A mortgage is a loan to buy a house and the property you buy is the security for the loan. Your mortgage choice is about more than just bricks and mortar though - it’s an important financial decision and one that you might not want to make alone.
You can apply for a mortgage from a bank, building society, or specialist mortgage lender.
Whether you’re buying your first home, moving to a new house or re-mortgaging, compare mortgages to find the right deal for you.
Use the eligibility checker to see which mortgages you’re more likely to be accepted for without affecting your credit score.
Decide whether a fixed rate or variable rate mortgage would be more suitable for your circumstances.
And if you get a little stuck, there’s help on hand every step of the way from Trustpilot-rated brokers.
Take a look at the different types of mortgages available
Your payments are guaranteed to stay the same for a predetermined term, most commonly two or five years.
Read more >The biggest challenge is often raising a deposit, so compare low-deposit mortgages as well as other options to get on the property ladder without being left out of pocket.
Find out more >You‘ll usually save money when your mortgage deal has ended by remortgaging instead of paying your lender’s standard variable rate (SVR). It’s always worth shopping around and talking to an adviser.
Find out more >They often have the lowest interest rates and fees but come with uncertainty over possible interest rate rises and could change at any time, making it hard to budget.
Find out more >You’ll get a lump sum after completion, which can be great to pay off fees or buy essentials for your new home. They don’t necessarily offer the best rate, and may come with larger fees, so compare and get advice.
Find out more >This type of mortgage is for those who want to buy a property and then rent it out. Interest rates and fees may be higher than for residential options, however if you intend to use it as a rental property you need a buy-to-let mortgage.
Find out more >This type of mortgage allows you to only pay the interest accrued on your mortgage each month, rather than the capital. You’ll need to repay the capital at the end of the mortgage term though, which means a high minimum income and deposit are required.
Find out more >We’ve got tips that may help cut the cost of your repayments
Make sure all your finances are in order before applying
Compare the most competitive deals to get the right option for you
Consider mortgage fees, factor in the interest, and pay them off at the start if you can
The more you put down as a deposit, the cheaper your mortgage will be
Some mortgages offer cashback on completion – always speak to an adviser first
Choose a shorter repayment term or make overpayments - but check for early repayment fees
If you’re struggling to repay, don’t ignore it and explain your situation to the lender
This is the most popular type of mortgage where the borrower repays the loan each month over a set term - usually between 20 and 30 years initially in the UK - until the capital and the interest are repaid.
This will depend on a number of factors, such as salary, other income, bonuses, tax credits and maintenance payments. Lenders will typically consider all these things to assess what you are able to loan and repay.
Many lenders will ask for 10% or more, while some of the best rates are only available to borrowers with a deposit of 25%. However, there are government schemes such as Help to Buy and Right to Buy that will help you access a mortgage with lower upfront costs.