Make your next move with confidence.

We begin with an informal discussion about what you are hoping to achieve, your timescale and the questions already on your mind. It is a chance to understand the process before making any decisions. There is no charge for it and no obligation to go any further.

Yes. We can explain each stage, help you understand affordability and guide you through the mortgage application from preparation through to completion. First-time buyers usually have the most questions, which is exactly as it should be.

The initial consultation is completely free and there is no obligation to proceed. If you decide to go ahead, our broker fee is £995 in total: £200 payable at application stage and £795 at offer stage. That applies to every type of mortgage — purchase, remortgage or buy-to-let. Nothing is payable before those points, and the fee will be discussed and agreed with you at the earliest opportunity, long before you commit to anything. Lenders, surveyors and solicitors may charge their own separate fees, and we will set those out clearly as they arise.

A bank can only offer you its own products. If your circumstances do not fit its criteria, the conversation ends there and the time you spent is gone. An adviser can compare options across a range of lenders and rule out the ones that were never going to work before you apply. There is also the part that happens after the application: chasing the lender, keeping the solicitor and estate agent informed, and dealing with whatever comes up. That is usually where a purchase stalls.

An Agreement in Principle, sometimes called a Decision in Principle, is an early indication from a lender that it would be willing to lend to you based on your income, affordability and credit position. It is not a formal mortgage offer and it does not bind either side. It matters because most estate agents want to see one before they will take your offer seriously, since it shows you are a credible buyer. We can arrange one for you.

Earlier than most people expect. If you are still months away from buying, there is plenty worth doing now: understanding what you might be able to borrow, what deposit to aim for and how your credit position looks. Sometimes it takes a year or more of preparation before an application makes sense, and that is a perfectly good use of the time. Equally, if you have already viewed a property and had an offer accepted, we can pick things up from where you are.

Yes. Self-employed income, company directors’ income, contract work, bonuses and commission are all assessed differently from one lender to the next, and the differences can be substantial. Much of the work is knowing which lenders treat your particular income in the way that suits you, rather than applying somewhere that was never likely to say yes.

Roughly six months before your current deal ends. That is usually when new rates can be reserved, which gives you time to compare staying with your existing lender against moving to another one. It is also a sensible moment to review whether anything has changed — plans to move, home improvements, or a need to borrow more. Bear in mind your existing lender may charge an early repayment charge if you leave a deal before it ends.

This varies by circumstances, but normally includes identification, income details, recent bank statements and information about your deposit or existing mortgage. We will give you a clear, tailored checklist rather than leaving you to guess.

That is entirely up to you. Meetings can be held in person within the London region or over Microsoft Teams, and documents can be shared securely online either way. Plenty of clients never need to meet face to face; others prefer to, particularly at the start.

Yes. Protection advice can help you consider how your mortgage and household could be supported if life does not go to plan — through life cover, critical illness cover or income protection. None of it is compulsory, but it is worth asking what would happen to the mortgage if you could not work. Recommendations should always be shaped around your individual needs and budget.