Mortgage & Protection Guides

If you have opened your mortgage statement recently and wondered whether you should fix your rate now or hold off, you are not alone. Across the UK, homeowners are asking the same question. From London to Leeds, from Manchester to Milton Keynes, and locally here in Oxford and Bicester, people want clarity. The truth is, there is no universal answer. But there is a smart way to approach the decision. Let’s walk through it properly. Where Are Mortgage Rates Right Now? Mortgage

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

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

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

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 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

It’s Not Just About Salary Let’s be honest, applying for a mortgage can be a confusing process. One of the first things a lender will ask...

By Drummonds Finance Group – Local Mortgage Experts Buying your first home in Oxford can feel overwhelming, especially in 2025, with...

Mortgages often feel complicated, not because they are impossible to understand, but because the information people find online is usually fragmented. You are given answers to individual questions, but rarely a clear picture of how everything fits together. Whether you are buying your first home, moving house, remortgaging, or investing in property, understanding how mortgages work will help you make better decisions and avoid costly mistakes. This guide is designed to be you

If you’re buying a home or remortgaging, one of the first questions people often ask is whether it’s better to use a mortgage broker or go straight to a bank. There’s no pressure either way, but for many buyers, using a broker can make the process simpler, clearer, and less stressful. Rather than trying to compare mortgage deals on your own, a broker helps you understand what’s available, what’s realistic, and which options actually suit your situation. What Does a Mortgage B

The short answer In many cases, yes. A mortgage broker can often find you a better deal than going straight to your bank . That might be a lower rate, lower fees, or simply a lender that suits your situation better. At Drummonds Finance Group , we spend our time comparing the market properly, not just showing you what one bank is willing to offer. Why brokers often find better mortgage deals We look at more than one lender Your bank can only offer its own mortgages. A whole o

Everything You Need to Know Before Buying Your First Home Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but the mortgage process can feel confusing if you have never done it before. Many first-time buyers across Oxford, Bicester and the wider UK are unsure where to start, how much they can borrow, or what lenders are really looking for. The good news is that with the right preparation and advice, getting your first mortgage is often more straightforward than people expect.

If you have bad credit and you're wondering whether getting a mortgage is even worth attempting, the short answer is yes, and a broker is almost always the right starting point. Bad credit does not automatically close the door on homeownership or remortgaging. What it does is narrow the field of suitable lenders, and that is precisely where a specialist broker adds the most value. What Counts as Bad Credit? Bad credit is not a single thing. It covers a wide spectrum of credit

💬 Quick Answer: As of 2025, over 80% of UK homebuyers now use a mortgage broker to help secure their mortgage — a sharp increase from...

A mortgage broker helps you find the best mortgage deal by comparing offers from multiple lenders and guiding you through the entire...