First-Time Buyer Mortgages in London: What You Need to Know
London Office | May 2026 Buying your first home in London is challenging because property prices are high relative to most other UK markets. Most first-time buyer purchases in London exceed the £300,000 stamp duty nil-rate threshold, which means larger deposits, higher income requirements, and — for many buyers — some stamp duty as part […]
Bridging Finance in London: When and How to Use It
London Office | May 2026 Bridging finance is a short-term, secured loan designed to fill a gap between two property transactions. It is not a substitute for a mortgage — it is a temporary funding solution that provides fast access to capital when speed or timing makes a conventional mortgage impractical. In a market where […]
London Property Market Forecast 2026: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
London Office | May 2026 The London property market in 2026 presents a mixed and at times contradictory picture. Official data from the Office for National Statistics shows London house prices falling year on year, while several national forecasters project a return to modest growth over the course of the year. For buyers and sellers, […]
New Build Mortgages in London: What Buyers Should Know
London Office | May 2026 Buying a new build home in London is different from buying an existing property, and the mortgage process reflects that. Lenders apply different criteria to new builds, developers offer incentives that can affect your borrowing, and the timelines involved are often longer and less predictable — particularly for off-plan purchases, […]
Self-Employed Mortgages in London: How to Get Approved
London Office | May 2026 If you are self-employed and looking to buy a home in London, the mortgage process works differently to a standard employed application. You will not see products labelled “self-employed mortgages” — the products are the same, but the way lenders assess your income is different. This guide explains what lenders […]
How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy a Home in London?
London Office | May 2026 The deposit is usually the biggest upfront cost when buying a home. In London, where property prices are higher than in most UK markets, the amounts involved can be substantial. This guide explains how deposits work, what you might need at London price points, and how putting down more can […]
Moving to London: A Guide for Buyers
London Office | May 2026 London is one of the world’s most recognisable cities: a global financial centre, a major cultural capital, and a city of 33 boroughs each with a distinct character. It is also one of the most expensive property markets in the UK, and buying here requires preparation, realistic budgeting, and an […]
Buy-to-Let Mortgages in London: A Landlord’s Guide
London Office | May 2026 London’s rental market is one of the largest and most sustained in the UK, driven by population density, a concentration of professional employment, international mobility, and a persistent gap between average earnings and average house prices. Buy-to-let mortgages in London follow the same core criteria as elsewhere — rental income […]
Best Areas to Buy Property in London in 2026
London Office | May 2026 London is not one property market. It is 33 boroughs with different price levels, transport links, buyer profiles, and property types, ranging from shared ownership flats in outer East London to houses in the premium outer suburbs. The right area depends on your budget, what you need from your surroundings, […]
Stamp Duty in London: How Much Will You Pay?
London Office | May 2026 Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) in London is calculated on the same national rates as the rest of England, but the amounts involved are larger because London property prices are higher. Purchase prices in London frequently exceed the nil-rate threshold, meaning many first-time buyers face some SDLT liability. Many home […]