No deposit? No problem. 100% mortgages are widely available.

Most mortgages don't cover the entire value of the property, which means you'll have to shell out a few thousand pounds yourself. If you can't afford that or don't want to do it, a 100% mortgage could be the answer although you'll still have to pay some money up front.

Why no credit history is different from a bad credit history

Don't assume that, if you can't prove your income or don't have a credit history, you need to apply for an adverse credit mortgage. There's a big difference between no credit history and a bad credit history and plenty of lenders offer non-status mortgages.

Move your mortgage to get the best possible deals

You've shopped around to get the best mortgage, but that's not the end of the process: canny homeowners know that moving their mortgage when the market changes can save them an awful lot of money. Watch out for penalty clauses in your mortgage small print to avoid nasty surprises, though.

Even fixed rate mortgages change over time

When you're shopping for a mortgage it's worth remembering that even the best interest rate won't last forever. Variable rate and tracker mortgages follow the ups and downs of the Bank of England base rate, while fixed rate mortgages have a time limit after which rates can rise.

Things to think about when buying for business

Many brokers, specialist lenders and big-name banks will offer a business mortgage, usually for up to 75% of the value of the property. Mortgages are available for shops, factories, pubs and rural businesses, but many lenders exclude petrol stations due to the higher than average risk involved.

Some deals aren't as good as they might seem

If you need help with moving fees or want to redecorate your new home, a cash back mortgage sounds ideal: in addition to paying for your home, the lender will also give you a wad of cash to spend as you see fit. However, you don't get something for nothing.

A bad credit rating isn't the end of the world

A CCJ mortgage sounds like an impossible idea: who in their right mind will lend money to someone with a very bad credit record? The answer is: lots of people. Specialist mortgage lenders and brokers are happy to consider applications from people with CCJs against them, although rates can be steep.

With so many mortgages to choose from, how do you find the cheapest?

What kind of mortgage are you looking for? The answer is probably: the cheapest mortgage. Finding a cheap mortgage is easy enough, but finding the cheapest one means a bit of digging. It helps if you've already got money in the bank, too: rates drop dramatically if you can stump up a decent deposit.

Don't just compare deals try different percentages too

If you don't compare mortgage deals, you're mad: even a slight difference in interest rates or fees can make a huge difference to your payments. It's also a good idea to compare mortgage deals for different amounts: the more of a deposit you can afford, the lower the interest rate.

Should you put all your eggs in one basket?

A current account mortgage combines your mortgage with your bank account, saving you stacks of cash on your mortgage payment. At least, that's the theory, but if you're not thrifty you might not save as much as you think and your savings won't pay interest.

Who decides the price of your repayments?

The current mortgage rate is often confused with the Bank of England base rate, but they're different things: the base rate is the interest rate at which banks and other institutions can borrow money, and the mortgage rate is the interest rate they charge you. Changes in one don't always affect the other.

Pay less for the first few years of your mortgage

If you want the lowest possible APR for a short time, at least then a discount mortgage is for you. Lenders offer a fixed discount on their normal interest rate for a period of two or three years, resulting in an APR that's up to 1% lower than other mortgages.

How to take your first steps on the housing ladder

A first time buyer mortgage is designed to make it as easy and as inexpensive as possible for you to take your first steps on the housing ladder, and most lenders offer such products. Look for cashback deals, 100% mortgages and other goodies but don't ignore the APR stated.

Is this the right time to fix your mortgage interest rate?

Interest rates have been on a downward trend since the 1980s, and in recent years changes to the rates have been minor. However, if interest rates should rise then mortgage payments could skyrocket, so it might be worth considering a fixed interest rate mortgage to keep your payments predictable.

Buying abroad? The system is different overseas

A French mortgage is quite different to a British mortgage. Loan terms are shorter, the maximum amount you can borrow is usually lower, and you don't benefit from the wide range of products that are available for UK purchases. You may also need help to deal with local authorities and estate agents.

Don't let the jargon confuse you it's not as scary as it sounds

There are almost as many kinds of home loan mortgage as there are customers. You can get a mortgage to buy a new home or to refinance an existing one, to pay for home improvements or to start your own business. The jargon can be confusing but it's all pretty straightforward.

Find out the total cost of moving house and get depressed

Most sites offer a home mortgage calculator, which you can use to work out how much you can afford to borrow. However, we go a step further by offering a range of calculators including one that works out the total cost of moving home.

The logos to look for when you're considering an advisor

There are plenty of organisations that regulate financial firms, but it's important to know what they can and can't do. A firm offering independent mortgage advice that's regulated by the Financial Services Authority is irrelevant, because the FSA doesn't regulate mortgage advice. Look for the Mortgage Code instead.

If you're renting your property, a normal mortgage isn't enough

Lenders like normal mortgages: the people buying the property will live in it, and it's not for commercial use. If you're planning to buy properties and rent them out you'll need a landlord mortgage instead. Resist the temptation to get a normal mortgage and lie about your intentions.

Is the bank the best place to get mortgage advice?

Most lenders will provide free mortgage advice but your bank isn't going to recommend a competitor's products, and if they don't provide the right mortgage for you they might well try to persuade you to pick a less suitable product instead. It pays to ask around.

Do you really need help to find the right mortgage?

Do you need a mortgage advisor? If you're looking for a standard mortgage, the answer is probably no: a bit of Web browsing can uncover stacks of different deals. However, if you need an unusual mortgage or if you have special requirements then an advisor can be a big help.

Get someone else to find the right mortgage for you

A mortgage broker can help you find the best mortgage deal from a huge range of different lenders, saving you a great deal of time and uncovering offers you might not otherwise have spotted. A broker might also get special deals that aren't available to the general public.

