Alessandro Pratolongo, Mortgage Adviser - Forge Financial Solutions Ltd

18/02/2026

Mortgage affordability isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Every lender works differently. Some will use a second job (some only part of it), some accept Universal Credit and some don’t. Overtime and bonuses can count fully, partly, or not at all.

Even how long they’ll lend for varies — some up to retirement age, some beyond.

So if one lender gives you a figure, it doesn’t mean that’s the final answer. There may be other options out there 👍

Forge Financial Solutions Limited is an Appointed Representative of The Openwork Partnership a trading style of Openwork Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
Approved by The Openwork Partnership on 17/02/2026

17/02/2026

Forge Financial Solutions Limited is an Appointed Representative of The Openwork
Partnership a trading style of Openwork Limited which is authorised and regulated by
the Financial Conduct Authority

We’d love to hear from you — scan to review!

07/01/2026

17/08/2024

Divorce can have a significant impact on your mortgage, here are some of the key impacts to consider 🤔:

🏡 Ownership of the property: If you jointly own the property with your ex-spouse, you'll need to decide how to divide the ownership. You may choose to sell the property and split the proceeds, or one of you may choose to buy out the other's share.

💷 Mortgage repayments: If you have a joint mortgage, you and your ex-spouse are both responsible for making the repayments. You'll need to decide how to split the payments or if one of you will take over the mortgage.

💯 Credit score: If you miss mortgage repayments or default on the mortgage, it can impact both of your credit scores. This could make it more difficult for either of you to obtain credit in the future.

📄 Affordability: If you decide to keep the property and take over the mortgage, you'll need to ensure that you can afford the repayments on your own.

🧾 Additional costs: There may be additional costs associated with divorce and the division of property, such as legal fees, valuation fees, and transfer fees. These should be factored into your planning.

Overall, divorce can be a complicated and emotional process, especially when it comes to your home and mortgage. 🏡 It's important to seek professional advice, from experts like us, to understand your options and make informed decisions.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.



Approved by The Openwork Partnership on [05.08.2024]

24/05/2024

✨✨ A lovely gift from happy client, always appreciated ✨✨

It took this client a little longer to find their perfect home 🏡 but we got there in the end. 🥳

If you need any mortgage or protection advice please feel to get in touch and I’ll be more than happy to help.

22/02/2024

Not all mortgages are made equally, so the first one you see may not be the one for you 😮

We can help you compare the different mortgages available to you

Comparing the rates, terms, and fine print, helping you assess which would be the one for you

For our tailored approach to mortgages, get in touch 📱

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.


Approved by The Openwork Partnership on [21.02.2024]

29/01/2024

Planning on moving home but your remortgage is also due? 🤔

Depending on when you're planning to move you may wish to hold off on remortgaging so that you don't have to pay out either any early exit fees or pay for setting up a new mortgage deal

However if moving is more likely to be within 12 months or a little longer you could opt for a 2 year fixed deal instead of being on your lender's standard variable rate for longer than necessary

Finally, you could opt for a 5 year fixed if you found a suitable deal and potentially port it to your new home when you're ready to move.

If you'd like to discuss your options with one of our friendly experts give us a call or drop us a message 📱

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.


Approved by The Openwork Partnership on [23.1.24]

20/01/2024

Mortgage repayments are calculated using a combination of factors, primarily the loan amount, interest rate, and loan term.

Here's a general overview of how mortgage repayments are typically calculated:

💷 Loan Amount: This is the total amount borrowed from the lender to purchase a property. It is the principal amount of the mortgage.

🏦 Interest Rate: The interest rate is the percentage charged by the lender on the loan amount. It is the cost of borrowing the money. Interest rates can be fixed (remain constant over the loan term) or variable (may change over time).

⏳ Loan Term: The loan term refers to the length of time over which the mortgage is repaid. It is typically expressed in years. Common loan terms are 15, 20, or 30 years.

To calculate mortgage repayments, a common method is to use an amortisation formula or an online mortgage calculator. The formula takes into account these factors and provides the monthly repayment amount. The formula considers the interest rate and loan term to determine the portion of the repayment that goes toward interest and the portion that goes toward reducing the principal balance.

Keep in mind that this is a simplified explanation, and there may be variations in calculations depending on the specific terms and conditions of the mortgage loan. If you'd like to know more to understand your mortgage repayments, get in touch with our team 📱

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.



Approved by The Openwork Partnership on [08.01.24]

17/01/2024

Your Remortgage could be sorted from the comfort of your sofa using your mobile phone 🤩

From a video or phone call from us, our process is mobile friendly, and emails sent directly to your phone

So that's less time getting to multiple appointments, and chasing up details when it's all accessed in a few clicks 🥳

Let us help you make easy work of your remortgage 💙

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.



Approved by The Openwork Partnership on [08.01.24]

09/01/2024

When it comes to what mortgage lenders are looking for, they're all different, and they all look at a wide range of elements of your application. However, here are the top 5 things they will be looking at and for:

1️⃣ Verification of Income: Prove you earn what you say. For employees, it's payslips, P60, and bank statements. If self-employed, show two years of accounts. A broker can help, even with limited trading history.

2️⃣ Other Income: Bonuses, benefits, pensions - different lenders consider varying amounts. Our specialists can recommend the most suitable options for you.

3️⃣ Deposit: Lenders vary on deposit requirements. Aim higher for more deals. Average in the UK is 15%, but some allow as low as 5% (95% LTV) or even 0%.

4️⃣ Affordability: Calculated as typically 4 x your income, but it can vary, so always check with an expert. A lower Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI) broadens your deal options. Keep DTI under 30% for favourable terms.

5️⃣ Credit History: Manage it wisely. Lenders check credit usage, payment history, recent searches, public records, linked finances, and address history. Consult our specialists for tailored advice.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.



Approved by The Openwork Partnership on [08/01/24]

06/01/2024

The main types of mortgages you'll hear about are, fixed rate, tracker, discounted & standard variable rate

👨🏻‍🔧 Fixed Rate - A fixed rate mortgage applies a consistent interest rate for an initial period, typically lasting 2, 3, 5, or more years. Unlike other mortgages that can fluctuate with changes in the base rate, a fixed rate mortgage maintains the same interest rate until the agreed-upon deal period comes to an end.

🛤️ Tracker - A tracker mortgage is a type of variable-rate mortgage where the interest rate is directly linked or "tracks" an external interest rate, such as the Bank of England Base Rate. Tracker mortgages often have shorter periods of commitment, making it easier to switch to a different mortgage if you wish to do so promptly. However, it's important to note that choosing a tracker mortgage entails accepting a certain level of risk, when it comes to potential interest rate increases.

🎟️ Discount - In the case of a discounted variable-rate mortgage, your interest rate will be determined as a fixed percentage below the lender's SVR. With this type of mortgage, your monthly payments may fluctuate. An advantage is having a lower interest rate compared to the lender's SVR throughout the agreed duration, but consider that the lender's SVR might increase during the mortgage term, potentially leading to higher repayments.

🕴🏼Standard variable Rate (SVR) - A SVR mortgage entails an interest rate that's solely determined by the lender, such as a bank or building society. The SVR may be influenced to some extent by the Bank of England's base rate, but not directly linked to it. An advantage of being on your lender's SVR is that there are typically no early repayment charges, & arrangement fees tend to be lower. Your interest rate can increase, sometimes without prior warning, making it challenging to budget for the future.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.


Approved by The Openwork Partnership on [20.12.2023]