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Mortgages Made Simple: Our Complete Guide to Finding the Right Mortgage 

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make and choosing the right mortgage is a key part of that journey. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, moving home, or reviewing your current deal, understanding your options can help you make confident, informed decisions. 

At One Roof Financial, we’re here to simplify mortgages and guide you every step of the way. 

What is a Mortgage? 

A mortgage is a loan secured against property. It allows you to spread the cost of buying a home over a set number of years, this is known as the ‘term’. 

You’ll usually need a deposit, and the mortgage covers the rest of the property’s value. You’ll then repay the loan in monthly instalments, which include both the amount borrowed and interest (if the loan is on a repayment basis). 

Types of Mortgages Explained 

Choosing the right mortgage depends on your circumstances, goals, and risk appetite. Here are the most common mortgage product types: 

Fixed Rate Mortgages 

Your interest rate stays the same for a set period (e.g. 2, 3, 5 or even 10 years), giving you predictable monthly payments. 

Best for: Stability and budgeting certainty. 

Variable Rate Mortgages 

The interest rate can rise or fall, meaning your monthly payments may change. 

Best for: Flexibility, but comes with the risk of increases. 

Tracker Mortgages 

These follow the Bank of England base rate, plus a set percentage. 

Best for: Potential savings if interest rates fall, but comes with the risk of increases if the base rate rises. 

Discount Mortgages 

These offer a temporary discount off the lender’s standard variable rate. 

Best for: Lower initial payments, but comes with the risk of increases if the standard variable rate rises. 

At One Roof Financial, we can recommend the mortgage product that will best suit your needs. 

How Much Can You Borrow? 

Mortgage lenders assess affordability based on income, outgoings, credit history, and deposit size. Typically, lenders may offer around 4–4.5 times your annual income, but this can vary. At One Roof Financial, we can help you to determine what you can borrow so you can look at properties in the right price range. 

How Much Deposit Do You Need? 

For many lenders, deposits start at 5% of the property value. However there are some schemes for first time buyers where a smaller deposit may be acceptable. At One Roof Financial, we can discuss all the available options with you. 

Our Mortgage Process: Step-by-Step 

  1. Initial Consultation, a phone call with an adviser to discuss your requirements and to ensure we can help you. 
  1. Fact Find, this is our in-depth ‘getting to know you’ meeting so we can make the right recommendations. 
  1. Agreement in Principle, we will help you to get a mortgage approval certificate which will enable you to make an offer on your chosen property. 
  1. Mortgage Application, once you have secured a property, we will make the formal mortgage application for you. 
  1. Valuation & Formal Approval, we will assist you throughout the application process and provide you with updates on the progress of your application right through to the formal offer being issued. 
  1. Future Reviews, we will make contact with you at the appropriate time in the future to review your mortgage options and re-assess your needs and priorities. 

Why Use a Mortgage Broker? 

Working with a broker like One Roof Financial gives you access to a large number of lenders, expert advice, and support throughout the process. 

Remortgaging: Don’t Pay More Than You Need To 

Remortgaging can help you secure a better deal, reduce payments, or release equity from your property. If you are on your lender’s standard variable rate, coming to the end of a deal or want to discuss borrowing additional funds for home improvements, please get in touch with us to see if we can help. 

Buying Your First Home? 

We help first-time buyers understand affordability, deposits, and the full process with clear, supportive advice. If you are thinking of getting on the property ladder, please get in touch with us to see if we can help. 

Why Choose One Roof Financial? 

We provide personalised advice, and ongoing support focused on your long-term goals. 

Ready to Get Started? 

Get in touch with us today to arrange a no-obligation chat with an adviser. 

📞 Call us on 01455 63 61 63 
📅 Or message us to book: 
👉 https://onerooffinancial.co.uk/contact/ 

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. 

Blog written 11/06/2026 

The information contained within this blog was correct at the time of publication (11/06/2026), and is subject to change.  

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Client testimonials

See what our clients have to say about us! Use the arrows to navigate through our testimonials.

L.S, Leicestershire

Caroline was absolutely incredible. She is extremely knowledgeable and she takes the time to answer any questions you may have. She is friendly, approachable and was supportive throughout the whole process. I would definitely recommend one roof to anyone!

S.R, Hinckley

I was recommended to Caroline by a friend. Following unforeseen circumstances i contacted and arranged a meeting. After our meeting Caroline kept me updated with the process of what i was going through. Once the process had completed Caroline still kept in touch to make sure there was nothing further i needed. I would highly recommend One Roof Financial to family and friends.

Megan L, Nuneaton

Highly recommend Caroline at One Roof Financial! She always goes above and beyond to support us, from supporting us with our first mortgage, annual reviews, remortgaging and additional things such as finding us the best home insurance quotes. We always feel extremely confident with the recommendations Caroline provides as we know she will have done extensive research to provide us with the best advice. I have recommended Caroline to multiple people and will continue to do so.

