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    Mortgage Advice

    Taking on a mortgage can be one of life's biggest financial decisions. Our independent mortgage advice can help you find the right option for you.

    Even if you’ve had some experience with mortgages, things may have changed since you last went through the process. Your mortgage advisor can recommend mortgages for your needs and circumstances. So, where do you start?

     

    When should I get mortgage advice?

    Talking to a mortgage advisor a few weeks before starting viewings is sensible, whether this is your first mortgage, or you’re looking to remortgage. They can help you understand what you can afford, looking at your circumstances, the size of your deposit, employment history – saving you time and helping you narrow down your search.

    There is a huge range of mortgage lenders and different plans, which is why it’s important to find a Mortgage advisor who is:

    • Independent and competitive – Our Mortgage Advisors aren’t tied to any plan or provider, so they can identify the most competitive deals based on your personal circumstances and wishes, and help you make informed choices.
    • A Mortgage expert – A Mortgage Advisor doesn’t just find the best deal for you. Your advisor can guide you through the Mortgage process, assist preparing and submitting mortgage applications, liaise with lenders, follow up on applications and help resolve any issues.
    • Helping you stay protected – Insurance can help ensure your mortgage (and other payments) are protected if you have a loss of income through illness or disability, keeping you and those who depend on you safe. Whether that’s with life assurance, critical illness cover or income protection, we’ll make sure you’ve got everything covered.

    We work hand-in-hand with Wren Sterling’s financial planning team. Often, a mortgage is the single largest outgoing, so ensuring the mortgage dovetails with other financial planning strategies is paramount.

    Your Wren Sterling financial planner could refer you to our mortgage team, or vice versa, so rest assured we’re always considering your broader financial picture.

    Looking for financial advice?
    Decoration

    Our mortgage advice services

    Wren Sterling’s experienced mortgage financial advisors specialise in whole of market mortgage advice services and we can guide you through your mortgage journey from start to finish.

    • Residential mortgages

      We’re a whole of market mortgage advisor with access to hundreds of products.

    • First-time buyers

      If you’re looking to get on the housing ladder we can guide you every step of the way.

    • Remortgages

      Remortgaging is a chance to make sure you’ve got the best product for your circumstances.

    • Buy to Let

      We understand the complexities of the Buy to Let market and can help you manage your buy to let portfolio’s financing.

    • Shared ownership

      Our experience of Shared Ownership means we know the lenders who operate in this market.

    • Existing product transfers

      If you’re thinking of doing a product transfer, it pays to check the rest of the market first.

    • New builds

      These schemes can be tough to navigate so let us work with your solicitor to secure your dream home.

    • Self-employed and contractors

      Proving your income can sometimes be frustrating, so let us do the hard yards for you.

    • Adverse credit

      If you’ve got a CCJ or other credit impairment, our knowledge of specialist lenders can keep your home ownership on track.

    • Bridging and commercial loans

      Our contacts book can take care of your bridging and commercial loans requirements.

    Benefits of getting mortgage advice

    There are many ways a Mortgage Advisor can help you. A Mortgage Advisor can provide recommendations for the right product for you, but there are also other benefits:

    Understanding your mortgage

    During the mortgage process, your mortgage lender will assess what you can afford. It’s important that you understand how much you can afford to pay back, and the terms and conditions of your mortgage. How much you will be able to borrow – and the mortgages you will be offered – will vary depending on several factors; such as the value of the property, your age, credit rating and the size of your deposit, the type of mortgage, the lender, the length of time it is expected to take for you to pay it back, how much interest you will need to pay.

    Expert advice can give you peace of mind as you will understand how much you can borrow and how to pay it back, the mortgage terms offered to you, and how your mortgage plan fits your circumstances.

    How can you obtain a mortgage?

    • 1. First steps

      We will arrange a Decision in Principle to help you find out how much you can borrow.

      First steps

    • 2. House hunting

      Find a home and make an offer. Check your budget and ensure you have surplus for protection, insurances and emergencies.

      House hunting

    • 3. Prepare

      Get ready with your Proof of ID, Address, deposit, 3 months of payslips and bank statements and budget.

      Prepare

    • 4. Apply

      We’ll look for the right mortgage for you, researching various products. Now is also a good time to find a Solicitor.

      Apply

    • 5. Mortgage offer

      Your Lender will value the property and review your application. If everything is ok, a Mortgage offer will be made.

      Mortgage offer

    • 6 Insurance

      Apply for protection and arrange Building and Contents Insurance. We can do all this for you.

      Insurance

    • 7 Legals

      A Solicitor progresses the case with you and any in a property chain.

