Expat Mortgage Case Study: How a Dubai-Based Buyer Secured a Devon Cottage Without the Holiday Let Restrictions
Expat clients often assume that buying a UK home to live in part-time and let the rest of the year only leaves one route open: a holiday let mortgage. The case below shows why that isn’t always true, and why ...
Moving Back to the UK: Your Expat Mortgage Explained
Coming home does not end your expat mortgage on the day you land, but the clock starts running. You must tell your lender once your residence status changes, and because expat products are built for non-residents, your mortgage will need ...
Expat Buy to Let vs Holiday Let Mortgages
An expat buy to let lends against long-term rent, and the mortgage terms stop you staying there yourself. An expat holiday let lends against seasonal bookings and usually allows 30 to 60 nights of your own use. Holiday lets lost ...
Expat holiday let mortgages: how many nights can you stay?
A dedicated holiday let mortgage caps your own use of the property, usually somewhere between 30 and 90 nights a year, set out in the mortgage terms. An expat residential mortgage with letting permitted has no fixed cap, because the ...
Buy to Let vs Holiday Let Mortgages
A clear, straightforward guide from Drake Mortgages Choosing between a Buy to Let (BTL) mortgage and a Holiday Let mortgage can feel complicated, especially following recent tax changes. Below is a simple, updated comparison to help you understand how each ...
Is a Second Charge Mortgage Right for You? Your Complete Guide to Making the Right Borrowing Decision
When you’re looking to raise money against your home-whether for home improvements, debt consolidation, helping family, or funding a business-it’s important to understand all the mortgage options available. As a homeowner, you may come across terms like remortgage, further advance, ...
Incorporating a Personally Owned Holiday Let: Essential Considerations for Property Owners
As the holiday-let market evolves, many property owners are exploring whether transferring a personally owned holiday let into a limited company could offer long-term tax or operational benefits. While incorporation can be attractive in some circumstances, the process is often ...
Using an SPV Ltd Company for Your Holiday Let
The Director’s Guide to Tax‑Efficient Funding with Intercompany Loans For UK director-shareholders, holding a holiday let inside a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) limited company can be an efficient way to invest, manage risk, and optimise tax. A powerful, often overlooked ...
What Are Flying and Creeping Freeholds?
Flying freeholds occur when part of your property sits above a neighbour’s land or building. Creeping freeholds are the opposite, extending underneath. Most UK mortgage lenders will consider these properties, though some have restrictions on the percentage of floor area ...
Using Bridging Loans for Business Acquisition
When you spot the perfect business to buy, timing and being able to take action can make all the difference. Many business buyers find themselves stuck between spotting a great deal and getting the money together to make it happen. ...
Light vs Heavy Refurbishment: How Bridging Loans Differ
Buying a property that needs work takes careful planning, especially when it comes to funding. Whether you’re looking at a small makeover or major building work, bridging loans offer a straightforward way to finance these improvements. But there’s quite a ...
Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) Bridging Loans Explained
Property investment through a limited company makes good business sense, but finding quick finance can be challenging. When you spot the perfect property or win at auction, you need funds fast – and that’s where SPV bridging loans come in. ...
Can You Extend a Bridging Loan?
Property projects rarely stick to schedule. Whether your renovation has hit unexpected snags or the perfect buyer hasn’t appeared within your planned timeline, timing issues with a bridging loan can be stressful. Missing your bridging loan repayment deadline isn’t just ...
Can you buy a house at auction with a mortgage?
The UK property auction market has transformed significantly over the past few years. Whether you’re eyeing a Victorian terrace ripe for renovation or a commercial unit with potential, understanding your financing options makes all the difference between winning a bid ...
What are commercial bridging loans?
Business property opportunities often appear with tight deadlines. Traditional commercial mortgages can take months to arrange, leaving you at risk of missing out on valuable deals or paying premium prices due to financing delays. When time pressures threaten to derail ...
How Many Buy-to-Let Mortgages Can I Have?
Buy-to-let mortgages are a popular choice for property investors aiming to grow their portfolios and generate rental income. Many aspiring landlords wonder about the number of these mortgages they can hold. This guide explores the possibilities and considerations for UK ...
Can I Change My Mortgage to Buy to Let?
Are you considering turning your home into a buy to let rental property? Perhaps you’re moving to a new city for work, or you’ve inherited a property and want to make the most of it. Whatever your reason, changing your ...
Can you buy a house with a bridging loan?
Securing your dream home or an ideal investment opportunity often hinges on swift decisions and quick financing. This is where bridging loans step in as a valuable tool. Bridging is most often thought of as a chain-breaker loan, helping you ...
What is a bridging loan usually secured against?
In the UK property market, timing is everything. Whether you’re a homeowner facing a broken chain, an investor spotting a bargain at auction, or a developer looking to transform a property, you may need fast access to funds. Bridging loans ...
What is the difference between bridging and development finance?
Whether you’re a seasoned property investor or a first-time buyer with a vision, securing the right financing can be the key to unlocking your property goals. Bridging loans and development finance are two powerful options, each offering unique advantages depending ...
Bridging Loans and Deposits: A Practical Guide
Bridging loans are quoted at a loan-to-value, but that percentage is not what lands in your account, and it is not what tells you your deposit. Fees and retained interest come off the gross loan before you see it, so ...
What happens at the end of an interest only mortgage?
If your interest-only mortgage is coming to an end, you’re probably wondering about the next steps. The lender will be expecting their money back, so this is not a situation to be ignored. Whether you are considering paying a lump ...
What’s the Difference Between an SPV and a Limited Company?
As a property investor, choosing the right business structure can make your investments more efficient. Two popular options are Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and traditional limited companies. Perhaps you’re wondering what these structures are and if they might offer advantages ...
How long can you have a bridging loan for?
If you’re considering getting a bridging loan, one of the first questions you’ll likely have is “How long can I have it for?” After all, these loans are designed to be short-term solutions, but what exactly does that mean in ...