Matthew’s Mortgage Knowledge Centre
Straightforward mortgage questions usually have straightforward answers. The difficult cases are different. Here Matthew Pigrome CeMAP explains how lenders approach self-employed income, adverse credit, affordability, company directors, property investment and other circumstances that don’t fit a standard lending model.
Mortgage321 · Established 2009 · Matthew Pigrome · 35+ years’ experience
Why Can Two Mortgage Lenders Offer Completely Different Affordability?
You can give two mortgage lenders exactly the same income, deposit and financial commitments and receive two very different answers about how much you can borrow.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Founder, Mortgage321 · Financial services since 1989
Can a Mortgage Lender Use My Latest Year's Self-Employed Income?
If your self-employed income has increased, will a mortgage lender use your latest year's figures, or average your previous years? There is no single answer that applies to every lender.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Founder, Mortgage321 · Financial services since 1989
My Mortgage Was Declined — What Should I Do Next?
A mortgage decline can feel definitive. It often is not. The important question is why it was declined - and immediately applying elsewhere can create more problems than it solves.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Founder, Mortgage321 · Financial services since 1989
How Do Mortgage Lenders Assess Limited Company Directors?
Being the director of a profitable limited company does not necessarily mean every mortgage lender will assess your income in the same way. The same accounts can produce very different affordability.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Founder, Mortgage321 · Financial services since 1989
Can I Get a Mortgage After an IVA?
Having an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) does not automatically mean you can never get another mortgage. It does make the application more complicated, and the options depend on the complete position now.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Founder, Mortgage321 · Financial services since 1989
Can Retained Company Profit Help With Mortgage Affordability?
A limited company can be profitable without its director withdrawing all of that profit personally. Can a lender take account of profit left inside your company when assessing how much you can borrow?
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Founder, Mortgage321 · Financial services since 1989
Can I Get a Mortgage With a CCJ?
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) does not necessarily prevent you from obtaining a mortgage. But the details matter - date, amount, satisfaction, and the rest of your credit file.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Founder, Mortgage321 · Financial services since 1989
What Mortgage Documents Do Self-Employed Applicants Need?
If you are self-employed and applying for a mortgage, you may hear several different document names - SA302, Tax Calculation, Tax Year Overview, tax return. They are not all the same thing.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Founder, Mortgage321 · Financial services since 1989
Can I Get a Mortgage With Defaults or Missed Payments?
A missed payment or default does not automatically mean that you cannot obtain a mortgage. But lenders do not treat all credit problems in the same way.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Founder, Mortgage321 · Financial services since 1989
Why Is an HMO Mortgage Different From a Standard Buy-to-Let?
An HMO mortgage is not simply a conventional buy-to-let mortgage for a property with more bedrooms. The property, tenancy structure, licensing, planning and valuation can all influence the finance available.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Founder, Mortgage321 · Financial services since 1989
Can I Raise Money From My Mortgage to Invest in a Business or Property?
If you own a property with equity, you may be able to raise additional capital against it. But the calculation is not simply property value minus mortgage balance - the purpose of the money can be particularly important.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Founder, Mortgage321 · Financial services since 1989
Why a Mortgage Agreement in Principle Is Not a Mortgage Offer
Getting a mortgage Agreement in Principle can be an important milestone. But it is not a mortgage offer - and that distinction is essential when planning a purchase or making irreversible commitments.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Founder, Mortgage321 · Financial services since 1989
Can I Get a Mortgage With Only One Year of Accounts?
Only have 12 months of self-employed trading history? Matthew Pigrome explains how specialist lenders can help you secure a mortgage with just one year of accounts.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Founder, Mortgage321 · Financial services since 1989
Why Was My Mortgage Declined at Underwriting After Passing the Agreement in Principle?
Declined at underwriting after an Agreement in Principle? Matthew Pigrome explains why manual checks fail and how specialist brokers rescue your application.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Founder, Mortgage321 · Financial services since 1989
Can I Use a Bridging Loan to Buy a Property at Auction?
Buying at auction requires speed. Matthew Pigrome explains how bridging finance can help you secure a property when a standard mortgage is too slow.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Founder, Mortgage321 · Financial services since 1989
Can I get a buy-to-let mortgage through a limited company if I am a first-time landlord?
Matthew Pigrome explains how first-time landlords can navigate limited company buy-to-let mortgages, covering SPV requirements and rental stress tests.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Founder, Mortgage321 · Financial services since 1989
Can I get a mortgage if I have just started my own limited company?
Starting a new business? Matthew Pigrome explains how to navigate mortgage applications when you have less than two years of trading history as a director.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Founder, Mortgage321 · Financial services since 1989
Can I include my irregular bonus and commission income in my mortgage affordability calculation?
Struggling to get a mortgage with variable pay? Matthew Pigrome explains how lenders assess bonus and commission income and how to improve your borrowing power.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Founder, Mortgage321 · Financial services since 1989
Can I get a mortgage if I have a County Court Judgment (CCJ) on my credit file?
Having a CCJ doesn't mean you can't get a mortgage. Matthew Pigrome explains how specialist lenders assess adverse credit and what you need to prepare.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Founder, Mortgage321 · Financial services since 1989
Can’t find your specific question?
The Knowledge Centre explains the principles. For your own circumstances, ask Molly for general information or speak to Mortgage321 for an assessment.