Our best buy tables and online Mortgage Finder make it easier than ever to find the right mortgage to suit your needs.
Whether you’re buying a property for the first time, moving home, purchasing a property to let out, or remortgaging, we’re here to help you find the best mortgage deal, offering you fee free mortgage advice whenever you need it.
You might prefer to opt for a fixed rate mortgage if you want peace of mind that your payments won’t change, or you may be happy going for a variable rate deal, where your payments can move up or down. We do all the legwork on your behalf, recommending the best mortgage for you based on your individual circumstances, and supporting you through the application process.
If you need to take out a mortgage, the huge choice of deals available combined with lots of confusing jargon can be enough to make anyone nervous. After all, this is likely to be one of the biggest financial decisions of your life, so you’ll want to get it right. That’s why it’s a good idea to seek expert help to compare the best mortgage rates and find the right deal to suit your individual needs. Here at L&C, the process of getting a mortgage couldn’t be simpler.
The right mortgage for you will depend on your individual circumstances.
If you have a small deposit, for example, you may need a mortgage that allows you to borrow as much as 95% of the property value, or you may want to use a Government scheme such as shared ownership to purchase your home.
If you have a larger deposit, then you’ll generally have access to a much wider range of mortgage deals.
Lenders will look at lots of different factors when assessing whether you’re eligible for a mortgage. These include your credit score, as they’ll want evidence you’ve managed any borrowing responsibly in the past.
It’s worth noting that different lenders take different approaches when it comes to who they’ll offer mortgages to, so if you’re not certain which lenders might look favourably on your individual circumstances, we can point you in the right direction.
There are numerous different mortgage options to choose from, and we’re here to help you choose the right mortgage deal to suit your needs.
Here are some of the main mortgage types:
Only having a small deposit to put down needn’t be a barrier to getting a mortgage. There are plenty of lenders offering a range of mortgage deals for those with a 5% deposit. There are also Government schemes such as shared ownership which are designed to help those with smaller deposits get onto the property ladder.
There are several other things you need to think about when choosing a mortgage.
Finding a mortgage and applying with L&C is a simple four-step process.
Step 1 See how much you could borrow and what your monthly payments are likely to cost using our L&C calculators or the online Mortgage Finder.
Step 2 Answer a few more questions online, or speak to an adviser to find out which deals you are likely to qualify for and get expert advice on the best deal for you.
Step 3 Apply easily for your mortgage online – we’ll pre-populate the application form with the information you’ve given us already, so there’s no need to tell us twice.
Step 4 Once you’ve submitted your application you can keep track of the whole process online 24/7. Our experts are on hand to offer free advice if you need help or support at any stage, and we’ll appoint a dedicated case manager who’ll do all the legwork for you.
The amount you can afford to borrow will depend on your income and on your other outgoings. Lenders will want to check that you can comfortably afford your monthly payments both now and if interest rates rise in future. Use our mortgage calculator to find out how much you might be able to afford to borrow.
The mortgage you can get will depend on how much deposit you can afford to put down and on your monthly income and commitments. There are lots of different types of mortgage to choose from. Having a bigger deposit gives you access to a wider choice of deals, but there are still plenty of mortgage options if you have a small deposit.
To get a mortgage you’ll first need to work out how much you can borrow. You can also use our Mortgage Finder tool to help you see which deals you’re eligible for. It could be a good idea to apply for a mortgage Decision in Principle before you submit a formal mortgage application, as this can provide proof that a lender may be willing to offer you a mortgage.
The amount you can borrow will depend on your income and outgoings. Some lenders will allow you to borrow up to four or sometimes five times your income. Our mortgage calculator can help you work out how much you might be able to borrow, or for a more accurate picture, try the online Mortgage Finder.
A mortgage is a loan you take out to purchase a property. You must put down a deposit, and the lender will lend you the remaining amount of money you need to buy the property. Mortgages typically have a 25 year term, although you can borrow over a shorter or longer period. Find out more about how mortgages work.
You usually need a deposit of at least 5% of the property value to secure a mortgage. The bigger the deposit you can afford to put down, the wider the choice of mortgage options you’ll have available to you, so it’s worth trying to save as much as possible. Read our guide on deposits to find out more about how much you should put down.
It can take around a month for a mortgage application to go to offer, but it can be quicker. This can vary depending on your individual circumstances, including how long it takes you to gather all the documents you need to support your application, and how long it takes the lender to arrange a valuation and approve your application. Learn more in our guide how long does it take to get a mortgage?
A mortgage offer will usually last for at least three months, although some offers will last for six months. Check your lender as they often take different approaches. Find out more about mortgage offers in our guide to mortgage offers and decisions in principle.
A ‘mortgage in principle’ or ‘Decision in Principle’ is a statement from a lender showing how much they may be prepared to lend you. It is not the same as a mortgage offer, which is official confirmation they will provide you with a mortgage. Our guide to mortgage offers and decisions in principle explains everything you need to know about how mortgages in principle work.
Comparing mortgages isn’t easy. Sometimes deals look attractive because they have a low initial rate, but you also need to take into account any fees that come with the mortgage deal. We recommend annual cost as the best way to see which mortgage deal offers the best value for the size of mortgage you’re looking to take.
This is how we calculate the annual cost:
By comparing mortgage deals looking at annual cost you can see which one would be cheapest for you taking into account fees as well as the interest rate. The annual cost only applies to the initial deal as its always best to consider switching once the initial deal is over to see if you could save money.
APRC stands for Annual Percentage Rate of Charge. It shows you the total cost of a mortgage, including fees, over the entire term of the loan.
What sort of mortgage is it.
Who is lending the money and what sort of mortgage is it.
The rate you will pay at the start of your mortgage.
Your monthly payment when your mortgage starts, based on the loan amount you entered.
The total of the lender's booking, arrangement and valuation fees.
The annualised cost of this mortgage.