Ryan Coulson - Mortgage & Protection Adviser

Ryan Coulson - Mortgage & Protection Adviser Guiding you through the mortgage journey

How much deposit do I actually need to buy my first home?It's the question we get asked more than any other — and the ho...
07/09/2026

How much deposit do I actually need to buy my first home?

It's the question we get asked more than any other — and the honest answer is: it depends on the lender, the property, and your circumstances, but it's usually a lot less than people think.

If you've been putting off finding out because you assume you need 20%, there are options that start from £5,000 or 5%, send a message and we'll talk you through what's realistic for you.



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

🏠 MORTGAGE JARGON BUSTED: What is a DIP?DIP = Decision in Principle (also called an Agreement in Principle)An initial in...
03/09/2026

🏠 MORTGAGE JARGON BUSTED: What is a DIP?

DIP = Decision in Principle (also called an Agreement in Principle)

An initial indication from a lender of how much they might lend you, based on a soft credit check — so it won't affect your credit score.

Usually valid for 30-90 days, a DIP isn't a guarantee, but it shows estate agents and sellers you're a serious buyer.

Thinking about getting one sorted before you start viewing? Get in touch. 👇

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

🏠 MORTGAGE JARGON BUSTED: What is SVR?SVR = Standard Variable RateThe rate your mortgage automatically reverts to once y...
02/09/2026

🏠 MORTGAGE JARGON BUSTED: What is SVR?

SVR = Standard Variable Rate

The rate your mortgage automatically reverts to once your initial deal ends — unless you remortgage first. It's set by your lender, can move at any time, and is usually a good deal higher than your deal rate.

EXAMPLE RATE:
📊 Deal rate: 4.5% → Lender SVR: 7.99%

That's why we flag remortgage reviews well before your current deal expires — nobody wants to drift onto SVR by accident.

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

🏠 MORTGAGE JARGON BUSTED: What is an ERC?ERC = Early Repayment ChargeA fee for repaying your mortgage, remortgaging, or ...
01/09/2026

🏠 MORTGAGE JARGON BUSTED: What is an ERC?

ERC = Early Repayment Charge

A fee for repaying your mortgage, remortgaging, or overpaying beyond your allowance during the fixed or discounted period of your deal.

📊 Charges typically reduce over time:
Year 1 of your deal: ~5%
Year 3 of your deal: ~3%
Once the deal ends: 0%

Why it matters: ERCs can catch people out when life changes — a move, a windfall, a remortgage opportunity. Always know your ERC before you commit.

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

🏠 MORTGAGE JARGON BUSTED: What is APRC?Comparing mortgage deals by the headline rate alone can be misleading. That's whe...
31/08/2026

🏠 MORTGAGE JARGON BUSTED: What is APRC?

Comparing mortgage deals by the headline rate alone can be misleading. That's where APRC comes in.

APRC = Annual Percentage Rate of Charge

It shows the true cost of your mortgage over its full term — interest AND most fees — as one yearly percentage.

EXAMPLE RATE ONLY (the rate you may be offered will depend on your circumstances, LTV and requirements)
📊 A deal at 4.49% might carry a £999 product fee, pushing the APRC to 5.1%. Meanwhile a 4.79% deal with no fee could actually work out cheaper overall.

The takeaway: always compare APRC, not just the rate, when weighing up deals.

Questions about a deal you've seen? Send us a message. 👇

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

🏠 MORTGAGE JARGON BUSTED: What is LTV?You'll see "LTV" everywhere when you're mortgage shopping — but what does it actua...
28/08/2026

🏠 MORTGAGE JARGON BUSTED: What is LTV?

You'll see "LTV" everywhere when you're mortgage shopping — but what does it actually mean, and why does it matter so much?

LTV = Loan to Value

It's simply the size of your mortgage compared to the value of the property, shown as a percentage.

📊 Example:
Property value: £250,000
Mortgage needed: £200,000
LTV = 80%

Why should you care?

