Tips, insights, suggestions, and recommendations written by mortgage and protection experts to help you.
Can you get a mortgage if you’ve recently changed jobs or are still in probation? Learn how lenders assess new employment and what it could mean for your mortgage options.
Should you rent or buy a house in the UK? Learn the pros and cons of renting vs buying, mortgage affordability, and when home ownership may make financial sense.
Can you remortgage before your fixed rate ends? Learn when to start the remortgage process, how early you can secure a new deal, and whether penalties apply.
With increasing interest rates, homeowners and buyers in London are experiencing increased mortgage costs and less stringent affordability checks. It is essential to understand how these impacts will have on your planning for finances in the current economic climate....
London buy-to-let property is a smart long-term investment. But buy-to-let property loans are treated differently than regular residential mortgages. First-time landlord or portfolio extension, an understanding of the way they work and how to secure the best deal is...
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a key cost that London homebuyers must include in their budget. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking to expand your portfolio of properties, understanding how the tax is charged will avoid unexpected fees and enable you to better...
Loan-to-value (LTV) is one of the most important concepts in mortgages, but many buyers don’t fully understand what it is or why it matters. At Oportfolio, we ensure our clients know how their deposit affects their options. There are lots of loan-to-value ratio...
When looking for a mortgage, one of the first decisions you’ll face is: should you go directly to a bank, or work with a mortgage broker? Both have their benefits, but depending on your situation, one path may be better. Bank vs mortgage broker. Which ultimately comes...
If you do have an existing property in London, remortgaging could potentially save you thousands, or allow you to tap into cash for home improvements or other big plans. But at what time is best, and what do you expect? At Oportfolio, we remortgage London homeowners...
Self-employed people typically face particular challenges in securing a mortgage. Starting your own business is great, but it will complicate your path to homeownership. At Oportfolio, we often help freelancers, contractors, and entrepreneurs secure reasonably priced...
When buying a home or remortgaging, you will be told to "speak with a mortgage broker", but what do they do and how can they help? At Oportfolio, our work as mortgage brokers is to take a complex process and make it simple and give you the best chance of mortgage...
Buying a home in London is daunting, especially if you have a small deposit. With housing prices significantly higher than other areas of the UK, it can be overwhelming for many potential buyers. Even so, a small deposit doesn't have to be a setback. This is how you...
Buying property in London is a massive financial commitment, and the mortgage process can feel like a maze. Over the years at Oportfolio, we've seen many clients come to us after running into avoidable mistakes. Here's what we believe are the five biggest mortgage...
When planning to buy a home or invest in property, one of the biggest questions is: how expensive is a mortgage? The answer isn’t always straightforward. Mortgages come in different types, terms, and interest structures, all of which impact the total cost you’ll pay...
With over a decade of experience across retail and commercial banking, Isaac Kikabi made a strategic move into the mortgage sector three years ago, a transition driven by a deep personal interest in housing and its role in social and economic mobility. Now serving as...
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