When you're doing your sums, think beyond the mortgage

For most people the mortgage calculation is a simple one: here's the repayments, can you afford them? However, there are other things to think about too. There's stamp duty, council tax and all the costs of moving home, and that's before you start redecorating your new abode. Budget carefully!

Will a mortgage save you money?

Our mortgage and loan calculators make it easy to compare different options, and you can even discover whether a mortgage would be cheaper than continuing to pay the rent. With our mortgage calculators UK customers can look into remortgages or endowment mortgages, calculate stamp duty and explore other options.

The small print you need to pay close attention to

Mortgage comparison is about more than just the interest rate. Check the small print carefully and compare everything from arrangement fees to early repayment penalties. If you look closely at the terms and conditions you may well find that the perfect mortgage isn't so perfect after all.

It ain't over 'till the bank manager signs

All that paperwork is just a maybe: you don't have a mortgage deal until the lender has received the surveyor's report and seen proof of your income. Without a formal letter of offer from the lender, your mortgage might not happen which is why you should start the process early.

Interest rate? What interest rate?

The mortgage interest rate is based on the Bank of England base rate, but it doesn't follow it exactly. The rate you pay will depend on your lender's own interest rate and the type of mortgage you have, which means that cuts in the bank rate might not reduce your mortgage.

Facing CCJs, IVAs, Bad Credit and financial difficulty? Looking to remortgage your property? In need of a cheap mortgage? Don't worry, we are here help. View our extensive list of mortgage lenders.

Why a mortgage is very different from a normal loan

A mortgage loan isn't the same thing as a personal loan: it's secured on your property, so if you get into financial trouble you could end up losing your home. It's also a lot more complicated, because there are arrangement fees, valuation fees, sealing fees and other costs to consider.

Calculators are big help, but they don't tell the whole story

Most lenders' sites offer a mortgage payment calculator which makes it easy to work out how much you can borrow and how much the repayments are likely to be. However, such calculators are very basic and it's important to take other factors into consideration.

Why you need it and what it costs

Don't expect the government to help with your repayments if you lose your job: if you've got even modest savings, you're on your own. Even if you do qualify, it can take months before you receive any benefit and things get even worse if you're self-employed or a contract worker.

Read the small print carefully and ask the right questions

Mortgage protection also known as payment protection ensures that no matter what bad luck you encounter, you won't miss a mortgage payment. However, it's important to ask a lot of questions and read the small print carefully to make sure it covers every eventuality.

How does a mortgage provider make its lending decisions?

A mortgage provider bases its lending decisions on several key criteria: the value of the property, the risk involved and whether you will be able to cover the repayments. It's important to be honest with the lender so that you don't borrow more than you can afford.

The difference between base rates, fixed rates, tracker rates and variable rates

All mortgages are based on the Bank of England base rate, which is why homeowners get scared if the Bank announces a rate rise. However, the mortgage rate could be very different from the base rate, and it's important to compare like for like.

Benefit from rising house prices without moving house

Mortgage refinancing is a good way to benefit from increasing house prices without changing where you live. Remortgaging enables you to raise money for home improvements, a dream holiday or the conservatory you've always fancied, or you could just move to a mortgage with lower payments.

Get a free mortgage quote and receive help in plain English

If you're looking for a mortgage UK quote we are packed with articles and advice that can help you through the mortgage maze. You'll also find a range of tools that will help you compare products.

Why some borrowers are invisible to lenders

Mainstream lenders don't like the idea of a non status mortgage. Due to the fact that you have no credit history, it's hard to decide whether you're a safe bet or a big risk. Yet many non status borrowers are perfectly respectable in fact, some of them are simply good with money.

Buying a holiday home could be simpler than you think

If you've always dreamed of a villa in Spain or a holiday home in southern France, then an overseas mortgage will be ideal for you. You don't need to visit a specialist lender to arrange one as many big-name banks will help you finance foreign purchases.

Self employed? You could be heading for a mortgage headache

A self employed mortgage is a problem mortgage: the same information your accountant uses to help you pay less tax can actually prevent you from getting a decent mortgage deal. Look for lenders that want to know your gross income, not the net.

Watch out for dirty tricks by unscrupulous lenders

Most firms that provide right to buy mortgage schemes for council tenants are perfectly reputable, but the Office of Fair Trading has taken action against some firms who have tried to scare people into applying for a mortgage. If in doubt, talk to your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau.

Self employed? Irregular income? Consider a self cert mortgage

A self cert mortgage short for self-certified is ideal for the self-employed or anyone with an irregular income. Instead of payslips and P60s you simply tell the lender what you earn but the increased risk means you won't be offered a 100% mortgage.

What firms offer self certified mortgages?

Until recently, anyone who couldn't prove their income self-employed people, temp workers, people paid in cash and so on was treated like a leper by mortgage lenders. That's changed, and a growing number of firms will offer you a self certified mortgage including some big names.

Finance a Spanish holiday home without leaving the UK

Spanish banks have a slightly different approach than UK banks when it comes to getting a Spanish mortgage. For a second home, lenders are unlikely to offer more than 80% of the property value, and borrowing is based on how much you earn compared to the repayments.

The UK mortgage market has changed for the better

The UK mortgage market is in the best shape it's ever been: all kinds of lenders offer all kinds of mortgages, and no matter what your requirements someone, somewhere will be happy to lend you cash. Thanks to the Internet, borrowers are better informed than ever before.

Which type of mortgage is best for the average homebuyer?

Deciding which mortgage is best for you depends largely on your attitude to risk! For example, a fixed rate mortgage is slightly more expensive than a variable rate mortgage, but it protects you from interest rate hikes for a period of two to five years. Other mortgages are more risky but cheaper.