The amount you can borrow for a mortgage depends on your income, regular expenditure, existing financial commitments and credit history, as well as the lender’s affordability criteria.

As a general guide, some mortgage lenders may offer around four to four-and-a-half times your annual income, although the amount available can be higher or lower depending on your individual circumstances. Lenders will also assess whether you can comfortably afford the monthly repayments.

At Skitts, we work alongside independent mortgage advisers who can assess your circumstances, explain your borrowing options and help you find a suitable mortgage. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, moving home or looking to remortgage, professional advice can help you make an informed decision.

Most mortgage lenders require a deposit of at least 5% to 10% of the property’s purchase price, although the amount needed will depend on your circumstances and the lender’s requirements.

For example, if you’re buying a property for £250,000, a 5% deposit would be £12,500, while a 10% deposit would be £25,000. Generally, having a larger deposit can give you access to a wider choice of mortgage products and potentially more competitive interest rates.

Some lenders offer mortgages requiring smaller deposits, subject to eligibility and affordability checks.

At Skitts, our independent mortgage advisers can help you understand how much deposit you may need, explore the mortgage options available and find a suitable deal based on your individual circumstances.

A mortgage agreement in principle, sometimes called a decision in principle (DIP) or mortgage in principle (MIP), is an indication from a lender of how much they may be prepared to lend you based on your financial circumstances.

Having an agreement in principle before you start viewing properties can help you establish your budget and demonstrate to sellers that you’re a serious buyer. However, it isn’t a guaranteed mortgage offer, as the lender will still need to carry out further checks and assess the property before making a final decision.

At Skitts, our independent mortgage advisers can help you obtain an agreement in principle, understand your borrowing options and take the next steps towards securing a mortgage for your new home.

A mortgage application typically takes around two to six weeks to progress from submission to a formal mortgage offer, although timescales can vary depending on the lender and your individual circumstances.

During this period, the lender will assess your income, expenditure, credit history and supporting documents. They will also arrange a valuation of the property to ensure it meets their lending requirements. Applications involving self-employment, complex income or additional checks may take longer.

Having the correct documentation ready can help avoid unnecessary delays. At Skitts, our independent mortgage advisers can guide you through the application process, liaise with lenders and keep you informed as your mortgage progresses towards an offer.

When applying for a mortgage, lenders will usually ask for proof of identity, address, income and financial circumstances. Commonly requested documents include a passport or driving licence, recent payslips, bank statements and evidence of your deposit.

If you’re self-employed, you may need to provide additional information, such as tax calculations, tax year overviews or business accounts. Lenders may also request details of existing loans, credit commitments and other regular expenditure.

Having your documents prepared in advance can help make the mortgage application process more straightforward and avoid unnecessary delays.

At Skitts, our independent mortgage advisers can explain exactly what information you’ll need, help you prepare your application and guide you through the process of securing a suitable mortgage.

Yes, it is possible to get a mortgage with bad credit, although your options may be more limited depending on your financial circumstances and credit history.

Mortgage lenders consider several factors, including missed payments, defaults, County Court Judgments (CCJs), existing debts, income and the size of your deposit. Some lenders specialise in helping applicants with adverse credit histories, although they may require a larger deposit or charge higher interest rates.

Before applying, it’s worth checking your credit report and correcting any errors that could affect your application.

At Skitts, we can introduce you to independent mortgage advisers who can assess your circumstances, explore suitable lenders and help you understand your options, even if you’ve experienced credit difficulties in the past.

Yes, you can get a mortgage if you’re self-employed. Mortgage lenders generally assess self-employed applicants using similar affordability criteria to employed borrowers, although you may need to provide additional evidence of your income.

Most lenders will want to see at least two years of accounts or tax returns, although some may consider applications with just one year’s trading history. Depending on how your business operates, lenders may assess your salary, dividends, net profit or other business income.

Having your financial records organised and up to date can help make the application process more straightforward.

At Skitts, our independent mortgage advisers can help self-employed buyers understand their borrowing options, identify suitable lenders and guide them through the mortgage application process.

You can arrange a mortgage directly with a bank or building society, but using an independent mortgage broker can give you access to a wider range of lenders and mortgage products.

A bank will generally only offer its own mortgage products, whereas an independent mortgage broker can compare options from multiple lenders, assess your financial circumstances and recommend a suitable mortgage. Some brokers may also have access to deals that aren’t available directly to customers.

Using a mortgage broker can be particularly helpful if you’re self-employed, have a complicated income structure or have experienced credit difficulties.

At Skitts, we can introduce you to independent mortgage advisers who can explain your options, help you compare mortgage products and guide you through the application process.

The cost of using a mortgage adviser varies depending on the adviser, the complexity of your circumstances and the services provided. Some mortgage advisers offer fee-free advice and receive commission from the lender, while others charge a fixed fee or a percentage of the mortgage amount.

Where a fee applies, it may be several hundred pounds or more, particularly for complex mortgage applications. Your adviser should explain any charges, how they are paid and when they become payable before you agree to proceed.

At Skitts, we can introduce you to independent mortgage advisers who can explain their services, discuss the mortgage options available and provide clear information about any fees before you make a decision.

A fixed-rate mortgage has an interest rate that stays the same for an agreed period, typically two or five years. This means your monthly mortgage repayments remain predictable during that time, making it easier to budget.

A variable-rate mortgage has an interest rate that can change, meaning your monthly repayments could increase or decrease. Variable-rate mortgages include tracker mortgages, which usually follow the Bank of England base rate, and standard variable-rate mortgages, where the lender sets the rate.

Both options have advantages and disadvantages depending on your financial circumstances, future plans and attitude towards changes in interest rates.

Our independent mortgage advisers can explain the different mortgage options available and help you find a suitable product based on your individual needs.

It’s generally advisable to start looking at your remortgage options around six months before your current mortgage deal ends. This gives you time to compare available rates, assess your financial circumstances and arrange a new deal without feeling rushed.

If your existing fixed-rate or introductory mortgage deal expires, you may automatically move onto your lender’s standard variable rate, which could result in higher monthly repayments.

Some lenders allow you to secure a new mortgage rate several months in advance, although switching before your current deal ends could result in early repayment charges.

Our independent mortgage advisers can review your existing mortgage, explain your remortgaging options and help you find a suitable deal based on your circumstances.

At Skitts, we work alongside independent mortgage advisers who can help you find a suitable mortgage, whether you’re a first-time buyer, moving home, remortgaging or purchasing a buy-to-let property.

Our mortgage advisers can assess your financial circumstances, explain the different mortgage products available and help you understand how much you may be able to borrow. They can also assist with obtaining a mortgage agreement in principle, preparing your application and liaising with lenders throughout the process.

With access to a wide range of mortgage products and lenders, our advisers aim to make arranging a mortgage as straightforward as possible, providing clear, professional advice tailored to your individual needs.