Youngstone Financial Services Limited

26/05/2026

🏡 OUR FREE FIRST TIME BUYER WEBINAR IS BACK 🏡
Monday 1st June @ 6:30pm
Our highly reviewed webinar is free to attend and contains lots of useful information for anyone looking to purchase their first home in 2026 or 2027.
If you would like to attend, please register your interest by emailing [email protected] so a Zoom link can be sent to you.
We look forward to seeing you there!

26/05/2026

Have you recently had a mortgage application declined?

If you've been declined for a mortgage, it can be a real knock to your financial confidence, especially when it's because you didn't meet a criteria point you weren't even aware of before applying.

Every single mortgage is unique, and each lender has different things they look for or deem to be unacceptable. We are criteria experts and we can match you with lenders that offer solutions for your circumstances. This includes adverse credit and non standard construction on your property.

Get in touch and let's see what we can do for you. 🏡

[email protected]

25/05/2026

Why would a homeowner end up on a Standard Variable Rate??

The Standard Variable Rate (sometimes shown as SVR) is often the default rate a borrower moves to once their initial fixed or tracker mortgage term comes to an end, if they don't remortgage to a new deal.

This means that a significant portion of the residential mortgage market is directly exposed to changes that follow the Bank of England Base Rate. Not so bad when it's going down, but can be a nasty shock if it goes up!

We make contact with our existing clients well in advance of their current deal expiring to ensure there is enough time to explore all of the options available to them. However when new clients contact us, they have sometimes been on their SVR for weeks, months, or even years!

So, why do people stay on an SVR? Well, moving to a new mortgage deal can be time-consuming, and some homeowners may simply forget or choose not to remortgage for personal reasons. Others might not qualify for a new deal due to a change in their financial circumstances, such as being self-employed or having a lower income than before.

Whatever the reason, being on an SVR can be very costly. These rates are typically much higher than new fixed rate deals, and they can leave homeowners vulnerable to sudden increases in their monthly payments, particularly when the Bank of England Base Rate rises. For many people, remortgaging to a new deal can result in significant monthly savings. If you'd like to talk about coming off or avoiding your SVR at the end of your current deal, give us a shout!

[email protected]

A family run financial services company based in north-Hampshire, Youngstone Financial Services offers comprehensive, professional advice on mortgages & finance for individuals.

21/05/2026

Are you (or is someone you know) a serving member of the UK Armed Forces dreaming of home ownership?

The Forces Help to Buy (FHTB) scheme could make that dream a reality!

The scheme was launched in 2014 and then made a permanent policy in January 2023. FHTB is designed to assist service personnel to overcome the financial hurdles of homeownership. Whether you're a first-time buyer or need to relocate due to assignment, this scheme offers significant support. Here's how it works:

🪖 Interest-Free Loan: you can borrow up to 50% of your annual salary, capped at a maximum of £25,000, completely interest-free.

🪖 Flexible Use: this loan can be used for various costs associated with buying a home, including your deposit, solicitor's fees, estate agent fees, and even your stamp duty!

🪖 Repayment: the loan is typically repaid over a period of 10 years or less, with monthly deductions from your pay.

🪖 To be eligible, you generally need to be in regular service, have completed a minimum period of service (often 1 or 2 years depending on your branch), and have at least six months of service remaining at the time of application. The property must be for your own immediate occupation or that of your immediate family.

The FHTB scheme acknowledges the unique challenges faced by military personnel and offers them a flexible and accessible way to get onto the property ladder. If you're a serving member of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, or Royal Air Force, it's definitely worth exploring how FHTB can help you achieve your homeownership goals.

18/05/2026

Following yesterday's post about out of date insurance policies after big life changes, I've had a discussion this morning with a lovely gentleman who took out his life and critical illness insurance policy 12 years ago when he was a smoker, but he has now been a non-smoker for 10 years!

I'm now able to look at options for some updated cover for him on non-smoker rates, as well as ensuring that his two children will also be covered against critical illnesses!

If you would like a free review of your protection, or want to ask if a life change means you could be getting different cover, please send us a message.

17/05/2026

Is your insurance out of date??

When life changes, your insurance might need to!

BUT if you haven't reviewed yours in quite some time, you're not alone... Legal and General did a study that showed 13 million people have the wrong level of cover in place after failing to review their policies after a life changing event.

This could relate to buying a new house, getting married or divorced, getting a new job or having a baby.

