Ian Cowie - Mortgage & Protection Advisor

27/05/2026

Potentially quite an exciting development for would be first time buyers.

The Scottish government has launched the First Homes Fund for those looking to get on the property ladder.

02/02/2026

OPEN VIEWINGS - PROPERTIES FOR SALE – 28, 29, 30, 35, 37 Walliwall Road, KIRKWALL
The Association would like to extend an invitation to interested parties to view properties at Walliwall Road, Kirkwall, that are available to purchase through the Scottish Governments New Supply Shared Equity Scheme.
At a time when it is becoming increasingly difficult for people to move into home ownership or to find more suitable accommodation there are two bedroom properties available from as little as £105,000 whilst 3 bedroom properties are available from £120,000 (subject to eligibility criteria).
No bookings are necessary and staff will be on site at the following times:-
Friday 30th January between 12pm & 2pm
Saturday 31st January between 12pm & 3pm
These properties, located within the wider Walliwall development scheme, including Liberator Close & Drive, with access off the Old Finstown Road, have been built to a very high standard by local contractors.
We look forward to seeing you however if you are not able to attend on either day please contact us at the Associations office by phone on 875253 Ext 511 or email at [email protected]. Further information is also available at the following link :-
https://www.ohal.org.uk/docs/id459-New%20Supply%20Shared%20Equity%20-%20Advertising.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawPkavlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEerL0bEp1_zjNCkD6kZGc8tS2Bfo4Bh9_hrVoW49XSzzCDYYvApp8Bz7-23X0_aem_PrbyY0-6enCeoUWPIdCHwg

26/12/2025

Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas! Looking forward to helping many more families in 2026. All the best x

07/09/2025

This now includes first time buyers as a priority group

Get a LIFT onto the property ladder in Scotland.

Do you want to buy a home but don’t think you can afford the full price? You may be eligible for up to 40% towards the price of a property with the Scottish Government’s LIFT Open Market Shared Equity scheme*.

Find out more and apply online: https://linkhousing.org.uk/lift

*Eligibility criteria apply. Always seek independent financial advice.

01/05/2025

🔍 Check Your Credit File to Get Mortgage Ready 🏡

If you're thinking about buying a home, don’t skip this step: CHECK YOUR CREDIT FILE 📢

Lenders verify your credit status with three main credit reference agencies—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—so it’s important you know what they’re seeing.

**Why it matters:**
✅ Shows lenders how you manage credit
⚠️ Helps you fix any mistakes in advance
💷 Gives you a better shot at the best deals

Thinking of getting on the property ladder? 🪜 Start with your credit file!

You can check your reports directly — or even view all three at once.

Need help checking your credit file? Just drop me a message!

29/04/2025

💬 Just a quick life tip — because adulting is hard enough without added stress.

If you're someone who relies on your income to pay the bills, support your family, or just keep things ticking over — it's worth taking a minute to think about Income Protection and Life Insurance.

✅ Income Protection can step in if you're ever too ill or injured to work for a while — helping cover lost earnings and giving you time to recover without the added pressure of finances.

✅ Life Insurance is about peace of mind — knowing that if the worst happened, your loved ones would be financially supported at a really difficult time.

I used to think these things were for "later down the line" — but the truth is, life doesn’t always give us that kind of warning.

If you've never looked into it, now might be the right time. It's not about expecting the worst — it's about being ready, just in case.

Feel free to drop me a message if you want to chat about it — happy to share what I’ve learned 💙

📞 07846 976 750
📧 [email protected]
or Feel free to drop me a message on WhatsApp 📱

22/04/2025

Thinking about buying your first home? 🤔
The BBC just shared 5 great tips for getting on the property ladder – especially helpful if you're struggling with deposits or affordability.

1. **Start saving early** – Use a Lifetime ISA to get a 25% government bonus (up to £1,000 a year).

2. **Explore low-deposit mortgages** – Some lenders now offer 95–100% mortgages if you’ve got a good rent payment history.

3. **Shared ownership** – Buy part of a home and rent the rest, with the option to increase your share over time. Shared equity rather than ownership is usually more typical in Scotland.

4. **Income boost mortgages** – Add family members to your mortgage to increase borrowing power (they don’t have to co-own the home).

5. **Professional mortgages** – Some careers (like teaching, NHS, or accountancy) unlock better borrowing terms from specialist lenders.

Full article from the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy7n9441r5o

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📞 07846 976 750
📧 [email protected]

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up the repayments on your mortgage.

Mortgage experts share their tips for anyone starting out on the journey to owning their own home.

05/04/2025

If you are a first time buyer, now is a great time to start looking. There's £5k and 0% deposit solutions available, as well the 2025 LIFT scheme has just gone live. Please share and feel free to get in touch if you'd like to learn more.

📞 07846 976 750
📧 [email protected]

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up the repayments on your mortgage.

22/03/2025

❗️The lowest interest rate doesn't always mean the best option❗️You've got to fully understand the charges and fees included in a mortgage deal and work out the true cost over the duration✅️It may also be worthwhile considering what other lenders can offer✅️

If you are coming to the end of your current mortgage deal and looking for your next one, get in touch, i'd be happy to go through things with you. 📞 07846 976750 or 💻[email protected]

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with the repayments on your mortgage.

24/01/2025

Have supported a few of these now. An amazing opportunity