Mortgage & Protection Guides

A lot has changed very quickly for UK mortgage borrowers over the past six weeks. Since the US and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on 28 February 2026, mortgage rates have jumped, hundreds of products have been pulled from the market and the Bank of England rate cuts that everyone was expecting have been put on hold. If you are coming to the end of a fixed-rate deal, thinking about remortgaging, or trying to buy a home right now, this guide explains what is happ

If you have just received a letter from The Mortgage Lender telling you your fixed rate is coming to an end, do not panic. But do act quickly. This guide walks you through your options, what happens if you do nothing, and how to make sure you do not end up paying more than you should. First Things First: Why Has TML Written to You? The Mortgage Lender is required to let you know when your mortgage deal is coming to an end. They will typically write to you at least one month b

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments most people will ever make. Yet for all the time spent comparing mortgage rates, reviewing solicitor quotes and saving for a deposit, protection is often the last thing people think about, and sometimes not at all. At Drummonds Finance Group, we speak to homeowners and buyers across Oxford, Bicester and the UK every week. One of the most consistent things we find is that people either have no protection in place, or th

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

If you are self-employed and trying to get a mortgage, you have probably heard something along the lines of "it is harder for you than someone who is employed." That is partially true, but it is also a bit misleading. The reality is that self-employed mortgages are not harder; they are just different. The lender is doing the same assessment; they just need to look at your income differently. And how they do that varies enormously from one lender to the next. This guide explai

These are the questions we get asked most often at Drummonds Finance Group. Some are from first-time buyers just starting out. Some are from landlords, people coming off fixed rates or borrowers who have hit a wall somewhere in the process. We have tried to answer each one properly rather than just giving you a vague two-line response. If your specific situation is not covered here, call us and we will give you a straight answer. 1. How much can I borrow? Most lenders use a m

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

Getting onto the property ladder has never been easy, and for a lot of young buyers right now, it is genuinely hard. Mortgage affordability is tight, property prices in areas like Oxford and Bicester are well above the national average, and saving a deposit while paying rent takes years. Many parents want to help, but going on the deeds of their child's property brings its own complications. A joint borrower sole proprietor mortgage, which solves this problem neatly, lets you

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

If your mortgage deal is coming to an end, you are in good company. Thousands of homeowners across Oxford, Bicester and the wider UK are facing the same decision right now: do you fix again, jump on a tracker, or sit tight and see what happens? It is one of the most common questions we get at Drummonds Finance Group, and the honest answer is that it depends on your circumstances. But there is a lot we can explain about the current market and what each option actually means fo

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 a property is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make. Whether you are a first-time buyer, moving home, or investing in buy-to-let, there are several key things you need to think about before committing. At Drummonds Finance Group, we speak to buyers across Oxford, Bicester and the wider UK every day, and many of the same questions come up time and time again. Getting these right early on can save you money, reduce stress, and help you avoid costly mi

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

Most people buying a home, remortgaging or investing in property ask themselves at some point whether they actually need a mortgage broker, or whether they should just go directly to their bank. The short answer is that using a whole of market broker almost always gets you a better outcome. Here is the honest, detailed version of why. 1. You Get Access to the Whole Market, Not Just One Lender If you go directly to a high street bank, you will only see that bank's products. A

Buying a property to live in is out of reach for a lot of people right now, particularly in areas like Oxford, where average prices sit well above the national average. But some first-time buyers are asking a different question: what if I buy a property to rent out rather than live in? It is a perfectly legitimate strategy and one we help clients with regularly. The short answer is yes, you can get a buy-to-let mortgage as a first-time buyer, but the criteria are stricter tha