Riviera Mortgages

02/11/2026

Talk Money Week starts today.

One conversation we see couples avoid: what would happen to the mortgage if one of you could not work, or was no longer here?

It is not the most cheerful subject, which is exactly why it keeps getting put off. But in our experience, people feel noticeably lighter once it is sorted. The answer is usually simpler, and costs less, than they feared.

So this week, please have the conversation, spend ten minutes over a cup of tea, and if you want help turning it into an actual plan, that is what we are here for.

Send us a message, call us on 01803 500190 or email [email protected]

28/10/2026

It may be halloween and everything feels a bit spooky, however, here are a few things that should not scare you:
- Asking what mortgage you could afford.
- Finding out your fixed rate is ending.
- Checking whether your life cover still fits your life.

We hear from people all the time who have been putting off a conversation because it feels complicated, or because there is never quite the right moment.

The conversation itself is usually the easy part. We are local, straightforward, and there are no silly questions.

Book an appointment or drop us a message: no tricks, just useful advice.

Call 01803 500190 or email [email protected]

26/10/2026

There is a common assumption that life insurance is something you sort later, once you are older, once you have children, once there is more to protect.

The reality is the other way round.

Life insurance generally costs less when you are young and in good health. Taking it out when you buy your first home means you lock in a lower premium that stays the same for the length of the policy, while your mortgage is protected from day one.

If something happened to you, your partner or your family would not be left dealing with the mortgage on top of everything else. For most first-time buyers, the monthly cost is considerably less than people expect.

We work with a range of leading insurers to find the most suitable policy for your circumstances and budget.

Call 01803 500190 or email [email protected]

23/10/2026

One question we get from first-time buyers: can family help with the deposit?

The short answer is yes, in most cases. This is called a gifted deposit, and most lenders will accept it provided the money is a genuine gift rather than a loan.

The lender will ask for a letter from whoever is gifting the money confirming that it does not need to be repaid and that they have no interest in the property. Your solicitor will usually help draft this.

A gifted deposit can make a real difference to what is achievable, whether it covers the full deposit or tops up what you have already saved.

If you are in the process of buying and family have offered to help, let us know early in the process. Different lenders have different rules around gifted deposits, and we can make sure you go to the right one.

📞 01803 500190
📧 [email protected]

21/10/2026

Have you checked your policies lately?

If...
📌 You took out life insurance or critical illness cover when you bought your home and have not looked at it since. Your circumstances may have changed.
📌 You have had children since you last reviewed your cover, and the amount insured no longer reflects what your family would actually need.
📌 You are self-employed and have never had income protection in place because you have always been healthy.
📌 You remortgaged recently and your existing cover no longer matches the new loan amount.

These are all straightforward things to sort and we can review your existing cover, not just new policies, and tell you quickly whether what you have is still fit for purpose.

No obligation, no pressure, just a clear picture of where you stand.

Send us a message, call us on 01803 500190 or email us at [email protected]

19/10/2026

"We cannot afford to buy in Torbay."

It is a feeling a lot of people have, and in some cases shared ownership is worth a look.
With shared ownership, you buy a share of a property, typically between 25% and 75%, and pay rent on the remaining share to a housing association. Your mortgage only covers the share you own, which means a smaller deposit and smaller monthly mortgage payments.

It is not for everyone, and there are things to understand before you commit, including service charges and the rules around selling. But for people who are stuck between renting and buying, it can be a genuine route onto the property ladder.

We can advise on shared ownership mortgages alongside standard residential mortgages, so you get a clear comparison of what each route would actually cost you.

Drop us a message if you would like to explore your options.

📞 01803 500190
📧 [email protected]



Think carefully before securing other debts against your home.
Consolidating debt may reduce your outgoings now, however you may pay more interest over your mortgage term.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

16/10/2026

Mortgage jargon buster: Fixed rate vs variable rate.

Fixed rate: your interest rate is locked in for an agreed period, typically two, three, or five years. Your monthly payment stays the same regardless of what happens to interest rates during that time. Good for budgeting, and popular when rates feel uncertain.

Variable rate: your payment can go up or down, usually in line with the Bank of England base rate or the lender's own standard variable rate. More flexibility, but less certainty.

Most people buying for the first time, or coming off a fixed deal, will be choosing between these two. The right answer depends on your circumstances, what rates are doing, and how long you plan to stay in the property.

We can talk through both options and help you find the most suitable deal from across the whole market.

Any other mortgage terms you would like us to explain? Drop them in the comments.



Think carefully before securing other debts against your home.
Consolidating debt may reduce your outgoings now, however you may pay more interest over your mortgage term.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

12/10/2026

Financial worry is one of the most common sources of stress in the UK, and one of the less talked-about benefits of getting your protection cover sorted is the peace of mind it brings.

Knowing that if you were seriously ill, your mortgage would still be covered. Knowing that if you could not work for six months, your income would not simply stop.

Knowing that your family would not be left to deal with a financial crisis on top of everything else.
That is not a small thing.

If you have been putting off looking at life insurance, critical illness cover, or income protection because there are always more pressing things to deal with, this feels like a reasonable day to put it on the list.

We are whole of market, which means we search across all the leading insurers to find the right cover for you. Getting a quote takes minutes and you're under no obligation, just get in touch to see how it may work for you.

📞 01803 500190
📧 [email protected]

08/10/2026

October is Critical Illness Awareness Month, and it feels like a good moment to clear something up.

Critical illness cover does not pay out when you die. That is what life insurance is for.

Critical illness cover pays you a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specified serious condition: certain cancers, heart attacks, strokes, and others depending on your policy. You decide what to do with the money. Most people use it to pay off or reduce their mortgage, cover lost income while they recover, or adapt their home if needed.

It is one of those products most people do not think they need until they, or someone they know, needs it.

If you have never looked at what critical illness cover would cost for your age and health, it is worth five minutes. We search the whole of the market to find the right cover at the right price.

Read our blog on this topic: https://rivieramortgages.co.uk/critical-illness-cover-explained/

Send us a message or give us a ring.
📞 01803 500190📧 [email protected]

Critical illness cover pays a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a serious condition. Find out how it works, what it covers, and whether you need it.

06/10/2026

For everyone who's been putting it off.

A first mortgage appointment with us isn't a test. You won't be signing anything. There's no folder of documents required and no commitment on your part.
We talk. What you earn, what you spend, what you're hoping to do. We might ask about your job situation, whether you're on the electoral roll, and whether there's anything on your credit file we should be aware of. All normal, all things we hear every day.

You'll leave knowing roughly what you could borrow, what monthly payments might look like, and whether there's anything you'd want to do before applying.
That's it. One hour, no pressure, and a lot more clarity than you had before.
Book online or send us a message.

🤳 01803 500190 📧 [email protected]



Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. Consolidating debt may reduce your outgoings now, however you may pay more interest over your mortgage term. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.