Mortgage & Protection Guides

Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Mortgages, deposits, surveys, solicitors, and unfamiliar terminology can make the process seem far more complicated than it needs to be. This guide explains the mortgage journey for first-time buyers in clear, simple terms, so you know what to expect and how to prepare before you start viewing properties. Step one: understanding what you can afford Before looking at properties, it is important to understan

Applying for a mortgage can feel overwhelming, especially when lenders start asking for documents. Knowing what is required in advance can make the process far smoother and reduce delays or stress. While exact requirements vary between lenders and individual circumstances, most mortgage applications in the UK follow a similar structure. Below is a clear guide to the documents you are likely to need and why lenders ask for them. Proof of income Proof of income is one of the mo

Life insurance is not something most people enjoy thinking about, but it is one of the most important parts of sensible financial planning. With higher living costs, larger mortgages, and families relying on dual incomes, the financial impact of losing a partner or parent can be devastating without the right protection in place. Life insurance is designed to provide financial security for the people you care about most. It ensures that if the worst were to happen, your family

Summary: Mortgages for flats above shops offer convenience and passive income. But they are harder to secure due to higher fire risk, noise, mixed-use classification, and lower demand. Improve approval chances by using a specialist broker, offering a larger deposit, and providing clear lease details early. ---------------------------------- Are you a businessman who is looking for a passive income, or operate your shop while living in the same building? Then, mortgages above

Getting a mortgage when you are self-employed often feels more complicated than it should be. Based on everything we are seeing in the market right now, 2026 is shaping up to be a far better year for self-employed applicants. Lenders have already begun modernising their criteria, and we expect this trend to continue as we move into the new year. One of the most significant shifts we predict for 2026 is how lenders assess income for limited company directors. Many lenders have

Buying a home, remortgaging, or investing in property can feel overwhelming, especially with the amount of information online. At Drummonds Finance Group, we work with clients across Oxford, Bicester and the UK, and we hear the same core questions again and again. This guide answers the twenty-five most asked mortgage questions in clear English. Each section is short enough to read quickly and detailed enough to help you make informed decisions. If you want personalised advic

If you have ever considered buying a flat in a block with cladding, you already know how confusing the EWS1 situation can be. Some people say you need it. Some say you do not. Some say it is impossible to get. Others say their mortgage sailed through without anyone mentioning it. So, what is actually true in 2025, and can you still get a mortgage without this form? Let’s clear it all up in simple, friendly language. So What Is the EWS1 Form and Why Does Everyone Mention It An

Making home ownership possible without co-owning the property Getting onto the property ladder has never been easy, and for many young buyers in today’s market, a bit of help from family makes all the difference. But what if you want to help your child buy a home without owning part of it yourself? That is where a  Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor mortgage   (JBSP) can be an innovative solution. Let’s look at how it works, why it is different from gifting money, and how it mig

Many people across the UK have mortgages with Birmingham Midshires (BM Solutions) , especially landlords and buy-to-let investors. But what many do not realise is that when your current deal ends, you cannot contact BMS directly to switch your mortgage . Instead, you must use an intermediary or mortgage broker. At Drummonds Finance Group, we specialise in helping Birmingham Midshires clients switch to a better rate quickly and easily . In this blog, we answer the most common

As the leaves begin to fall and the property market settles into the final quarter of the year, many buyers, sellers and homeowners in Oxford are asking the same questions. What is happening in the mortgage market? Are interest rates coming down? Is now a good time to buy, sell or remortgage? In this Autumn 2025 update, we take a local and national look at what is driving mortgage decisions across Oxford and Oxfordshire, and what it could mean for you. Where Are Mortgage Rate

If your current mortgage deal is ending soon, you're not alone. Thousands of homeowners across Oxfordshire and the UK are coming to the end of their fixed rate and wondering what to do next. The big questions we hear every day include: Should I fix again or go on a tracker? Can I switch early without paying penalties? Are interest rates likely to drop later this year? In this guide, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each option, explain what’s happening in the mortgage ma

Contact Us now If you're searching for a mortgage in principle  (also called an Agreement in Principle  or AIP), you're likely about to start viewing properties, or you’ve just found one you want to offer on. In today’s fast-moving market, having your mortgage in principle ready is more important than ever. In this post, we’ll explain exactly what a mortgage in principle is, why it matters, how it helps your offer stand out, and how we at Drummonds Finance Group can help you

The decision between renting and buying a home is one of the biggest financial choices people face, especially in a high-demand area like Oxford. With property prices still above the national average and the rental market remaining competitive, many people in and around Oxfordshire are wondering whether it makes more sense to buy a home or keep renting in 2025. As mortgage brokers based in Oxford, we speak to first-time buyers, renters, and investors every week who are trying

Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also feel like stepping into a world full of terms, criteria and decisions you have never dealt with before. This is where professional mortgage advice can make a huge difference. A skilled adviser helps you understand the process and guides you through every stage so you can move forward with confidence. In this blog, we explore why first-time buyers benefit so much from expert guidance and how the right advice can save money, t

High-net-worth mortgages are designed for borrowers whose income, assets, or financial arrangements fall outside standard mortgage criteria. While many high-street lenders rely on automated affordability models, high-net-worth lending is usually assessed manually, allowing far greater flexibility when structured correctly. At Drummonds Finance Group, we arrange high-net-worth mortgages for business owners, professionals, investors, and individuals with complex income or subst

Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you'll ever make. Whether it's your first step on the ladder or you're...

House viewings are exciting, especially if it’s your first time buying or investing. But it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and overlook important details. Whether you’re viewing properties in Oxford, Bicester or beyond, asking the right questions can help you avoid costly surprises and make a more informed decision. Here’s a helpful list of thoughtful questions to ask during any property viewing 1. Why is the owner selling? This can give you insight into how motivated

Buying a home is exciting, but it can also feel confusing with all the jargon you come across. Two phrases that often cause a bit of head scratching are Mortgage in Principle  and Full Mortgage Offer . They sound similar, but they mean very different things, and it is worth understanding the difference so you know where you stand in the buying process. What is a Mortgage in Principle? A Mortgage in Principle, sometimes called an Agreement in Principle or Decision in Principle