Moving House

We’ll help to find you the best mortgage on the market

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Our expert mortgage advisors will guide you through the whole process

We know that buying a home is exciting, and we also understand that it can be daunting or stressful. Our goal is to take as much of the stress away as possible, putting you with your own personal expert advisor who will help steer you through the entire purchase process; on hand to answer any questions that you may have.

Our step by step guide on
how it all works

Start
Find out how much you can borrow

Put bluntly, it depends on what you can afford.

That’s why we start with a review of your current finances, and we talk you through the various costs of buying a property. Before you start browsing the property pages, you need to know your budget, including how much deposit you have available.

Step 1
Get a Mortgage in Principle

A mortgage in principle is not a guarantee, but it does show that a lender is willing in principle to financially support your property purchase.

When you start viewing properties, this makes you look like a serious buyer.

Step 2
Start house hunting

Know what you’re looking for (including your must-haves, nice-to-haves, and deal-breakers).

Then you need to know where to look, including websites, estate agents, property developers, auctions, and property shows.

Step 3
Contact your mortgage broker

As soon as you’ve found your perfect place, put in an offer and wait for it to be accepted. Contact us to let us know and we’ll start to get the wheels in motion for you.

Step 4
Find a solicitor

To help you find out what you could borrow, simply call one of It’s not impossible to buy a property without a lawyer but it’s not recommended:

1) they understand the property sale and purchase process

2) they handle the various pre-purchase searches so that there are no surprises

3) they take care of the contracts

4) professional insurance means that if things get complicated, you’re covered

Step 5
Apply for a mortgage

Now it’s time to get back in touch with your mortgage lender and make a detailed mortgage application, confirming your Mortgage in Principle.

Step 6
Get a valuation

As part of the application process, the mortgage lender will carry out an independent valuation and survey of the property. Usually, this is a quick and simple process but you have the option to go for a more detailed survey that examines the building’s structure and flags up any possible long-term issues.

Step 7
Receive a mortgage offer

Once everything checks out, your lender should make you a formal mortgage offer.

Step 8
Exchange contracts with the seller

Exchanging contracts takes place 7-28 days before the date of completion (when the property becomes yours!) and involves the lawyers on both sides confirming that both seller and buyer are ready to proceed (for you as a buyer, that usually means having a signed contract, funds for a deposit, the mortgage offer, and a buildings insurance policy.

Step 9
Move into your new home

To help you find out what you could borrow, simply call one of Once contracts have been exchanged and the sale completed, you’ll have the keys and can move in when you want – it’s yours now!

Step 10
Complete

Helping to find you the best
possible mortgage

We deal with a wide network of lenders offering the best mortgages on the market

Talk to an expert advisor today
020 3909 9585

Too busy to talk now? Find a convenient time for you Arrange a callback

Commonly asked questions

What is ‘loan to value’ or LTV?

Loan to value (LTV) is the ratio of mortgage to property value expressed as a percentage. For example, if you purchase a property at £500k with a £50k deposit (10%), you will need a 90% LTV mortgage.

Typically the lower the LTV the better the rate of interest a lender will offer because a high LTV mortgage represents more of a risk to the lender. In terms of LTV, most mortgage rates fall within the 60% to 95% range.

Can I overpay my mortgage?

This depends on the lender, and the mortgage.

The majority of lenders allow you to make regular or lump sum overpayments of up to 10% per annum of the amount owed, without having to pay an early repayment charge. If the amount you overpay during the year exceeds 10% you will only be charged an early repayment charge on the proportion you overpay above 10%.

Some lenders offer greater allowances, e.g. charge-free up to 20% or no early repayment charges at all. There are very few fixed-rate products without an exit penalty clause. The more flexible overpayment arrangements tend to be associated with variable interest rate loans.

Why use a mortgage broker?

A mortgage broker will have access to a wide range of lenders and will help you choose the most suitable mortgage for your situation.

It is our job to make the process as hassle-free as possible. We liaise with the lender and your solicitor, complete the paperwork, and are available to guide you through the specifics and answer any questions that arise.

Read more

The complete guide to buying your first home

Buying your first home is exciting! It’s also stressful, with plenty of ‘traps’ for the unwary.

Expert advice and guidance is essential, and we lay out the whole process – step by step and jargon-free – in our complete mortgage guide for first time buyers.

Read more

First time buyer - case study

Learn how Mai’s personalised experience saved her time and money, giving her the mortgage she wanted.

Read Mai's story

Talk to an expert advisor today
020 3909 9585

Too busy to talk now? Find a convenient time for you Arrange a callback

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Important Information

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured on it. A fee of up to 0.5% of the mortgage amount is payable for our service. The typical fee that we charge is £250. We may charge a higher fee for more complex cases. Caenstone is an appointed representative of Openwork Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Caenstone, 40 bank street, London, E14 5NR.