Ask the experts

About our experts...

At John Charcol, we are constantly asked for advice by borrowers on what they should do when it comes to mortgages.  As such, we created this section so that you can submit your questions to our experts.  The answers are provided by a number of people who have years of experience in the mortgage market.  The team is led by Peter Woodward who works in our technical department.  Peter spent his formative years as an underwriter with one of the major UK lenders so what he doesn't know, quite frankly, isn't worth knowing...

So please do submit your question and we will do all we can to answer it as quickly as possible

Please be aware that these answers can only be generic and no personal recommendations can be made.


Posted on 29 April 2008

Could you explain the difference between a discount tracker and a variable rate tracker?

Read more

Category: Fixed or Variable?


Posted on 29 April 2008

I want to buy a new home. I have a £159k mortgage on a house which is not selling at the moment and the rental figures for this house won't cover 125 % of the mortgage payments. I also have a holiday house in Scotland with no...

Read more

Category: Current rates & the market, Let-to-buy


Posted on 29 April 2008

My partner and I currently have a joint mortgage with Nationwide. Our property is worth approximately £200K. The outstanding balance is we owe is £130K. Our total take home salaries amount to £60K.

Read more

Category: Buy-to-let, Let-to-buy


Posted on 24 April 2008

My partner and I are looking to buy our first property. I am employed and earn £24,000 a year. He is self-employed and earns around £18,000 a year BUT the problem we have is that he is unable to prove his income as he does not...

Read more

Category: 100%+ borrowing, First-time buyer


Posted on 24 April 2008

I purchased the other half of my shared ownership property in 2003 valued at £173,000. I combined my mortgage halves with Northern Rock. The fixed term comes to an end in October 2008 after five years. I need another mortgage....

Read more

Category: Current rates & the market, Remortgaging


Posted on 24 April 2008

I have a part interest part capital repayment mortgage. The fixed rate expires in April 2008, the endowment matures in October 2008. Should I revert to the variable rate until October before considering another deal?

Read more

Category: Remortgaging


Posted on 24 April 2008

I live and work in Paris. I own 3 properties outright with no mortgage. I have only one home improvement loan of 56,000 Euros (about £40,000). I have seen a property in England for £175,000. Is there any way I can buy this before...

Read more


Posted on 24 April 2008

Hi, I currently have a house estimated at £250,000, I want to do a buy to let, rent out the property and move into another worth £300,000. How much deposit would I need for both of these properties?

Read more


Posted on 24 April 2008

I have 2 BTL mortgages of £20,000 each, so that is £40,000 combined. The properties are worth £110,000 each so that is £220,000 combined. I would like to release £30,000 for my primary home improvements. What is the best rate...

Read more

Category: Buy-to-let


Posted on 24 April 2008

I am 41 and getting divorced. The family home is worth £285,000 but is difficult to sell. I have an interest only small mortgage of £1,100 per month as my mum lent us £115,000. I have a new well paid job of £75,000 +pa and need...

Read more

Category: Separation or Divorce


Posted on 24 April 2008

Hi, my partner works for himself as a musician. He is currently paying off a gigantic tax bill that's making his finances very stretched. Also he owes £30,000 on cards and loans. This is the bad news. The good news is that he...

Read more

Category: Consolidation of debts


Posted on 7 April 2008

Hi Katie, I am thinking about remortgaging. I have a £138,000 interest only mortgage, a £12,000 unsecured loan and a credit card of £2,800. I am thinking of consolidating the unsecured loan into the mortgage. Can you tell me if a...

Read more


Posted on 1 April 2008

Hi Katie,I have a property in the UK worth around £140,000 which I am lucky enough to own outright with no mortgage attached. There are tenants installed giving me an income of £500 per month. I would like to borrow around...

Read more


Question