Latest Blog Posts – Interest Rates & Mortgages

Frequently Asked Questions

A mortgage is a loan you take out to buy property or land. It’s secured against the value of your home until it’s paid off.

Your payment is based on the loan amount, interest rate, and term length. Our calculator estimates this for you. For detailed guidance, see our mortgage calculator guide.

Common types include fixed-rate, variable-rate, and tracker mortgages. Each has its own pros and cons. Learn more about choosing the right mortgage in our first-time buyer guide and remortgaging advice.

LTV stands for Loan to Value. It is the ratio of the mortgage to the property value, expressed as a percentage. For example, if you have a £150,000 mortgage on a £200,000 property, your LTV is 75%.

Stamp Duty is a tax you might have to pay if you buy a residential property in England or Northern Ireland. The amount you pay depends on the purchase price of the property. You can use our Stamp Duty calculator to work out how much you may need to pay.

An affordability assessment is a check that lenders carry out to make sure you can afford to repay your mortgage. They will look at your income and outgoings to work out how much you can comfortably afford to borrow. You can use our affordability calculator to get an idea of how much you may be able to borrow.