Insurance Advice

Loans & Raising Finance Advice

Bad Credit Advice

House Purchase Advice

First Time Buyer Advice

Remortgage Advice

Buy to Let Mortgage Advice

Self Employed Advice

Property Development Advice

Shared Ownership Advice

Insurance Advice

Bridging Finance Advice

Should I Remortgage? – A Comprehensive Guide

5 reasons why you should remortgage > 5 tips for remortgaging your property > Remortgaging with poor or bad credit > How long will my remortgage take? > How Can Friends Capital help? > What is a ‘remortgage’? When you remortgage you are simply taking out a new mortgage on a property you already own – […]

Does the Stamp Duty Holiday end in June?

Chancellor Rishi Sunak extended the stamp duty holiday until the end of June 2021, which was welcomed news to many. However, many property and financial professionals remained worried of a ‘cliff edge’ to the scheme. Many homebuyers may find themselves caught in a completion trap if the holiday were to end abruptly. Luckily for home buyers, the stamp duty holiday […]

The Rise in ‘Quick Turnaround’ Remortgaging

Many homeowners, who rushed to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday, are already remortgaging property due the continued rise in house prices. Those who purchased property between April 2020 and May 2021 are already considering releasing the additional equity in their properties thanks to the rising house prices caused by the ‘boom’ in the […]

“Check Your Mortgage Rate!”- Interest Rates Fall Below 1%

This week, mortgage interest rates have fallen below 1%. Homeowners in England could reduce their monthly costs by comparing their mortgage rate, to ensure they are on the best rate possible. Those who are on a variable rate could make further savings as they are likely to pay even larger sums for their mortgage and […]

Bridging Loans Explained

Jump to section What can I use a Bridging Loan for? Is a Bridging Loan a good idea? How do Bridging Loans work? How much is a Bridging Loan in the UK? How long will it take? How do I pay back the loan? How much can I borrow? What type of security can my […]

Property Development – How to Maximise Your Profit

Established property developers and letting agents, or anyone searching for a property development opportunity, need to focus on generating the highest return on investment from their projects. Now is an ideal time to start a property development project as you can make significant savings like never before, and here’s how. 1. Find Property Development Opportunities […]

How long does it take to get a bridging loan?

If you are looking for a bridging loan, then one of your concerns or questions will likely be about how long it takes to get a bridge loan. Generally, from start to finish, the whole process can take a couple of weeks. However, it depends on the organisation of the broker, lender, and borrower. The […]

How long does a mortgage application take

The length of time for a mortgage application to be approved is lengthening. The longer timescale is creating application anxiety for many eager homebuyers. Here we take a look at why the mortgage application process is lengthening, how long it will take, and what you can do to have your mortgage complete sooner. Why mortgages […]

Moving house with bad credit: homeowner loans

First-time buyers need a good credit rating when they get their first mortgage. However, for any number of reasons, homeowners can find themselves in a situation where they would like to move, but they or a partner has a bad credit rating. Moving house with bad credit depends mainly on the current financial situation. A […]

Equity Release Options: Bridging loans vs remortgaging

A bridge loan or remortgage is a secured homeowner loan that allows you to release equity in a property. These types of mortgages allow you to borrow more money using the property you own as collateral. You can remortgage to release equity or take out a bridging loan to purchase and develop a property to […]

How to release equity on a mortgaged property with bridging loans

If you have equity in your property, you know that there is cash locked away. If you could access this equity, it could be handy. You could add an extension to your home, make renovations to increase its value ready for selling on the property market or put down a deposit on another property. If […]

How to sell a house quickly (and get the best price!)

Selling your home is one of life’s greatest challenges. Some people have the luxury of time, while others want or need to sell their home quickly. Depending on the circumstances for selling the house, it can be stressful and overwhelming. Taking the right approach can make a huge difference and help you sell a house […]

How to add value to your property

People do up their homes for various reasons, such as making them more attractive or repairing damage caused by wear and tear. However, adding value to the property is the number one motive. This motive is often fuelled by the desire to sell, now or in the future, to make a profit, whether the intention […]

A Simple Guide To Secured Loans

If you need money for any purpose, you may be considering a loan, and you will need to know the difference between an unsecured and secured loan. An unsecured loan is offered based on your credit score and circumstances, whereas an asset backs a secured loan with its financial value, making it easier to attain. […]

Options For When You Need A Short-Term Loan

For borrowers looking for short term loans, there are loads of great options. In this article, we are going to lay out the pros and cons of some of the most popular short-term loans, so that our readers can be as informed as possible. Payday Loans Payday loans (also known as ‘quick cash’ or ‘quick […]

Who said 100% Mortgages were dead?

Not us…but yes there is a catch, well, sort of… If you’re a first time buyer with parents (or grandparents ) that own their house with little or no mortgage and who are willing to lend a helping hand, then we could have the answer to getting on the property ladder. Meet Beth and […]

Why Bridging Loans Are Good For Property Development

Bridging finance is a unique way for homeowners and business owners to embrace short term loans. Bridging loans act as a literal bridge between the times when funds are needed and when funds are going to be released from an asset, most commonly a property. Individuals, companies, and corporations use bridge loans to provide funds […]

How To Choose The Right Broker For Your Bridging Loan

So, you need a bridging loan. You should be as well informed as possible. Try to work out precisely what timescale you’ll need the money for and when you reasonably think you’ll be able to pay it back. Don’t forget, the ideal situation for a bridging loan is where you are confident in knowing when […]

Bridging loan case studies 2020

Here you can find examples of how bridging loans have helped customers move into their dream home without having to reduce the value of their current property. Bridging loan case Study 1 October 2020 Mr & Mrs H were both over 60 & retired. Due to their age & pension incomes, a traditional purchase mortgage […]

Why A New-Build Mortgage Could Be For You

When looking for your first property, a new build home can seem like a natural fit. There are no reminders (good or otherwise) of the previous owners, and some developers even let you choose your furnishings. You get to start from scratch and make the place your own. Developers of new builds are known to […]

Should I Overpay My Mortgage?

