Category: Mortgages
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2025’s Hidden Homebuyer Tricks: 5 Loopholes Banks Don’t Want You to Know
IntroductionThe 2025 property market is tougher than ever—higher rates, stricter affordability checks, and bidding wars on anything decent. But while banks tighten the screws, smart buyers are exploiting these 5 little-known loopholes to slash costs, skip deposits, and even lock in sub-3% mortgage rates. Here’s what agents won’t tell you—but Empreso will. 1. The “Ghost Listing” Discount (Save 10-15%)…
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2025’s Secret First-Time Buyer Loophole: How to ‘Inherit’ a Mortgage Rate
Introduction First-time buyers in 2025 face a brutal reality: average mortgage rates hovering near 5%, house prices still 20% above pre-pandemic levels, and affordability rules getting stricter. But there’s an under-the-radar strategy gaining traction—one that lets you “inherit” a sub-3% mortgage rate from a seller. This little-known portable mortgage loophole is helping savvy buyers save £300+/month—and in some cases, even take over a…
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What Is Stamp Duty?
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), commonly known as stamp duty, is a tax you may have to pay when you buy property or land in England or Northern Ireland. The amount you owe depends on several factors: The rules and thresholds can change at short notice, so it’s important to get up-to-date advice before committing…
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Why Your Credit File Matters — And How to Check It the Right Way
Have you ever been told that your credit is “good” or “bad” — but had no idea what that actually means? Whether you’re looking to buy your first home, refinance a mortgage, or even apply for a credit card, your credit file can significantly influence the outcome. But what is a credit file, and why…
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I’m New to Property — Where Should I Start?
Welcome! If you’re reading this, it means you’re curious about stepping into the world of property — and that alone deserves recognition. Whether you’re looking to build wealth, change careers, or simply explore how property works, the most important step is the first one: getting connected with people, platforms, and knowledge that can support your…
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Buy-to-Let vs. Buy-to-Live: Which Strategy Wins in Today’s UK Property Market?
The debate between buy-to-let (BTL) investing and buying a home to live in (buy-to-live) remains as relevant as ever—but the rules of the game have shifted in 2025’s UK property market. With interest rates stabilising, new housing policies, and evolving tenant demands, both strategies come with fresh opportunities and challenges. At Empreso, we help clients navigate these decisions—whether they’re first-time buyers, growing families, or…
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🏚️ Mortgages for Structurally Unsound Properties — What You Need to Know Before You Buy
Buying a home is already a big deal. But when a property is flagged as structurally unsound, the stakes — and the questions — rise fast. Can you even get a mortgage?Is it worth the risk?Could it still be a smart investment? At Empreso, we work with buyers across the UK who encounter these dilemmas…
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Understanding Bridging Loans:
A Powerful Tool on the Mortgage Spectrum In the world of property finance, not every solution fits neatly into the standard mortgage box. Sometimes, speed and flexibility are more important than long-term affordability. This is where bridging loans come in — a short-term funding option designed to help buyers, investors, and developers act quickly when…
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How Gifted Deposits and High LTV Mortgages Are Opening Doors to Property Ownership
For many aspiring homeowners, the biggest obstacle to buying their first property isn’t the monthly mortgage payment—it’s finding the deposit. In a market where house prices have outpaced wage growth, saving a 10% or 15% deposit can take years, especially for those also paying rent. One of the lesser-known ways to overcome this hurdle is…
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Don’t Let a Blemished Credit Report Stop You:
Why All Is Not Lost with a Less-than-Perfect Credit File “A poor credit score is not the end of the road—it’s the beginning of your financial self-awareness.” Many people wrongly assume that once their credit file shows a few missed payments, a default, or a CCJ (County Court Judgment), their hopes of buying a home…