Probity Mortgage Services

19/10/2026

🏡 FIRST-HOME READY — STEP 3 OF 10
Build your deposit — and keep the paper trail 💰📂

Your deposit may come from savings, a Lifetime ISA, equity, inheritance or a gift, but lenders will normally want to understand where the money came from.

Keep statements showing your savings building up. If anyone is gifting money, tell your adviser at the beginning: lenders differ on who can give a gift, what declarations are needed and whether the donor must provide identification or bank statements.

Moving large sums between accounts just before application can create extra questions, so keep the trail clear.

Is your deposit saved, gifted, or a mixture of both?



Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Eligibility and terms apply.

18/10/2026

17/10/2026

🐴 MEET LOU

A little introduction to one of the most important members of my life outside work — Lucky Luciano, or Lou to his friends.

Lou is a 16hh ex-racehorse with a big personality, a gentle heart and a very impressive ability to make me forget whatever was sitting on my desk five minutes earlier!

Horses have a wonderful way of bringing us back into the present. Lou doesn’t care how many emails I’ve answered or what is happening with mortgage rates — he cares whether I’ve arrived calmly, listened to him and remembered the carrots. 🥕😂

Spending time with him is my favourite way to switch off, clear my head and recharge.

What helps you properly unwind after a busy week?

16/10/2026

📋 FIRST-HOME READY 2/10

CHECK YOUR CREDIT FILES EARLY

A credit score is not the whole story. Different lenders use their own criteria and may look at the detail in your credit history, including missed payments, borrowing levels, electoral-roll information and financial links to other people.

Check your files with all three UK credit-reference agencies well before applying. Look for incorrect addresses, accounts you do not recognise and outdated financial associations. Correcting an error can take time.

Please do not panic if your report is not perfect — and do not apply for lots of new credit in an attempt to “improve” it without taking advice.

💭 Have you checked all three of your credit files in the last year?

✅ Yes
❌ No
🤔 I didn’t know there were three



YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.

Eligibility and terms apply.

14/10/2026

🛡️ THE “DEADLINE TO BREADLINE” QUESTION

If your income stopped tomorrow because illness or injury prevented you from working, how long would it be before your household struggled to meet its essential bills?

A. Less than one month
B. One to three months
C. Three to six months
D. More than six months
E. I honestly don’t know

This is sometimes called your “deadline to breadline”. It is not designed to frighten you; it helps identify the gap between your sick pay and savings, and the point at which income protection might need to begin.

Cover, exclusions, deferred periods and claim limits vary, so advice should be personal.

💬 Comment with a letter, or privately work it out using your essential monthly spending, savings and employer sick pay.



As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply.

12/10/2026

🏡 FIRST-HOME READY 1/10

KNOW WHAT YOU CAN COMFORTABLY AFFORD

Before you start scrolling through property listings, begin with your real-life monthly budget — not simply the maximum a lender may be prepared to offer.

Think about council tax, utilities, insurance, travel, maintenance and the things you still want room for in your life. A mortgage should feel sustainable after the excitement of moving day has passed.

A mortgage adviser can help you understand how lenders may assess your income and commitments, but your own comfort level matters too.

💭 What monthly payment would feel comfortable to you — and have you allowed for the other costs of owning a home?

🔖 Save this post and follow the series. When you are ready, message Probity Mortgage Services for an initial conversation.



YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.

Eligibility and terms apply.

06/10/2026

🏡 Thinking about buying your first home but not sure where to begin?

Over the next ten posts, we’ll be sharing practical steps to help you get mortgage-ready before you start seriously house-hunting.

We’ll cover:

✅ Working out what you can comfortably afford
✅ Checking your credit files
✅ Building your deposit and keeping a clear paper trail
✅ Getting your documents ready
✅ Understanding a Decision in Principle
✅ Budgeting for the costs beyond your deposit
✅ Surveys, property details and choosing the right professional team

Buying your first home can feel overwhelming, but good preparation can make the process much easier to understand.

Follow our First-Home Ready series, save the posts for later and share them with someone who is hoping to buy their first home.

Which part of buying your first home feels most confusing to you?



Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

21/05/2026

21/05/2026

Stonebride Mortgage Solutions - Principal Day

A fantastic day today at our Principal Day with the team at Stonebridge Mortgage Solutions here in Basildon, Essex.

It was great to meet so many of the team in person, put faces to names and spend time with other advisers and colleagues. Days like this are always a great reminder that learning never stops, and it’s brilliant to come away with fresh ideas, valuable insights and training that will help me continue delivering the best possible service to my clients.

A lovely touch too with the personalised desk setup — complete with my name tag, notebook and even a special cupcake 🍰

Thank you to everyone involved in organising such a great day. Looking forward to putting what I’ve learned into practice.

15/12/2025

Office Closure Notice

Just a quick note to let clients know that the office will be closing from midday on 24 December and reopening on Monday 5 January 2026.

Messages and emails won’t be monitored regularly during this time. However, any urgent matters — particularly those involving lender requirements or ongoing applications — will be dealt with as an exception.

Thank you so much for your continued support. Wishing you all a peaceful and enjoyable holiday period, and I look forward to helping you again in the New Year.

Tandi
Probity Mortgage Services Ltd