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Custom Mortgages & Finance

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Custom Mortgages is here to help find the right mortgage for you. We specialise in residential & BTL

CM Finance Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Connect IFA Limited 441505 which is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is entered on the Financial Services Register (https://register.fca.org.uk/s/) under reference 970470. The FCA does not regulate some forms of Business Buy to Let Mortgages and Commercial Mortgages to Limited Companies. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

20/10/2026

Sometimes life creates a credit blip. A divorce. A new baby. A period of financial pressure. Taking on more borrowing than you really meant to. Missing payments, or simply not dealing with debt when you should have.

Life happens. And sometimes it leaves a mark on your credit history.

The FCA's latest Financial Lives survey found that 5% of people who had applied for a mortgage in the previous two years had been declined.

For people who had experienced a negative life event, that figure was 8%.

But there is an interesting development in the mortgage market.

In June 2026, the FCA proposed changes to its mortgage lending rules aimed at giving more people who can afford a mortgage a better chance of getting one.

One of the areas it is looking at is past credit issues – encouraging lenders to consider someone's full and current financial position rather than automatically ruling them out because of minor or historic problems.

That's important because having a complicated credit history doesn't necessarily mean you'll never be able to get a mortgage.

When someone comes to me with adverse credit, I dont just look at a score and say yes or no. I want to understand what happened. When did it happen? Why did it happen? Has it been resolved? And what has happened since?

A credit blip can be frustrating, but it doesn't necessarily define your financial future.

Your financial history is part of your story. It doesn't have to be the end of it.

06/10/2026

Are more people finding themselves with adverse credit?
The Bank of England's latest Credit Conditions Survey found that lenders reported an increase in defaults on unsecured lending in Q2 2026, with lenders expecting further increases in the following quarter.

The latest figures from the Insolvency Service also show that 11,644 individuals entered insolvency in England and Wales in August — 3% higher than the same month last year.

The picture isn't quite as simple as saying financial difficulties are increasing across the board, but the figures do highlight continued pressure on some households.

If your financial history isn't straightforward, understanding your position is important when considering a mortgage.

We've put together a new blog post looking at the current picture and what adverse credit can mean when applying for a mortgage.

https://custommortgages.co.uk/adverse-credit-in-2026-what-do-defaults-ccjs-dmps-and-other-terms-actually-mean/

22/09/2026

Mortgage approvals are down. So what does that mean if you're trying to get a mortgage?
Meet Lee Deveruex, hes our specialist in Adverse Credit. Here is a recent update from him:

I've been looking at the latest Bank of England figures, and there are a few things that caught my attention.

In July, mortgage approvals for house purchases fell to 56,100, down from 58,200 in June and below the previous six-month average of around 60,800.
At the same time, consumer credit borrowing increased to £2.0 billion.

I'm not suggesting that increased borrowing is the reason mortgage approvals have fallen. There are a number of factors affecting the mortgage market.
But I do think the figures highlight something I see regularly:
People's financial circumstances aren't always straightforward.
Existing borrowing, missed payments, defaults, CCJs[LD1.1], variable income and previous financial difficulties can all make getting a mortgage more complicated.

And that's particularly interesting given that the FCA is currently reviewing mortgage rules, including whether some creditworthy borrowers are being prevented from accessing suitable mortgages.
The FCA's consultation specifically considers people with past credit difficulties, variable or irregular income and older borrowers.

FCA – Mortgage Rule Review (https://www.fca.org.uk/publications/consultation-papers/cp26-18-mortgage-rule-review-responsible-lending?utm )

For me, this reinforces why getting the right advice matters.
If you've had a default or CCJ, have existing debt or your income isn't straightforward, don't automatically assume you can't get a mortgage.

And I'd avoid making multiple applications just to see who says yes.
I'd rather understand your circumstances first and then look at which lenders may be able to consider your situation.
That's what I do at Custom Mortgages & Finance – helping people whose circumstances don't always fit the standard mortgage application.

Your financial history is part of your story. It doesn't necessarily have to be the end of it.

I've written a little more about this on the website, including what the latest figures could mean for people looking for a mortgage.

YOUR HOME OR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR LOANS

08/09/2026

You could be ruling yourself out of a mortgage before a lender ever gets the chance to say yes.
A recent Lloyds study found that 58% of first-time buyers rule themselves out of getting a mortgage before they even apply.
(https://www.lloydsbank.com/media-centre/2026/are-first-time-buyers-ruling-themselves-out.html )

And the reasons are revealing:
• 58% believe existing debt would stop them from being approved
• 40% think being in an overdraft means they won't qualify
• 38% believe receiving benefits will prevent them from getting a mortgage
• 31% think changing jobs recently means an automatic rejection
• 30% believe they need a perfect credit score
• 24% think being self-employed means they won't be accepted
• 37% believe they need a 20% deposit
But a concern isn't necessarily a mortgage decline.
That's particularly important for people who have had credit challenges in the past.

