Riviera Mortgages

04/09/2026

Jargon buster: Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)

It's the tax you pay when you buy a property above a certain threshold in England. As a first-time buyer, you benefit from relief on properties up to £500,000, which can mean a significant saving compared with someone who's bought before.

The rules have changed over the years and they're worth checking before you budget. Your solicitor will handle the payment, but we can help you make sure you've factored the right figure into your overall costs from the start, so there are no surprises.

Any other mortgage jargon you'd like us to unpack? Let us know in the comments.

02/09/2026

September. New month, new academic year, and for a lot of people, the point where summer daydreams become actual plans.

If you've been thinking about buying your first home, here's what the next step actually looks like: a conversation. No paperwork required upfront, no commitment, no pressure. Just a chat about what you earn, what you spend, and what you're hoping to do.

You'll leave knowing roughly what you could borrow and what monthly payments might look like. That's worth an hour of your time.

We're based in Torbay, we know the local market, and we've helped plenty of first-time buyers in Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham do exactly this.

Book an appointment or drop 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.

31/08/2026

Happy clients enjoying a festival in the sun with our bright umbrella ☂

Although I'm sure many of you have used them to stay dry this bank holiday!!

28/08/2026

September is one of the busiest months of the year for property.

The summer quietens things down, people are away, viewings slow, decisions get pushed to "after the holidays." Then September arrives and everyone moves at once.

If you're thinking about buying, remortgaging, or reviewing your protection cover, now is a genuinely good time to get organised before the rush. We have appointments available and we're local, so when you call, you get one of us.

Book online, give us a ring or email us!

💻 www.rivieramortgages.co.uk
🤳 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.

26/08/2026

"Critical illness cover is just for older people."

We hear this a lot, and it's one of those assumptions worth questioning.

Critical illness cover pays out a tax-free lump sum if you're diagnosed with one of a list of serious conditions, including certain cancers, heart attacks, and strokes. The payout can be used however you need it: to cover your mortgage while you recover, adapt your home, replace lost income, or simply remove financial pressure at the worst possible time.

Here's the thing about age: the younger and healthier you are when you take it out, the lower your monthly premium is. Waiting until you're older doesn't just delay the protection, it usually costs you more.

We search the whole of the market, including Aviva and other leading insurers, to find cover that fits your life and your budget.

If you'd like to know what critical illness cover would actually cost for you, we can get a quote with no obligation and no pressure.

24/08/2026

A significant cohort of UK homeowners are reaching the end of two and five-year fixed rate deals in the second half of 2026.

If you are among them, you are facing a decision in a rate environment that is more settled than 2023 but still meaningfully different from the deals you may originally have fixed at.

Here is an honest guide to your options:
https://rivieramortgages.co.uk/remortgaging-autumn-2026-devon/

21/08/2026

Jargon buster: Agreement in Principle (AIP)

Sometimes called a Decision in Principle, it’s a lender saying “based on what you’ve told us, we’d likely lend you around this much.” It’s not a guarantee, but estate agents will often want to see one before taking your offer seriously.

Getting one is quick, usually involves a soft credit check (no dent in your score), and it turns “we’re thinking about it” into “we’re actual buyers.”

Planning to view houses this autumn? Get this sorted first. We can arrange it for you.



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.

19/08/2026

A reminder that we’re a local firm. When you call, you get one of us, not a call centre. We live here, and half our clients are people we bump into in the supermarket. That’s exactly how we like it.

17/08/2026

GENERAL CATCH-UP

We’re proud to help all our customers through big life changes. If you’ve recently experienced any of the below key life events…

💍 Got engaged
👰 Got married
👶 Had a baby
💼 Started a new job
💰 Received a pay rise

… it’s a great opportunity to make sure your financial plans are still sufficient for you. We have some appointments available, and you can book one here: https://rivieramortgages.co.uk/book-an-appointment/

14/08/2026

The buy-to-let market in Devon looks very different in 2026 from how it looked five years ago. The combination of higher mortgage rates, significant tax changes, increasing regulatory requirements, and a shifting tenant market has changed the calculation for both existing landlords and those considering entering the market for the first time.

This guide covers the current landscape honestly 👇

The buy-to-let market in Devon has changed significantly. Riviera Mortgages explains the current mortgage landscape, tax environment, and what prospective and existing Devon landlords need to consider in 2026.