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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

Ben Patten - Finance Advice Centre - Mortgage Advisor

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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.”

10/06/2026

Why Some Lenders Want More Than 3 Months' Bank Statements

Whilst many lenders ask for 3 months' bank statements, some may require a longer history.

This is more common where:
• Income varies from month to month
• Overtime, bonuses or commission are involved
• The applicant is self-employed
• Additional affordability checks are needed

Looking at a longer period helps lenders build a clearer picture of income and spending patterns.

Every lender has slightly different requirements, which is why document requests can vary from case to case.

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.

08/06/2026

Why Mortgage Deals Can Disappear Quickly

Seen a mortgage rate advertised one day and gone the next?

Mortgage products can be withdrawn or changed at short notice for a variety of reasons, including:
• Changes in market conditions
• Changes in funding costs
• High demand from borrowers
• Lenders reaching lending targets

This is why a rate available today may not be available tomorrow.

If you've found a suitable deal, it's often worth acting promptly rather than assuming it will still be there weeks later.

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.

05/06/2026

Soft Credit Check vs Hard Credit Check

Not all credit checks are the same.

A soft credit check allows a lender to review some information on your credit file without leaving a visible footprint that affects future applications.

A hard credit check is more detailed and is usually carried out when you submit a full application. This search will normally be visible on your credit report.

In simple terms:
• Soft search = initial assessment
• Hard search = formal application stage

Understanding the difference can help you feel more confident when 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.

03/06/2026

Why Different Lenders Offer Different Borrowing Amounts

Have you ever wondered why one lender might offer £250,000 while another offers £300,000?

Every lender uses its own affordability model.

They may assess things differently, including:
• Income sources
• Overtime, bonuses and commission
• Existing credit commitments
• Household expenditure
• Future affordability stress tests

As a result, the maximum borrowing available can vary significantly between lenders.

This is why it's important to look beyond a single lender when exploring your 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.

01/06/2026

Why Applications Can Be Declined After an Agreement in Principle

An Agreement in Principle (AIP) is a useful first step, but it isn't a guarantee that a mortgage will be approved.

An AIP is usually based on limited information and initial checks.

Once a full application is submitted, the lender will carry out:
• Detailed affordability checks
• Full credit assessment
• Document verification
• Property valuation
• Underwriting review

This means it's possible for a lender to reach a different decision once all the information has been assessed.

An AIP is a good indication, but the full application is where the final decision is made.

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.

29/05/2026

What Is Loan to Value (LTV)?

Loan to Value, often shortened to LTV, is the percentage of the property value you’re borrowing.

For example:
• A £180,000 mortgage on a £200,000 property would be 90% LTV
• The remaining 10% would usually come from your deposit

LTV matters because it can affect:
• The mortgage rates available
• Which lenders may consider the application
• The overall options available to you

In general, a larger deposit often means lower LTV and access to more competitive products.

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.

27/05/2026

Why Available Credit Still Matters

Even if you don’t actively use your credit cards or overdrafts, lenders may still take them into account.

This is because available credit can affect how lenders assess overall financial commitments and risk.

They may consider:
• Total credit limits available
• Existing balances
• Potential future borrowing exposure

In some cases, large unused credit limits can influence affordability calculations.

It’s another example of why mortgage assessments look at the wider financial picture, not just income alone.

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.

25/05/2026

What Is a Gifted Deposit Letter?

If part of your deposit is being gifted by family, most lenders will ask for a gifted deposit letter.

This is used to confirm:
• Who the gift is from
• That the money is a genuine gift
• That it does not need to be repaid
• That the person gifting the funds won’t have an interest in the property

Lenders usually require this as part of their checks before the mortgage completes.

Having this prepared early can help avoid delays later in the process.

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.

22/05/2026

Why Some Properties Are Harder to Mortgage

Not all properties fit every lender’s criteria.

Some property types can be more difficult to mortgage, including:
• Flats above commercial premises
• Non-standard construction properties
• Short leasehold properties
• Some ex-local authority homes

This is usually because certain properties are seen as higher risk or harder to resell if the lender ever needed to recover the loan.

Different lenders have different property criteria, which is why lender choice can be especially important in these cases.

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.

20/05/2026

What If You Change Jobs During a Mortgage Application?

Changing jobs during a mortgage application doesn’t always mean the application will fail, but it can affect how a lender assesses the case.

Lenders may review:
• Your new salary and contract
• Whether the role is permanent
• Any probation period
• Stability within the same industry

Some lenders are more flexible than others when it comes to employment changes during the process.

This is why it’s important to update your broker or lender if your circumstances change.

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

Website

https://financeadvicecentre.co.uk/

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