A missed payment, historic arrears, a period of financial difficulty, an overdraft or other credit issues don't automatically mean home ownership is off the table. What matters is understanding your circumstances and finding out which lenders and mortgage options may be appropriate.

And this is a sizeable market.

In 2024, 341,068 first-time buyers stepped onto the property ladder — up 19% on the previous year — and first-time buyers accounted for 54% of all home purchases made with a mortgage. The average first-time buyer was 33, with a typical first home costing around £311,000 and an average deposit of around £61,000.

So if you're thinking:
"I'll never get a mortgage because of my credit history."
"I haven't got a 20% deposit."
"I'm self-employed."
"I've changed jobs recently."
Don't automatically assume the answer is no.
Speak to someone who can look at your individual circumstances before you rule yourself out.

At Custom Mortgage and Finance in Windsor, Toby Wheeler specialises in helping customers who may have found the mainstream mortgage market difficult because of previous credit challenges or more complicated circumstances.
The first step isn't necessarily an application.

Sometimes, it's simply a conversation to understand what's possible.

25/08/2026

Moving home is exciting. It’s also incredibly stressful.
I saw an article this week about the number of people expected to move house on Friday 28 August.
Nearly 23,000 households are expected to move that day – almost four times the daily average.

For us at Custom Mortgage and Finance, the summer is always one of our busiest periods. We're working hard behind the scenes to keep everything moving, while also constantly tracking mortgage rates right up to the last possible moment to make sure our clients have access to the best deal available to them at the time.

But there's another side to moving home that doesn't always get talked about.
The stress.

By the time completion day arrives, we've done much of our work. The mortgage is arranged, the paperwork is in place and the funds are being prepared.

But for our clients, that's when the reality of the move really hits.
Waiting for the solicitor to confirm that the funds have arrived.

Handing over the keys to their old home.

Waiting to collect the keys to their new one.
And somewhere in amongst all of that, there's usually a house full of boxes, a removal van to coordinate and a hundred other things to think about!

Research from Legal & General found that 57% of people surveyed ranked moving house as the most stressful life event – even above getting married or going through a divorce.
I can understand why.

Buying a home is a huge financial commitment, but moving is also a huge life change.
Our job isn't just about arranging a mortgage.
It's about keeping the stress to a minimum, keeping our clients informed and making sure communication between everyone involved keeps flowing.

We can't pack the boxes or carry the sofa.
But we can make sure that when the solicitor finally makes that call and says “completion has taken place”, our clients know that the mortgage side is taken care of.

And then it's time for the really important bit…
Collecting those keys. 🔑

Good luck to everyone moving home over the next few weeks – and remember, if it feels stressful, you're certainly not alone!

YOUR HOME OR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR LOANS

11/08/2026

We're really pleased to welcome Louise Overthrow to our Windsor office this week.

Louise has joined us as our new Client Onboarding Administrator and is now getting stuck into her training programme.

As the business continues to grow, one of the things that matters most to us is making sure that growth doesn't come at the expense of the customer experience.

In fact, quite the opposite.

The customer is the most important person in the whole process.

Louise's role will be to work alongside our clients and advisers, helping to make sure that communication is clear, information is captured correctly and, importantly, that every new client gets the same high level of service from the moment they join us.

We've built our reputation around providing a 5-star service, and maintaining that standard as we grow requires continued investment in the people behind the business.

That's why bringing Louise into the team is an important step for us.

It's not simply about having another person in the office.

It's about making sure we have the right structure and the right people in place to give our clients the experience they deserve.

Louise is at the beginning of her journey with us, but she's already settling in well and we're looking forward to seeing her develop in the role.

Welcome to the team, Louise.

We're very pleased to have you with us.

03/08/2026

Using Company Profits to Invest in Property – Where Do You Start?

I've been speaking to more business owners recently who are in a similar position.

Their business has built up healthy post-tax profits, the money is sitting in the bank earning very little, and they're asking the question:

"Could we use some of this to invest in property?"

In many cases, the answer may involve setting up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to purchase the property, with funding introduced from the trading company through an intercompany loan, alongside the right mortgage finance.

Every situation is different, and it's essential to involve your accountant from the outset to make sure the structure is right.

From my perspective, the first question isn't, "What property do you want to buy?"

It's, "How much surplus cash does the business actually have?"

Once we know that, we can start building a picture of what you may be able to borrow and whether a Buy to Let, Commercial or Residential investment mortgage is the right solution.

Too many people start looking at properties before they understand their borrowing capacity.