      Legals

    • 8 Exchange

      It’s happening! Protection and Insurance policies will need to be activated.

      Exchange

    • 9. Completion

      Last minute check and timing for exchange of keys.

      Completion
    Our 9 step Mortgage Journey guide Download

    How our mortgage financial advisors can help you

    There are many ways a Wren Sterling Mortgage Advisor can help you – not only by providing product recommendations, there are many other benefits:

    • Help you prepare your application for success – Your Mortgage Advisor will be familiar with the forms you’ll need to fill out for your application, and can help you get your paperwork right first time
    • Time and money saved – aside from saving you time hunting for a mortgage, your advisor can manage your application process, communicating with lenders and other third parties while keeping you informed.
    • Grant you access to the whole of the market – Independent advisors aren’t tied to any plan or provider, and are only interested in finding the right plan for you.
    • Financial confidence – An advisor can help you understand the specifics of your mortgage, helping you make more confident decisions about your money
    • Arrange insurance – Your mortgage is likely to be your biggest financial commitment. Your Mortgage Advisor can arrange or update your insurance policies when you’re taking out a mortgage to make sure your loved ones are taken care of if the worst should happen.

    Meet our Mortgage Financial Advisors

    • Ian Chetwynd

      Ian Chetwynd

      Mortgage Services Adviser
      As a mortgage and protection specialist, Ian’s role is to take the stress out of finding a mortgage by doing the hard work for you. Ian has worked…Read more
    • Paul Penman

      Paul Penman

      Mortgage & Protection Adviser
      Paul is a Mortgage and Protection specialist with over 30 years’ experience helping thousands of clients achieve and their goals and dreams during…Read more

    Mortgage FAQ:

    • What do you need to prepare when applying for a mortgage?

      What do you need to prepare when applying for a mortgage?

      There are several documents you’ll need to gather as proof of identity, to understand your affordability and evidence of your deposit.

      • Proof of identity – Passport or driver’s licence
      • Proof of address – A utility bill or bank statement
      • Proof of affordability – Bank statements from past three months, proof of any benefits, P60 form, and payslips from the last three months.

      Some lenders may have other requirements, and if you’re self-employed there may be additional documents to provide.

    • How do you repay a mortgage?

      How do you repay a mortgage?

      There are two main types of mortgage, ‘interest only’ and ‘repayment’ mortgages. With Interest only mortgages, you only pay the interest accrued on the amount borrowed, and are expected to pay back the entire loan at the end of the mortgage term. Repayment mortgages require you to make monthly payments to repay the sum that was lent to you and the interest.

      If you want to pay off your mortgage early, you can increase your monthly mortgage payments, or make an overpayment as a lump sum. This can shorten your mortgage term and means you will pay less interest.

    • How are mortgage interest rates set?

      How are mortgage interest rates set?

      Your mortgage interest rate is calculated as a percentage of your loan. What this percentage will be depends on the type of mortgage plan you choose (which can have ‘fixed’ rates that stay the same or ‘variable’ interest rates which depend on the Bank of England’s base rate and how it changes.)

    • Will mortgage advice benefit my application?

      Will mortgage advice benefit my application?

      There are many ways a Mortgage Advisor can help you. A Mortgage Advisor can provide recommendations for the right product for you, but there are also other benefits:

      • Help you prepare your application for success – Your Mortgage Advisor will be familiar with the forms you’ll need to fill out for your application, and can help you get your paperwork right first time
      • Time and money saved – aside from saving you time hunting for a mortgage, your advisor can manage your application process, communicating with lenders and other third parties while keeping you informed.
      • Grant you access to the whole of the market – Independent advisors aren’t tied to any plan or provider, and are only interested in finding the right plan for you.
      • Financial confidence – An advisor can help you understand the specifics of your mortgage, helping you make more confident decisions about your money
      • Arrange insurance – Your mortgage is likely to be your biggest financial commitment. Your Mortgage Advisor can arrange or update your insurance policies when you’re taking out a mortgage to make sure your loved ones are taken care of if the worst should happen.

    • How much are you able to borrow for a mortgage?

      How much are you able to borrow for a mortgage?

      How much you can borrow will need to be balanced between how much you can afford, and the home you want. How much you will be able to borrow will differ between different lenders, but is based on your income and outgoings, your deposit, and the interest rate.

      The lender will charge interest on the money you borrow, and if you can’t key up repayments the lender can repossess your home (which is where protection insurance can help you in times of illness or injury which affect your salary.)

    Latest News & Guides

    Your home or other property may be repossessed if you don’t keep up payments on your mortgage. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate most forms of buy to let mortgages. The above is for information only and does not constitute advice.