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Mortgages, explained simply

Plain-English guides written by our mortgage specialists — for first-time buyers, home movers and anyone remortgaging. No jargon, no fluff — just the stuff you actually need to know.

Essential read · 1.8m deals ending in 2026

Your Remortgage Guide: Product Transfer vs Switching Lender

Around 1.8 million UK fixed-rate deals end in 2026. If yours is one of them, here's exactly when to act — and what your two real options actually mean.

Read the guide 7 min read

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How much deposit do you actually need in 2026?

The 5% minimum, how LTV affects your rate, and the smartest ways to save faster — including the LISA.

Kivo·6 min read

Credit & Affordability

What your credit score actually means for a mortgage

Your Experian score isn't what lenders use. Here's what they actually look for, and how to fix the things that matter.

Kivo·7 min read

Your remortgage guide: product transfer vs switching lender

Around 1.8 million UK fixed-rate deals end in 2026. When to start, and how your two real options compare.

Kivo·7 min read

Your fixed rate is ending — what happens if you do nothing

SVRs averaged over 7% in 2026. Here's exactly what happens when your deal ends, and how to make sure it doesn't cost you.

Kivo·5 min read

Moving house with a mortgage: porting vs starting fresh

Porting sounds simple, but it means a full reapplication under today's rules. What actually happens when you move house.

Kivo·7 min read

Buying and selling at the same time: chains, bridging & timing

Most UK home moves depend on a chain of other people's transactions. How to protect your mortgage timeline from delays.

Kivo·6 min read

Credit & Affordability

How much can you actually borrow for a mortgage?

Income multiples, the affordability stress test, and why two people on the same salary can get very different offers.

Kivo·7 min read

Government Schemes

Government schemes for first-time buyers, compared

Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, First Homes, and Shared Ownership compared — which one fits your situation.

Kivo·7 min read

Self-employed and contractor mortgages, explained

How lenders actually assess sole traders, limited company directors and day-rate contractors.

Kivo·7 min read

Getting Started

Mortgage in Principle: what it is, and when to get one

Why timing your Mortgage in Principle matters, how long it lasts, and what it doesn't guarantee.

Kivo·5 min read

Buying With Someone Else

Joint mortgages: buying with a partner, friend or family member

How lenders combine two incomes, why one partner's credit affects the whole application, and what JBSP does.

Kivo·6 min read

Fixed vs tracker vs variable: which rate type fits you

How each rate type actually behaves when rates move, with real August 2026 numbers.

Kivo·6 min read

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