Blogs

Estate Planning Is A Team Exercise

Inheritance tax planning is rarely addressed through a single decision. An estate may comprise property, investments, business interests, pensions and other assets, while the individuals involved may have different priorities around liquidity, gifting, succession and preserving wealth for future generations. This is why effective...

Education Hub

When Should a Professional Adviser Raise the Topic of Private Credit With a Client?

Private credit is often introduced too late. In many cases, the conversation only begins once a bank has declined the application, a deadline is approaching or a conventional facility no longer fits the transaction. By then, the client’s options may already be narrowing. ...

Should Valuable Property Be Sold To Meet And Estate Liability?

A valuable estate is not necessarily a liquid estate. That distinction can become particularly important when an inheritance tax liability falls due. For families whose wealth is concentrated in property, an estate may have significant underlying value but insufficient cash available to meet its...

Can Non-UK Residents Get a Mortgage in the UK?

Non-UK residents can potentially obtain mortgages to buy or refinance property in the UK. The fact that someone lives overseas does not, by itself, prevent them from borrowing against UK property. It does, however, change the way a lender may assess the application. ...

Can British Expats Get a Mortgage on UK Property?

British expats can potentially obtain mortgages to buy or refinance property in the UK. Being a British citizen, however, does not necessarily mean a mortgage application will be assessed in the same way as it would for someone living and working in the UK. ...

Can Investments and Other Assets Support a Mortgage Application?

Investments and other assets can potentially strengthen a mortgage application. But the way lenders assess them depends on what those assets actually represent. A borrower might have: a substantial investment portfolio; cash deposits; business interests; multiple...

How Are Large Mortgage Loans Assessed?

Large mortgage loans are assessed differently from straightforward residential borrowing. The core principles are the same. The lender still needs to understand: whether the borrower can afford the mortgage; whether the property provides suitable security; and whether the...

How Do Age and Retirement Income Affect the Maximum Mortgage Term?

Age can affect the maximum mortgage term available to a borrower. But it is rarely the only consideration. For older borrowers, lenders are typically interested in a broader question: How will the mortgage continue to be serviced if the term extends into...

What Are Professional Mortgages and Who Qualifies?

Professional mortgages are designed for borrowers working in certain established professions whose income and career progression may differ from a conventional salaried profile. They can be particularly relevant for: doctors; dentists; solicitors; barristers; accountants; actuaries; architects; pharmacists; vets; and other qualified professionals. Depending on...

When Will a Lender Consider a Higher Income Multiple?

A lender may be prepared to offer a higher income multiple where the borrower’s financial position supports a larger mortgage. But earning a high salary does not automatically mean the maximum multiple will be available. Mortgage affordability is broader than simply multiplying annual income...