Klarna and Buy Now, Pay Later.
Buy now, pay later (BNPL) has become part of everyday shopping. Whether it is a new outfit, furniture, a holiday or even a takeaway, services such as Klarna, Clearpay and PayPal make it easy to split the cost into smaller payments. It can feel more like a payment option than borrowing but that is exactly […]
How Much Can You Borrow for a Mortgage?
One of the first questions most buyers ask is: “How much can I borrow?” A lot of people think it’s a simply multiple of your salary. While income multiples can form part of the calculation, mortgage affordability is rarely that straightforward. A lender wants to understand not only how much money comes into your household, […]
Mortgage After Divorce or Separation: What Are Your Options?
Going through a separation or divorce can be one of life’s most challenging experiences. Alongside the emotional impact, many people find themselves worrying about what will happen to their mortgage, whether they can afford to keep the family home, or if they’ll be forced to sell. The good news is that separation doesn’t automatically mean […]
Are you looking to Reduce Your Monthly Payments.
If you’re juggling credit cards, loans, car finance and rising household bills, you’re certainly not alone. Many homeowners are in the same situation and asking us. “Can I add my debts to my mortgage and reduce my monthly outgoings?” The answer is often yes, but whether it’s the right solution depends on your circumstances. At […]
Can You Get a Mortgage After Defaults, Missed Payments or Gambling?
If you’ve ever looked at your bank statements or credit report and thought, “There’s no way I’ll get a mortgage,” you’re definitely not alone. For many people, money problems happen during difficult periods in life. Rising living costs, relationship breakdowns, job changes, stress, poor financial habits, or simply trying to get through month to month […]
Declined for a Mortgage? Here’s What to Do Next
Being declined for a mortgage can feel devastating, especially if you’ve already found the perfect property or started planning your next move. For many people, it can feel embarrassing, stressful, and leave you wondering if homeownership is now out of reach. The reality is, a mortgage decline is far more common than you might think […]
Can Gambling Affect Your Mortgage Application?
If you’re applying for a mortgage and have gambling transactions showing on your bank statements, you may be worried that it could stop you from getting approved. The reality is gambling does not automatically mean you’ll be declined for a mortgage. However, lenders will look carefully at how often you gamble, how much you spend, […]
When Your Credit Score Feels Like It’s Holding You Back.
If you’ve checked your credit score recently and instantly thought, “There’s no way I’ll get a mortgage,” you’re not alone. At Oak Mortgages and Clever Mortgages, we speak to people every single week who feel embarrassed, stressed or defeated because of their credit history. Missed payments.Defaults.Debt management plans.Historic financial struggles. Life happens. And one of […]
Bad Credit Mortgages: You May Still Be Able to Get a Mortgage
If you’ve been worrying that bad credit means you can’t get a mortgage, you’re not alone. At Oak Mortgages and Clever Mortgages, we speak to people every day who think they’ve got “no chance” because of missed payments, defaults, CCJs, payday loans, debt management plans, or financial struggles from the past. The truth is, bad […]
From “We Didn’t Think It Was Possible” to a Family Home That Fits
Mr & Mrs C came to us feeling stuck. With a small deposit and some previous credit blips, they had already started to believe that getting onto the property ladder just wasn’t an option for them, at least not anytime soon. But life doesn’t stand still. With a growing family and another young child, their […]
New Conveyancing Rules from May 2026: Why Stamp Duty Changes Could Impact Your Property Purchase
What’s Changing in May 2026? From 18 May 2026, the UK is introducing a major regulatory shift that will affect every property transaction involving Stamp Duty (SDLT). Under new rules brought in through the Finance Bill 2025–26: Conveyancers submitting SDLT returns will now be classed as “tax advisers”They must register with HMRC and meet minimum […]
Being self-employed shouldn’t stop you from owning your home.
At Oak Mortgages, we help sole traders, directors, and business owners secure mortgages every day, even when income is complex. The key isn’t whether you’re self-employed… It’s how your income is assessed. And that’s where expert advice makes all the difference. What Is a Self-Employed Mortgage? There’s no specific product called a “self-employed mortgage.” You’ll […]
The Sun Is Out… Could It Be the Perfect Time to Make Your Move?
There’s something about the first stretch of sunshine that changes everything. The days feel longer, the mornings feel brighter, and suddenly those plans you’ve been putting off, like moving home, upsizing, or finally getting on the property ladder start to feel a lot more possible. And you wouldn’t be alone. Spring and early summer are […]
Mortgage Rates in 2026: What’s Happening and What It Means for You
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the property market recently, you’ll know things have shifted. Mortgage rates have climbed back above 5% (depending on LTV), and for many buyers and homeowners, it’s raised a lot of questions. So, what’s actually going on and more importantly, what does it mean for you? Why Have Mortgage […]
Can You Get a Mortgage While on Probation in a New Job?
Starting a new job should feel exciting, not stressful. But if you’re also thinking about buying a home, it’s completely normal to wonder: “Will being on probation stop me getting a mortgage?” At Oak Mortgages, we speak to clients about this every week and the answer is: Potentially, you can get a mortgage while on […]