Buying a home
Mortgages, deposits, loan-to-value and stamp duty, explained.
- Buy a homeStamp duty on second homesThe 5% surcharge on every band, who has to pay it, the £40,000 rule, and how you claim it back when you sell your old home.7 min read
- Buy a homeHow much deposit do I need for a mortgage?The 5% minimum, why a bigger deposit gets you a cheaper rate, what you need in pounds by house price, and how to save one faster.8 min read
- Buy a homeFirst-time buyer stamp duty: what you actually payNo stamp duty up to £300,000, 5% to £500,000, and nothing at all if the price tops £500,000. The first-time buyer relief, explained with worked examples.8 min read
- Buy a homeHow remortgaging worksSwitching to a new deal on the same home: what it is, when to do it, releasing equity, the costs, and how to time it.8 min read
- Buy a homeHow much can I borrow for a mortgage?The income multiples lenders use, what your salary allows, and how outgoings and your deposit change the figure.7 min read
- Buy a homeHow stamp duty worksThe price bands, first-time buyer relief, the extra rate on second homes, and how the bill is worked out, in plain English.8 min read
- Buy a homeLoan-to-value (LTV) explainedWhat LTV means, how to work it out, and why the bands decide the mortgage rate you are offered.6 min read
- Buy a homeOverpaying your mortgageHow overpaying saves interest and clears the loan sooner, the annual allowance, the charges to watch, and when to do it.7 min read
- Buy a homeHow mortgage repayments workWhat makes up your monthly payment, what moves it up or down, and how to work out your own, in plain English.8 min read