Mrs F, Hinckley

Caroline was happy to explain anything further and in more detail if we didn’t understand any aspect. Her knowledge and professionalism is fantastic and she is just a lovely lady. Would highly recommend Caroline and One Roof Financial to anyone.

S Simpson, Warwickshire

Expert advice, detailed analysis of what’s best for you specifically and thoughtful, approachable people. Amazing at explaining things in a way that’s clear and easy to grasp. I’ll be continuing to use One Roof Financial for quite some time!

Mr O from Hampshire

What are you particularly pleased with? The ease of choosing the product and the speed of which we completed.

Mr C, Hinckley

Caroline, is incredibly helpful, knowledgeable and supportive and is an all round lovely person!

Mr Sealey, Leicestershire

I have been using them for years and they make dealing with mortgages so simple and easy. Very friendly, transparent and great value as they will advise existing customers for free.

Mr F, Warwick

Caroline has worked with me for many years arranging mortgages, insurances, and also helping with some fantastic referrals in the property industry. Caroline is and always has been exceptional in my opinion. I highly respect her unflappable style, and no matter what pressure I apply, she will not be rushed in ensuring all i’s are dotted and all t’s are crossed before she gives the very best advice.

Mr N, Leicestershire

Caroline was a huge help during our journey as first time buyers. She was always on the other end of the phone when needed. Couldn’t recommend her enough.

Mr Curtis, Leicestershire

We have used One Roof for our mortgage and subsequent remortgages for over 10 years, and can highly recommend the team. Friendly and approachable, but also professional and across the detail.

Anom

Is there anything we can improve? No service is first class!!!

Tammy B, Leicestershire

What are you particularly pleased with? The advisers knowledge and efficiency is second to none.

Mr Cook, Coventry

Fantastic Service from Caroline at One Roof, super helpful, hardworking and knowledgeable, would highly recommend One Roof Financial to anyone, Caroline’s advice and work not only eliminated any stress but also saved us a considerable amount of money

Mr Dunkley, Leics

What are you particularly pleased with? Caroline’s quick response and professionalism

Mrs H, Burbage

What were you most impressed with? The human aspect . When so many people are only contactable via email. To have a person to talk to is amazing.

Mr Cook, Coventry

Communication has been fantastic, Caroline is very helpful in answering any questions quickly and honestly.

Sam S, Leics

What are you particularly pleased with? Caroline’s commitment to me as a client and her attention to detail is second-to-none.

L C Guildford

We highly recommend Caroline and the team to anyone in need of mortgage/insurance advice, and feel very grateful to have been looked after so well during our house buying journey. We know that we are in very safe hands moving forward.

C L Surrey

Communication was excellent throughout the process, with Caroline providing regular updates to keep us informed every step of the way. Her professionalism and approachable manner made what was a stressful process for first time buyers feel smooth and straightforward.

L C Guildford

We had a fantastic experience working with Caroline and the team at One Roof Financial for our mortgage and insurance. From start to finish, Caroline was attentive, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable. She took the time to explain everything clearly, ensuring we fully understood our options and felt confident in our decisions.

A & J, Burbage

Thank you so much for your support with our mortgage. As always, you are a super star!

C W, Hinckley

10 stars for Caroline. She helped us every step of the way with purchasing our first house. She gave us all the information we needed, explained everything to us in layman terms so we understood. Answered all of the questions we have and made everything much easier! We would have been so lost without Caroline and we cannot thank her enough for all the hard work, help and support she gave us! Thank you!

FBW, London

Caroline was great from start to finish. Professional, knowledgeable and very timely with responses and getting all the paperwork sorted – not only for the mortgage, but life insurance, critical illness and all the other things that come with buying a house! I have already recommended her to friends who are looking to move in the new year.

NI, Hinckley

Caroline was great and guided me through the whole process of my remortgage and life insurance. I would highly recommend 100%.

Miss G, Nuneaton

Amazing communication and easy to talk to. Took into consideration my budget and kept me up to date with the process throughout.

IS, Hinckley

We have used Caroline for many years as we find her to be very professional. She is very helpful and informative which makes the whole mortgage selection and choosing the correct related services stress free. We recommend One Roof Financial 100%

Matt K, Hinckley

Service and advice is always top notch!

S Green, Leicestershire

Caroline is great and explained the whole process really clearly. It was great having her there to sort things for me as my application wasn’t completely mainstream due to my senior years and I’m so happy and thankful to be in my own place again. Thank you so much :)

C Kirton, Warwickshire

Caroline has been clear, considerate, and extremely helpful every step of the way. Her expertise and professionalism have been second to none and have made my partner and I feel very comfortable from day 1.