Just like regularly reviewing your savings, mortgage or pension, it's important to revisit your protection from time to time. Skipping a review could mean you're left with inadequate cover if you needed to make a claim. The insurance world is also always evolving, so there's a good chance you're missing out on better cover options that might cost the same or less, particularly if you've had a positive health change such as moving into a healthy BMI or giving up smoking.

If it's been a while since you reviewed your cover - or you don't have any in place and this post has reminded you that you need to get around to it - we're here to help.

14/05/2026

DID YOU KNOW... 🤔
..that when you make a claim on your buildings insurance, the loss adjuster assessing the claim is working on behalf of the provider? ..or that you are able to instruct a loss adjuster to take a look on YOUR behalf at NO cost to you?

Shane spoke with a client towards the end of last year who was having a terrible time with an ongoing claim for subsidence on her property. Following his recommendation to use her own loss adjuster, her claim was finally given the attention it deserved.

11/05/2026

Here's a few of the reasons you really need to stop putting off sorting your Will out...

📝 Having a will helps protect the people that matter to YOU. Without a Will, the law decides who gets what, and it might not be who you think! Unmarried partners could get nothing, and your children's inheritance might get tied up in messy legal battles. A Will keeps your family safe and prevents nasty disputes.

📝 It allows YOU to choose guardians for your children.. A Will lets you pick who raises them if something happens to you. Don't leave this vital decision to the courts.

📝 It could help reduce the amount of Inheritance Tax your estate pays, meaning more of your hard-earned money goes to your family, not the taxman.

📝 Dying without a Will means delays, complicated legal processes, and more expense for those you leave behind. A Will makes everything smoother and simpler during an already tough time.

📝 Do you want to leave a specific item to a special person? Or donate to a charity close to your heart? A Will lets you make these personal choices.

If you'd like to take the first step in getting a Will sorted for your peace of mind, we would be very happy to recommend trusted Will specialists to guide you through the process.

07/05/2026

What is the impact of missing a mortgage payment to your lender?

Missing a mortgage payment can have serious consequences, as you are breaching your contract with the lender. Here's what that could look like, and what you can do to avoid them:

1️⃣ Your lender will make contact with you to inform you of the missed payment. It's important to respond at this stage to explain the circumstances that led to this and not bury your head in the sand.

2️⃣ The lender could charge you a Late Fee if they do not receive the payment within a certain time frame of it being due.

3️⃣ The missed payment will be reported to the credit reference agencies. This has the potential to damage your credit score.

4️⃣ If missed payments continue, you'll go into arrears. Again, this will be reported to the credit reference agencies.

5️⃣ Further missed payments once you are in arrears can lead to legal action being taken against you. As a last resort, your home may be repossessed.

🔑 So what key steps can you take to avoid the above?

* Consider putting an income protection policy in place for anyone that contributes financially to the mortgage. This can help protect your mortgage payment even if you are off work long term with an injury or illness.

* Speak with your lender as soon as possible if you think you are at risk of missing a payment. Lenders may be able to offer solutions or short term relief plans, especially if your financial difficulties are unforeseen or temporary

* Seek advice. Financial advisors or debt charities can offer guidance and support

🚨 Crucially, the sooner you address any issues, the more time, options and flexibility you will have to resolve them.

04/05/2026

Thinking about taking out a mortgage? Well, lenders don't just hand out money! They have strict mortgage 'criteria' that determine if they'll lend to you, and how much.

You can think of criteria as their checklist to decide if you'd be considered a risk to lend to. Every lender has their own specific rules, but generally, they'll look at the following:

🏡Your income and employment. They want to be satisfied that you can afford the repayments. They'll check your salary, how stable your job is, and if you're employed, self-employed, or on a contract.

🏡 Your deposit amount. A bigger deposit (meaning a lower loan-to-value or LTV) usually means less risk for the lender, and potentially better rates for you.

🏡 Your credit history and conduct. They'll check your credit report for missed payments, debts, and how you've managed credit in the past.

🏡 Your outgoings and commitments. Lenders assess all your regular spending and debts (credit cards, loans, car finance) to see how much spare cash you have for mortgage payments.

🏡 Your age. There are usually minimum and maximum age limits, particularly for how old you'll be when the mortgage finishes, and whether they'd need to factor in any retirement.

🏡 The property you plan to buy. They'll do a valuation to ensure it's suitable collateral. If there's anything quirky about the property or it's classed as non-standard construction, this may not be suitable for some lenders.

Meeting these criteria points is key to getting approved for a mortgage in principal and securing the best rate for your circumstances. We're always happy to talk criteria so give us a call if you have any questions!