I'd rather help you understand what's possible first, so you can search with confidence.

If you're running a successful business and are thinking about putting surplus company profits to work through property investment, I'd be happy to have an initial conversation.

Disclaimer: This post is for general information only and should not be taken as tax, legal or financial advice. The suitability of any structure will depend on your individual circumstances. Always seek advice from your accountant and solicitor before proceeding. Mortgage lending is subject to status, affordability and lender criteria.

14/07/2026

What Happens Behind the Scenes When You Apply for a Mortgage? – Part 2
Most buyers think the hard work is over once they've received their Decision in Principle (DIP).

In reality, that's when another important stage begins.

Once you've found your dream home, your mortgage adviser doesn't simply send the property details to the lender and hope for the best. A significant amount of research takes place behind the scenes to ensure the property is suitable and meets the lender's criteria.

Our team carefully reviews factors including:
✔️ EPC rating
✔️ Construction type
✔️ Flood risk
✔️ Local area and demographics
✔️ Google Street View
✔️ Crime statistics
✔️ Nearby commercial properties
✔️ Owner occupier vs Buy to Let ratios (for flats)
✔️ Floor level restrictions
✔️ And many other lender-specific requirements.
The aim is simple: identify any potential issues before the lender does and give your application the best possible chance of receiving a Mortgage Offer.

Most clients never see this work taking place—but it's one of the reasons why having an experienced mortgage adviser can make such a difference.

Read Part 2 of our Behind the Scenes series on our website and discover what really happens after your Decision in Principle is approved.

30/06/2026

What happens behind the scenes when you apply for a mortgage? (Part 1: You, the applicant)

When people think about applying for a mortgage, they usually picture viewings, offers and getting the keys.

But before an application is even submitted, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes.
A mortgage journey really has two parts:

The applicant

The property

This post is all about the first stage — you.

When a new client comes onboard, my team and I start by getting everything in place before approaching lenders.

That process typically includes:

✔️ Providing our Terms of Business for review and signature

✔️ Carrying out identity verification (IDV) and KYC checks for anti-money laundering purposes

✔️ Collecting proof of income

✔️ Reviewing existing credit commitments and financial commitments

✔️ Completing an affordability assessment based on individual circumstances

Once we have that information, we can assess which lenders may be prepared to lend based on their criteria and identify suitable options.

The next step is issuing an offer letter and arranging a Decision in Principle (DIP), giving clients a clearer understanding of their borrowing position before they begin searching seriously.

A lot of people think the mortgage application starts once they find a property.

In reality, some of the most important work happens before that stage.

Next time, I’ll talk about what happens once a property has been found — and the checks that happen behind the scenes before a lender makes their final decision.

YOUR HOME OR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR LOANS

16/06/2026

“You’ve protected the house… but have you protected the plan?”
You’ve just bought a new home. Or perhaps you’ve recently remortgaged and increased your borrowing.

The mortgage is sorted, the keys are within reach, and it feels like the hard work is finally done.
But there is one vital conversation that often gets pushed aside during the excitement: protection.

If your mortgage debt has increased, or your monthly outgoings have changed, it is well worth asking yourself a few key questions:
Would your current life cover still be enough to clear the balance? If your income stopped unexpectedly due to illness or injury, how long could you sustain the repayments? Has your family situation evolved since you last reviewed your cover?

Putting protection in place isn’t about expecting the worst — it’s about ensuring that the people you care about most have options and security if life takes an unexpected turn.

Depending on your circumstances, safeguarding your plan might look like:
✔️ Life cover to clear the debt. ✔️ Critical illness cover to provide a financial cushion when it's needed most. ✔️ Income protection to cover monthly outgoings. ✔️ Simply reviewing existing policies to make sure they are still fit for purpose, rather than starting from scratch.

A new mortgage or a remortgage is the ideal trigger to check whether your financial protection still matches your real-world commitments.

Which is exactly why I want to introduce you to Gill!
Gill is our fantastic new Independent Protection Adviser here at Custom Mortgage and Finance. With over 20 years of experience in financial services, she is an absolute expert at tailoring the right safety net for your needs.

Once you receive your formal mortgage offer, Gill will be your first point of call to guide you through these options, review what you already have, and make sure your new home is fully safeguarded.

When was the last time you reviewed yours?
If you want to ensure your plans are fully protected, feel free to drop me a message, or look out for a call from Gill once your offer is in!

Address

Windsor
SL44PZ

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5:30am
Tuesday	9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	9am - 5:30pm
Thursday	9am - 5:30pm
Friday	9am - 5:30pm
Saturday	9am - 12pm

Telephone

+441753358007

Website

http://www.CustomMortgages.co.uk/

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