.5× YOUR SALARY?

You may have heard that some mortgage lenders can offer 5.5 times your income – or potentially even more.

But higher income multiples aren't available to everyone.

Whether you qualify can depend on factors such as:

• Your income level
• Your employment or profession
• Your deposit size
• Your existing financial commitments
• Your credit profile
• The lender's affordability assessment

For example, someone earning £50,000 might assume their maximum mortgage is around £225,000 based on 4.5× income.

At 5.5× income, that could potentially increase to £275,000 – subject to affordability and lender criteria.

Different lenders can offer very different borrowing amounts, which is why it's worth understanding what's available based on your individual circumstances.

I am a whole of market adviser. This means I can access every deal on the market & will recommend the most suitable one available to you.

Contact me today for your free mortgage consultation.

As a mortgage is secured against your home, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments.

**Had a default or CCJ?**A default or CCJ doesn’t automatically mean you can’t get a mortgage.When lenders assess previo...
28/08/2026

**Had a default or CCJ?**

A default or CCJ doesn’t automatically mean you can’t get a mortgage.

When lenders assess previous credit issues, the details can make a significant difference.

They may look at:

• **The amount** – smaller credit issues may be treated differently
• **The date** – recent and historic issues aren’t always viewed the same way
• **Whether it’s settled** – and when it was settled
• **Your deposit** – the amount you’re putting in can affect your options
• **Your credit history since** – lenders may look at how you’ve managed your finances afterwards

And importantly, **every lender treats defaults and CCJs differently.**

So if you’ve had credit problems in the past, don’t assume an old default or CCJ automatically rules you out.

I am a whole of market adviser. This means I can access every deal on the market & will recommend the most suitable one available to you.

Contact me today for your free mortgage consultation.

As a mortgage is secured against your home, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments.

**On a visa and looking for a mortgage?**You may have more mortgage options than you realise.Some lenders can consider e...
26/08/2026

**On a visa and looking for a mortgage?**

You may have more mortgage options than you realise.

Some lenders can consider eligible visa holders with considerably smaller deposits than many people expect – and you don’t necessarily need to have Indefinite Leave to Remain.

What may be available will depend on factors including:

• Your visa type
• How long you’ve lived in the UK
• How long remains on your visa
• Your income and employment
• Your deposit
• Your overall credit profile

Mortgage criteria for visa holders varies considerably between lenders, which is why it’s worth checking your individual circumstances rather than assuming you need to wait until you have ILR or have saved a much larger deposit.

I am a whole of market adviser. This means I can access every deal on the market & will recommend the most suitable one available to you.

Contact me today for your free mortgage consultation.

As a mortgage is secured against your home, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments.

**Think you wouldn’t get a mortgage?**You might be ruling yourself out too soon.We regularly speak to people who assume ...
24/08/2026

**Think you wouldn’t get a mortgage?**

You might be ruling yourself out too soon.

We regularly speak to people who assume they won’t be eligible for a mortgage because they:

• Have existing loans or credit card debt
• Have defaults or CCJs
• Are self-employed
• Have recently changed jobs
• Only have a small deposit
• Are living in the UK on a visa

None of these automatically means you can’t get a mortgage.

Different lenders have very different criteria, and something that one lender won’t accept may be perfectly acceptable to another.

The important thing is understanding your circumstances properly before deciding there are no options available.

I am a whole of market adviser. This means I can access every deal on the market & will recommend the most suitable one available to you.

Contact me today for your free mortgage consultation.

As a mortgage is secured against your home, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments.

Your Circumstances Haven’t Changed – But Your Mortgage Options Might HaveMortgage criteria changes all the time.That mea...
21/08/2026

Your Circumstances Haven’t Changed – But Your Mortgage Options Might Have

Mortgage criteria changes all the time.

That means an answer you received a few months ago may not necessarily be the same answer you’d receive today.

We’re seeing changing options for applicants including:

• People with shorter self-employed trading histories
• Visa holders and foreign nationals
• Buyers with smaller deposits
• Shared Ownership applicants
• People with previous credit issues

So if you looked into getting a mortgage previously and were told you didn’t qualify, it could be worth reviewing your position again.

