Knowledge & Resources

In this section you will find a wealth of topical information on the mortgage and property markets. From Ray Boulger’s blog, to a wide selection of news articles which are constantly updated, this area of the website is packed full of interesting comment.

Ask the Mortgage experts

First Time Buyers and Stamp Duty Land Tax

02/02/2012

My husband and I have separated and I want to buy my own home. Will I qualify for not having to pay stamp duty if we had a joint mortgage on our marital home?

Conversion Finance

30/01/2012

We purchased a large u shaped steading in Aberdeen several years ago. One side of the u was unconverted and we have recently obtained planning permission to convert this side in to a 4 bed house ( no restrictions), using existing entrances but also creating one new one.

Our mortgage lender Nationwide refuse to lend the money as they say it is a commercial venture/seperate development to our house and we cant have 2 mortgages on one property. They are unable to lend on commercial developments. The Halifax however would take over our current Nationwide mortgage and lend the full amount for the unconverted side of the house as part of a single new mortgage! Our problem is we will have to pay £6.000 to the Nationwide to 'buy out' of our current mortgage. This is galling given their unhelpfulness. How can two major lenders see things so differently. We do not wish to split the deeds fo a number of reasons. What do you advise?

Mortgages & me

Life. It's worth covering...

05/01/2012 by Drew

It’s that moment when you’ve secured what you wanted, but then the adviser/salesperson begins their scripted spiel on the virtues of their insurance, and why you should have it. As usual we listen politely, before declining....

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It's all going wrong; isn't it?

09/12/2011 by Drew

Guest Blog, Alistair Hargreaves, Mortgage Consultant.

Is everything really going wrong? Looking at the response to the budget, especially around housing and you would certainly think so. Don’t get me wrong; it’s tough out there...

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Ray Boulger's blog

The Vickers Report and the Mortgage Market

12/09/2011 by Ray Boulger

There is naturally a major focus in the media today on the Vickers Report but it is important to recognise that the proposals, which the Chancellor has already accepted, don’t have to be fully implemented until 2019, the same...

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Eurozone Sovereign debt default gets closer

05/09/2011 by Ray Boulger

With new evidence of problems in global economy emerging almost every day now from somewhere in the world (figures from the UK service sector today were much worse than expected by economists, many of whom seem to be pretty...

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Terms & conditions

Your initial mortgage consultation is obligation free. There will be a minimum fee for our mortgage service of £450, of which £150 is payable when you apply, and we will retain the commission from the mortgage lender. Alternatively, you can choose the fee only option which is typically 0.65% of the amount borrowed. The precise amount will depend on your circumstances and mortgage loan amount, and will be discussed and agreed before you make a mortgage application.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY DEBT SECURED ON IT

Legals

John Charcol is a trading style of Towergate Financial (West) Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority; our registration number is 147692. John Charcol Associates LLP is an appointed representative of Towergate Financial (West) Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.  Registered office: Towergate House, Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3EN. Registered in England No: 02292688.  This mortgage site is only directed at persons within the UK.   The FSA does not regulate some investment mortgage contracts.  Calls may be recorded for training and monitoring. Max call charge from a BT landline is 3.9p per minute. Calls from other networks may vary.