Mortgages & Home Buying
Everything you need to move from renting to owning — or to manage a mortgage you already have. Work out what you can borrow, budget for the hidden costs of buying, choose the right mortgage type, and decide whether overpaying is worth it for you.
Start with a calculator
Put your own numbers in first — the guides below explain what the results mean and what to do next.
How much can I borrow?
Before you fall in love with a property, find out what a lender will actually offer you.
What will buying actually cost me upfront?
The deposit is only part of it. Stamp Duty, surveys, legal fees and moving costs add up fast.
Walking through the whole purchase
The end-to-end process from saving a deposit to collecting the keys.
Choosing and understanding a mortgage
Once you know what you can borrow, compare the product types so you pick the right one.
Should I overpay my mortgage?
Overpaying can save tens of thousands in interest — but it is not always the best use of spare cash.
Choose the right guide
Several pages in this area cover related questions. Use this to pick the one that matches what you are actually trying to do.
- “How much can I borrow?”
- Use the affordability guide — it covers income multiples and stress tests. Mortgage affordability for first-time buyers
- “What will the whole purchase cost me?”
- Use the budgeting checklist for the full upfront cost breakdown. First-time buyer budgeting checklist
- “Walk me through buying from start to finish”
- The master guide covers the entire process in order. First-time buyer's master guide
- “Which mortgage type should I pick?”
- The comprehensive guide compares fixed, tracker and interest-only products. Comprehensive mortgage guide
Related topic hubs
Every guide in this hub is written and maintained by Shaun da Silva, Finance Consultant. SmartMoneyTools provides educational estimates only — not financial advice. Read our financial disclaimer and editorial policy.