The lower your LTV, the better the rates you'll typically be offered. Lenders see a bigger deposit (or more equity) as lower risk — so they reward it with more competitive pricing.

That's why:
✅ A 5% deposit gets you into the market, but usually at higher rates
✅ A 10-15% deposit opens up noticeably better deals
✅ 25%+ deposit or equity often unlocks the best rates on the market

It's not just for buying, either.

If you're remortgaging, your LTV changes as your property value rises and your mortgage balance falls — which is exactly why it's worth reviewing your options rather than assuming you're stuck on the same deal.

Understanding your LTV is one of the simplest ways to know where you stand — and what might be possible.

Got a number in mind and want to know what it means for you? Drop a comment or send us a message. 👇

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

🏡 SELF-EMPLOYED? DON'T ASSUME YOU'LL BE OFFERED LESSWe recently helped a self-employed client who was worried their mort...
28/08/2026

🏡 SELF-EMPLOYED? DON'T ASSUME YOU'LL BE OFFERED LESS

We recently helped a self-employed client who was worried their mortgage options would be limited.

Like a lot of business owners, they kept their salary and dividends deliberately low for tax efficiency — which meant a standard "salary + dividends" assessment would have massively understated what they could actually afford.

Instead, we looked at the bigger picture: their net profit.

By approaching lenders who assess affordability using retained/net profit rather than just drawings, we unlocked a significantly higher borrowing figure — one that actually reflected the strength of their business, not just what they'd chosen to pay themselves.

The result: a mortgage that matched their real financial position, not an artificially low number.

👉 If you're self-employed and think your income structure is holding your mortgage options back, it might just be that the wrong lender is looking at it.

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

Hull City are BACK in the Premier League 🐯⚫🟡Nine years in the making. Today, the Tigers step back out onto the top-fligh...
22/08/2026

Hull City are BACK in the Premier League 🐯⚫🟡

Nine years in the making. Today, the Tigers step back out onto the top-flight stage against Manchester United — and it didn't happen by luck. It took seasons of graft, the right foundations, and a squad built with a plan.

Getting yourself mortgage-ready is exactly the same game.

Whether you're a first-time buyer working towards your deposit, thinking about remortgaging, or ready to move up a division into a bigger home — the clubs that go up are the ones who prepare properly. Same goes for your mortgage.

If you want a game plan for your next move, drop us a message. Let's get you promoted too. 🏠

🏗️ New Build or Older Home — does it change your mortgage? Yes, more than most people expect.Buying new build? Some lend...
20/08/2026

🏗️ New Build or Older Home — does it change your mortgage? Yes, more than most people expect.

Buying new build? Some lenders want extra warranty checks (like NHBC), a few ask for a bigger deposit on flats, and valuations can come in more cautiously — but you might also have access to New Build specific schemes.

Going for something older? You'll usually have a wider pool of lenders to choose from and more room to negotiate on price, but the survey could flag work that needs budgeting for, and non-standard construction (timber frame, thatched roof, etc.) can narrow your lender options.

Neither is "better" — it just changes which lenders and products make sense for you, and what to plan for on top of your purchase price.

🏡 Thinking about either route? Let's chat through what it means for your mortgage before you commit to a property. Drop me a message or give me a call.

Someone asked me yesterday, if remortgaging even matters when rates haven't moved much.Fair question. Here's what I told...
18/08/2026

Someone asked me yesterday, if remortgaging even matters when rates haven't moved much.

Fair question. Here's what I told him.

Even a small rate change can shift your monthly payment more than people expect — and if you've never actually compared your current deal against what's out there, you genuinely don't know what you're leaving on the table.

Most people set their mortgage up once and never look at it again. Same energy as never checking your phone contract, except this one's costing hundreds a month if it's wrong.

Doesn't mean switching is always the right call. Sometimes staying put is the right call. But you can only know that if you actually check.

📌 When did you last review your mortgage?

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