Your income may not have changed.

Your deposit may not have changed.

But the mortgage options available to you might have.

I am a whole of market adviser. This means I can access every deal on the market & will recommend the most suitable one available to you.

Contact me today for your free mortgage consultation.

As a mortgage is secured against your home, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments.

Mortgage Myth: You Need ILR to Get a MortgageIf you’re living and working in the UK on a visa, you may have been told yo...
19/08/2026

Mortgage Myth: You Need ILR to Get a Mortgage

If you’re living and working in the UK on a visa, you may have been told you need Indefinite Leave to Remain before you can get a mortgage.

That isn’t always true.

Some lenders can consider applicants on qualifying visas, including certain **Skilled Worker and Health & Care Worker visas**, as well as applicants with **Pre-Settled Status**.

Depending on your circumstances, there are even options that may be available with a **10% deposit**.

Lenders can look at factors including:

• Your visa type and time remaining
• How long you’ve lived in the UK
• Your income and employment
• Your deposit
• Your overall credit profile

Not having ILR doesn’t automatically mean you have to wait before exploring your mortgage options.

I am a whole of market adviser. This means I can access every deal on the market & will recommend the most suitable one available to you.

Contact me today for your free mortgage consultation.

As a mortgage is secured against your home, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments.

Mortgage Myth: You Always Need Two Years’ Accounts If You’re Self-EmployedIf you’ve only been self-employed for one year...
17/08/2026

Mortgage Myth: You Always Need Two Years’ Accounts If You’re Self-Employed

If you’ve only been self-employed for one year, you may have assumed you need to wait another year before applying for a mortgage.

That isn’t always the case.

Whilst many lenders typically want at least two years’ trading history, there are lenders that can consider applicants with **just one year’s accounts or tax return**, subject to their criteria.

They may look at things such as:

• Your previous employment and experience
• How long the business has been trading
• Your latest income figures
• The sustainability of the business
• Your overall credit profile and affordability

So if you’ve recently become self-employed, don’t automatically assume you have to wait.

I am a whole of market adviser. This means I can access every deal on the market & will recommend the most suitable one available to you.

Contact me today for your free mortgage consultation.

As a mortgage is secured against your home, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments.

Mortgage Broker vs Bank: What’s the Difference?Going directly to your bank and speaking to a mortgage broker are two ver...
14/08/2026

Mortgage Broker vs Bank: What’s the Difference?

Going directly to your bank and speaking to a mortgage broker are two very different things.

Your bank can only recommend mortgage products available from that bank.

A whole of market mortgage broker can compare products from lenders across the market to find an option suitable for your circumstances.

That can be particularly valuable if you have:
• Complex or multiple income sources
• Self-employed income
• Previous credit issues
• Unusual employment circumstances
• A property that doesn’t fit standard criteria

It’s not just about finding a rate. It’s about finding the right lender for the whole application.

I am a whole of market adviser. This means I can access every deal on the market & will recommend the most suitable one available to you.

Contact me today for your free mortgage consultation.

As a mortgage is secured against your home, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments.

Why Existing Mortgage Payments Can Help Your ApplicationIf you already have a mortgage and have maintained the payments ...
12/08/2026

Why Existing Mortgage Payments Can Help Your Application

If you already have a mortgage and have maintained the payments well, that history can sometimes help when you’re moving home or remortgaging.

Lenders may look at:
• Your mortgage payment history
• Whether payments have been made on time
• Your current monthly payment
• How the proposed new payment compares

A strong track record of managing an existing mortgage can form part of the overall assessment of your application.

It won’t replace affordability or credit checks, but good mortgage conduct can be useful supporting evidence.

I am a whole of market adviser. This means I can access every deal on the market & will recommend the most suitable one available to you.

Contact me today for your free mortgage consultation.

As a mortgage is secured against your home, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments.

Address

Chatsworth House, Prime Business Centre, Raynesway
Derby
DE217SR

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 8:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 8:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 8:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 8:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 8:30pm
Saturday 8:30am - 5:30pm

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