The Swansea Mortgage Broker

28/08/2026

Finding the right mortgage isn’t always about finding the lowest rate.

Different lenders can view the same client very differently, and things like your income structure, debts, credit history, property type and future plans can all affect which options are genuinely suitable.

I’ve put together a fuller guide explaining how I assess the options, compare the true cost of different deals, and take clients from an Agreement in Principle through to mortgage offer.

You can read more and watch the full video here:

See how I assess your circumstances, compare lenders, look beyond the headline rate and guide you from Agreement in Principle through to mortgage offer.

26/08/2026

Different lenders can look at exactly the same client very differently.

Your income, debts, credit history, property type and even how long you’ve been in your job can all affect which lenders are likely to work best for you.

That’s why finding the right mortgage isn’t simply about picking the lowest rate on the screen.

I’ve put together a fuller video explaining how I assess the options and how I go about finding the right mortgage for each person.

You can watch it here:
https://theswanseamortgagebroker.co.uk/how-we-work/

24/08/2026

⭐ Five-Star Spotlight

Being self-employed can sometimes mean there are a few more hoops to jump through when arranging a mortgage.

In Anthony’s case, his requirements changed during the process as well, so there were a few moving parts to work through along the way.

The main thing was making sure we adapted as things changed, kept everything moving and that Anthony always knew what was happening and what the next step was.

Really pleased we were able to get everything over the line.

Thanks Anthony for taking the time to leave such a kind review.

19/08/2026

Mortgage Tip of the Week 🏠

How much of your savings should you actually put towards a house deposit?

Mortgage rates are usually priced in loan-to-value bands, often in 5% steps — for example 90%, 85%, 80% or 75% LTV.

That means increasing your deposit enough to move into the next band can sometimes make a real difference to the deal available, while putting in a little extra without reaching the next band may make very little difference at all.

It’s also important to keep enough back for things like solicitor costs, surveys, fees, home improvements and a sensible rainy-day fund.

I explain a little more in the video below 👇

17/08/2026

⭐ Five-Star Spotlight

Helping first-time buyers isn’t just about finding a mortgage.

A big part of the job is making sure the whole process makes sense, answering the questions that naturally come up along the way and continuing to be available even after the mortgage offer has been issued.

That’s why this review from Charlie and Sam was particularly nice to receive.

Buying your first home can feel like a lot to take in, so I always try to make the process as clear and straightforward as possible from start to finish.

Thank you both for taking the time to leave such a kind review.

14/08/2026

What happens if your mortgage valuation comes back lower than the price you’ve agreed?

It can feel like bad news, but it doesn’t automatically mean the mortgage has been declined or that the purchase has to fall apart.

A lower valuation can affect:

• the loan-to-value bracket your mortgage falls into
• the mortgage product or interest rate available
• how much deposit you may need
• whether it’s worth renegotiating the agreed purchase price

The important thing is not to panic or make a decision based purely on the valuation figure.

Work through what the new figures actually mean for you first. Sometimes the impact is relatively small; in other cases, it can materially change whether the purchase still makes sense.

It’s one of those situations where understanding the numbers properly before deciding what to do can make a big difference.

12/08/2026

⭐ Client Success Story

Sometimes the most important part of the job has very little to do with choosing a mortgage lender.

In this case, the Memorandum of Sale contained a number of completely bespoke deadlines and conditions around things like the mortgage offer, valuation, survey, searches and exchange.

On the face of it, they may have looked like simple target dates. In reality, some of them depended on lenders, solicitors, surveyors and other third parties — and if they weren’t met, the wording potentially left the buyer exposed after already committing time, money and effort to the purchase.

With the client’s consent, I went back to the estate agent and discussed the terms in detail so that expectations could be realigned from the outset.

The aim wasn’t to create friction. It was to make sure the client fully understood what they were agreeing to and wasn’t placed at a disadvantage because of deadlines that were not entirely within their control.

That could easily have become a situation where the client paid for surveys, searches and legal work, only to find the property being put back on the market because everyone had started the transaction with different expectations.

This is a good example of how I try to work with clients.

It isn’t just about arranging the mortgage and moving on. It’s about understanding the wider transaction, discussing potential issues properly, stepping in where needed and making sure the advice supports the client’s longer-term plans as well as the immediate mortgage.

The business has always been built around positive client outcomes — and sometimes that means doing a little more than simply submitting the application.

10/08/2026

⭐ Five-Star Spotlight

Five years after helping Shauna and Josh buy their first home, they got back in touch when it was time to remortgage.

We’d stayed in touch during that time, so it was really nice to be able to help them again when their next mortgage decision came around.

That kind of repeat business means a lot because it shows that the support and advice given first time around was remembered years later.

Thank you Shauna and Josh for coming back to me again and for taking the time to leave such a lovely review.

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07/08/2026

Can you still get a mortgage if you’ve had credit problems?

Potentially, yes.

Missed payments, defaults, CCJs, arrangements to pay and other credit issues don’t all get treated the same way by mortgage lenders.

What usually matters is:

✅ What the issue was
✅ How long ago it happened
✅ How much was involved
✅ Whether it’s been settled
✅ Your deposit and affordability
✅ What your credit history has looked like since

The important thing is understanding your position before making mortgage applications, rather than applying to different lenders and hoping one will accept it.

I’ve put together a straightforward guide explaining how bad credit mortgages work and what lenders may look at:

👇

https://theswanseamortgagebroker.co.uk/bad-credit-mortgage/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=content_distribution&utm_content=bad_credit_guide

03/08/2026

⭐ Five-Star Spotlight

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is seeing clients come back years later - not just for another mortgage, but because they know they'll receive honest advice.

Jonathan has trusted me with multiple mortgages and remortgages over the past 10+ years. More recently, he came back for further borrowing and to review another part of his mortgage.

After looking at all the options, the best advice wasn't for me to arrange a new mortgage at all. Instead, I recommended a simple product switch directly with his existing lender because it was the option that would save him the most money.

That's the way I've always wanted to run my business.

I'd rather build long-term relationships based on trust than recommend something simply because it generates a fee. If the right advice means I earn nothing, then that's still the right advice.

My hope is that by doing the right thing today, clients will feel confident coming back whenever they need help in the future.

Thank you, Jonathan, for your continued trust over the years and for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. It really does mean a lot.

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