Fixed or Variable Mortgage: How to Choose
Which one is right for you to balance certainty, flexibility, and risk Fixed or variable mortgage: what’s the difference? A fixed rate mortgage locks your interest rate for a set period — typically two to five years. A variable mortgage (including tracker and SVR products) moves in line with an external rate or the lender’s […]
Fitch & Fitch Shortlisted for the 2026 Mortgage Strategy Awards
Fitch & Fitch has been shortlisted for the 2026 Mortgage Strategy Awards in the Best Mortgage Broker (8-50 advisers) category — our third consecutive year as finalists, and following our Broker Firm of the Year win at the MI Awards in December 2025. Finalist 2024. Finalist 2025. Winner 2025. Finalist 2026. The awards ceremony takes […]
Self-Employed Mortgage UK: What Lenders Need to See
What lenders need to see, including income that can be clearly and consistently evidenced What is a self-employed mortgage? A self-employed mortgage works the same way as any other mortgage — but lenders assess your income differently, focusing on evidenced earnings rather than a payslip. Being self-employed does not prevent you from getting a mortgage, […]
Mortgage Application Mistakes to Avoid
Errors that delay or derail approval, reduce lender choice, or lead to outright rejection What are mortgage application mistakes? Mortgage application mistakes are rarely dramatic — most are small, avoidable errors made before or during the application process that cause delays, reduce lender choice, or lead to outright rejection. Most mortgage application mistakes are not […]
How the Bank of England’s Base Rate Affects Your Mortgage
What rate changes really mean for you, your mortgage payments, and your financial plans What is the Bank of England base rate?As at February 2026, Bank Rate is 3.75%. The Bank of England base rate is the interest rate at which the Bank lends to commercial banks. It directly influences tracker and variable mortgage rates, […]
Remortgaging Explained: When to Switch, What It Costs, and Why Timing Matters
Reviewing your mortgage at the right time, and when and why you should consider it What is remortgaging? Remortgaging means replacing your current mortgage with a new deal — either with your existing lender or a new one — without moving home. It is most commonly done to secure a better interest rate, but can […]
Later Life Lending in Colchester: Equity Release and Retirement Mortgages Explained
Later life lending in Colchester covers a range of mortgage and finance products designed for homeowners who are typically aged 55 and over. Whether you want to release equity from your home, fund retirement, make home improvements, help family members, or consolidate debt, there are options available — but they come with significant trade-offs that […]
Leasehold Flats in Colchester: What Can Derail a Mortgage and How to Keep the Transaction Moving
If you are buying or remortgaging a leasehold flat in Colchester, the mortgage process involves checks that do not apply to freehold houses. Lenders look at the remaining lease term, the ground rent structure, service charges, building insurance, and whether there are any issues with cladding or building safety. Any one of these can delay […]
Portfolio Landlord Mortgages in Colchester: Rules for 4+ Properties
Portfolio landlord mortgages in Colchester follow different rules from standard buy-to-let lending. If you own four or more mortgaged buy-to-let properties, most lenders classify you as a portfolio landlord. This triggers a different set of underwriting rules, introduced by the Prudential Regulation Authority in 2017, that require lenders to assess your entire portfolio — not just […]
Complex Income Mortgages in Colchester: Bonuses, Commission, and Non-Standard Earnings
Complex income mortgages in Colchester are more common than most people realise. If your income does not fit neatly into a single PAYE salary, getting a mortgage can be more complicated than it needs to be. Bonuses, commission, overtime, shift allowances, rental income, investment returns, and foreign currency earnings are all forms of income that lenders […]