With savings at an all-time low, the natural choice is to pay off your mortgage early. For some, this is the right choice, with potential savings in the tens of thousands. However, it’s not exactly a no-brainer. There are plenty of things to consider, such as repayment penalties, paying off existing debts and holding on […]

Guide to Equity Release

Additional sources of income as you enter later life can be desirable or essential. One way to get some liquidity is to use your home’s value to release money that is locked up in brick and mortar, as you continue to live there. This is a big financial decision to make. You should get unbiased financial […]

Mortgage Agreement in Principle

If you are currently going through a mortgage process, you will have come across lots of different phrases and terminology. One of those phrases you will hear from lenders or mortgage advisors is a mortgage agreement in principle. A mortgage in principle gives you an indication of how much you can afford to borrow on […]

Guide to Shared Ownership

It can be frustrating if you cannot afford to buy a home outright, but there is a solution. You can buy a portion of your home and get your foot on the property ladder, through the Government’s Help to Buy: Shared Ownership Scheme. So, who can take advantage of shared ownership schemes and how do they […]

Ultimate Guide – First-Time Buyer Mortgages

The thought of buying your first home will probably have you feeling excited. However, you may feel overwhelmed or daunted by the prospect of the complexity of buying a house or flat. Buying a home is likely the most expensive purchase you will make in your entire life. You will need to save a deposit, […]

Guide to self-employed mortgages

It can be more challenging to get a mortgage if you are self-employed, a freelancer, sole-trader, contractor, company director, or entrepreneur. If you are self-employed, your income might be considered less secure and less predictable. The security of your income can put lenders on the back foot because they want to know that you can […]

Ultimate guide to conveyancing

One of the most important people you will require when selling or buying a property or when remortgaging is a conveyancer. The role of a conveyancer is to oversee the legal requirements and to make sure that the mortgage reaches completion. Here we take a look at what conveyancing is, their role, and conveyancing costs. What is conveyancing A […]

Which mortgage type is right for you?

Unless you’re lucky enough to have the cash in the bank when you buy a property, you’ll need a mortgage. The type of mortgage you’ll need will depend on what you’re doing with the property. Different types of mortgage include; Repayment mortgages Interest-only mortgages Combined mortgages Buy-to-let mortgages Commercial mortgages The majority of mortgages taken […]

Guide to Credit Reference Agencies

When it comes to your credit score, three agencies in the UK hold your information. If you apply for a loan or mortgage, the lender will use this information to decide on lending you the money. A lender may use the credit report from one or more of those agencies when processing your application. The […]

Do I need A Solicitor To Remortgage?

Quick answer, not always. Whether you need a solicitor of not will largely depend on the complexity of the remortgage and whether you’re changing lenders or not. When don’t I need a solicitor for a remortgage? You don’t need a solicitor to remortgage if you’re doing the following: Getting an advance. If you’re borrowing more on your existing mortgage with […]

How lenders decide to give you credit

When you are looking for credit, the lender will need to make a decision. They will look at various factors to decide to offer you a loan or any other form of credit. By looking at these factors they are able to determine the risk of lending to you. Based on the level of risk, […]

Remortgage with Bad Credit

If you have bad credit, you may think you are not able to remortgage, but it is possible. It may be easier for people with good credit to remortgage, but there are lenders out there that will work with you. People find themselves with bad credit for many reasons. It can affect the loans or […]

Should I use my mortgage for debt consolidation?

If you have multiple debts and you’re struggling to manage them you might want to consider a debt consolidation mortgage. If you have different loans and credit cards, you will have different interest rates. Managing all of those individual payments can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Varying interest rates can make it feel like those debts […]

Guide to saving a deposit

When you are applying for a first-time buyer mortgage, you will need a deposit. With the cost of rent almost as high as mortgage payments, saving can be tough. The cost of living can leave you with very little leftover. So, if you are hoping to get on the property ladder, we have some tips […]

Seven tips to improve your credit score

If you are considering applying for a loan or have previous credit commitments, your credit score comes into play. Maintaining good credit is essential so that you can get loans or mortgages when you want them. Your credit rating affects how much you can borrow, but it can also affect the deals you qualify for. Your credit score When […]

What is mortgage life insurance?

A mortgage will be one of your biggest outgoings each month. But how would your loved ones cope if they had to take over this after your death? If you have a mortgage, you should consider a mortgage life insurance policy. It will provide you with peace of mind that your outstanding debts and other […]

Bad credit and bridging loans

Bridging loans are a desirable financial solution under many scenarios. Because of this, even people with bad credit may want to make use of a bridging loan. Can I get a bridging loan with bad credit? Yes/possibly – There may be times when you are unable to keep up with your financial responsibilities. You may be […]

Becoming a UK landlord

At Friends Capital, we help UK landlords with buy-to-let mortgages every day. There are millions of privately rented houses in the UK, and with demand being higher than supply, more and more people are becoming landlords. With reduced savings rates, renting a property is seen by many as an excellent opportunity to create a passive […]

Guide to buying a property

Buying a property can be a painstaking and complicated process, especially if you’re a first-time buyer or inexperienced on the market. However, even for someone who’s been through the process of purchasing a property, it can be a stressful situation trying to get the best deal when buying. Here, we’ll detail how you can get […]

Call me back Apply online