Frequently asked questions

The things people ask us most often. If your question is not here, just call and ask it.

Getting started

Working with us

Do you charge for the first conversation?

No. The first conversation is free and there is no obligation to go any further.

What will it cost me?

We charge a fee for our advice services of between £195 and £495, depending on the complexity of the advice given. You will be invoiced on completion of your mortgage. We confirm our fee in writing before you commit to anything, and we will also tell you if we receive a commission from the lender or insurer.

Do I need to come into the office?

Not unless you want to. We are based at Kings Hill and you are very welcome, but we work with plenty of clients entirely by phone, Teams or Zoom.

Which areas do you cover?

We are based in Kings Hill, West Malling and work with clients throughout Kent, including Maidstone, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks and Aylesford, as well as clients in Staffordshire and elsewhere in the UK.

How do I get started?

Book a callback or ring 07973 705692. Tell us roughly where you are up to and we will take it from there.

Mortgages

About the mortgage itself

How much can I borrow?

It depends on your income, your outgoings, your credit history and your deposit. Many lenders work to somewhere between four and five times income, but this varies significantly and the lender you approach matters as much as the multiple.

How long does a mortgage application take?

Typically two to six weeks from application to offer, though it varies by lender and by how straightforward the case is.

What is a decision in principle?

An indication from a lender of what they would likely lend, based on an initial check. It is not a formal offer, but it shows estate agents you are serious.

I have been declined elsewhere. Can you help?

Often, yes, and it is worth speaking to us before applying anywhere else. Repeated applications leave marks on your credit file that can make things harder.

What is the difference between freehold and leasehold?

With freehold you own the building and the land, which is how most houses are sold. With leasehold you own the right to occupy the property for a set number of years, which is how most flats are sold. Leasehold brings a ground rent, a service charge and a lease that runs down over time.

How many years should be left on a lease?

Lenders want a comfortable margin remaining at the end of your mortgage term and criteria vary between them. As a rule of thumb, once a lease falls towards 80 years the cost of extending it rises sharply, so it is worth checking before you make an offer rather than afterwards.

Do service charges affect what I can borrow?

Yes. Lenders treat a service charge as a regular monthly commitment, so a high one on a leasehold flat will reduce your maximum borrowing.

Should I go direct to my bank instead?

You can, and sometimes a bank will have a competitive deal. The difference is that a bank can only offer you its own products, whereas we look across a range of lenders and can tell you when your own bank is genuinely the right answer.

Regulation

Advice and protection

Are you regulated?

Mortgage Matters Solutions is a trading name of Nicola Speight, who is an Appointed Representative of PRIMIS Mortgage Network, a trading name of Advance Mortgage Funding Ltd. Advance Mortgage Funding Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

What if I am unhappy with the service?

Please tell us, so we can put it right. Our full complaints procedure is on the legal and compliance page, including how to escalate to PRIMIS and to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

How many lenders do you have access to?

As mortgage brokers we have access to a comprehensive range of UK mortgage and remortgage products from many different lenders across the market. Once we understand your circumstances and needs we research the market and recommend the most suitable option for you.

Still got a question?

Ask it. There is no such thing as a silly one and we have almost certainly heard it before.

Book a callback Call 07973 705692