Mortgages

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Helping you buy your dream home

Masterplan Financial are a professional mortgage brokerage formed to provide straightforward advice together with a level of service, framed with technology, that is tailored to fit around your work and home life commitments.

We aim to challenge your pre-conceived ideas of what a mortgage broker is, taking time to really understand your needs and objectives before making any recommendations. We know that when it comes to major life choices – such as buying property and protecting your lifestyle and family – getting it wrong can be costly, so working with you to find about your present situation helps us to advise you on shaping your financial future.

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How we work

We source our products from the whole of the market, making sure you have the best arrangements in place for your individual situation. We are unbiased and not tied to any bank, building society or other financial institution and never will be.

We specialise in working with individuals or businesses whose requirements are unique and sometimes complex, recognising that most clients have different or unusual requirements. Our clients often have complex financial circumstances that may not “tick all of the boxes” in a conventional lenders application process. In these instances, we work very closely with senior underwriters at many of the High Street Banks. We also have access to Private Banks and Specialist lenders, many who allow us to access their products on an exclusive basis.

 

Areas where we are able assist:

  • Residential purchase or remortgage.
  • Self-employed and contractor mortgages
  • Buy to Let – either as an individual or as company
  • Commercial Mortgages
  • Mortgages for clients with historic adverse credit history
  • First time buyers
  • Let to Buy
  • Bridging Finance
  • Development Finance
  • Asset Finance
  • Invoice Finance

FAQs Mortgages

What is a mortgage broker and why should I use one?

A mortgage broker acts as an intermediary between you and mortgage lenders. Rather than approaching individual banks or building societies directly — and being limited to their own products — a broker searches the whole of the market to find the most suitable deal for your circumstances. Masterplan Financial is a whole-of-market mortgage broker, meaning we are not tied to any bank, building society or lender. We work in your interest, not theirs.

When you go directly to a bank, you can only access their own range of mortgage products. Masterplan Financial sources mortgages from the whole of the market — including high street banks, building societies, private banks, and specialist lenders, many of whom offer us exclusive access to products not available directly to the public. We also specialise in complex and unusual cases that standard lenders may struggle to accommodate, and we work closely with senior underwriters to find solutions where others cannot.

Yes. Masterplan Financial is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA Reference Number: 746267. You can verify this on the FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk. All mortgage advice we provide is regulated, meaning you benefit from the protections of the UK’s financial regulatory framework.

We offer a free, no-obligation discovery meeting to understand your needs and objectives before making any recommendations. You can arrange this by calling us on 0121 355 0905 or by emailing info@masterplan-fs.com. We are flexible and happy to work around your schedule.

Yes. Residential purchase mortgages are one of our core services. Whether you are buying your first home, moving to a larger property, or downsizing, we take the time to understand your situation before searching the whole of the market for the most appropriate mortgage. We guide you through the entire process — from initial enquiry through to completion.

A remortgage is the process of switching your existing mortgage to a new deal — either with your current lender or a different one. Common reasons to remortgage include: your current fixed-rate deal is ending and you want to avoid reverting to a standard variable rate; you want to release equity from your property; you want to reduce your monthly payments; or you want to consolidate other debts. Masterplan Financial can review your current arrangements and advise whether remortgaging makes financial sense for your circumstances.

The amount you can borrow depends on several factors: your income and employment type, your outgoings and existing credit commitments, the size of your deposit, your credit history, and the lender’s individual criteria. Masterplan Financial will assess your full financial picture and identify lenders most likely to offer you the best terms before you make a formal application — protecting your credit score by not submitting multiple applications to different lenders.

A fixed-rate mortgage locks your interest rate — and therefore your monthly repayment — for a set period (typically 2, 3, or 5 years). This gives certainty and protection if interest rates rise. A variable-rate mortgage (including trackers and standard variable rates) can go up or down in line with the Bank of England base rate or the lender’s own rate. The right choice depends on your circumstances, risk tolerance, and outlook on interest rates. Masterplan Financial will help you compare the options and choose the most suitable deal.

Most lenders require a minimum deposit of 5–10% of the property’s purchase price, though a larger deposit (20% or more) typically unlocks better interest rates and lower monthly repayments. The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio — the mortgage amount as a percentage of the property value — is a key factor in what rate you are offered. Masterplan Financial can advise on the most appropriate LTV for your situation and help you understand what deposit level gives you access to the most competitive products.

Absolutely. We love helping first-time buyers navigate what can feel like an overwhelming process. We explain everything clearly — from how mortgages work, to what government schemes might be available to you, to what to expect at each stage of the purchase. We take a holistic view of your finances and search the whole market to find a mortgage that suits your budget, goals, and circumstances.

Several government-backed schemes exist to help first-time buyers in the UK, including the Lifetime ISA (LISA), which provides a 25% government bonus on savings used towards a first home, and Shared Ownership, which allows you to buy a percentage of a property and pay rent on the rest. Eligibility criteria and scheme availability can change, so Masterplan Financial will discuss the current options and help you identify what you may qualify for.

Yes. Self-employed mortgages are a specialist area for Masterplan Financial. While some high street lenders apply rigid criteria that can make it difficult for self-employed applicants, we have access to lenders — including private banks and specialist providers — who take a more flexible, holistic view of your income. Whether you are a sole trader, partner, or limited company director, we will identify the most appropriate lender and help you present your finances in the strongest possible way.

Most mainstream lenders require a minimum of two years’ worth of accounts or SA302 tax calculations to evidence your income. However, some specialist lenders will consider applications with just one year of trading history, particularly for strong earners or those moving from employment into self-employment in the same field. Masterplan Financial will identify the most suitable lender based on your specific trading history and income structure.

Yes. Contractors often face challenges with standard mortgage applications because their income is project-based rather than salaried. Masterplan Financial specialises in contractor mortgages and works with lenders who assess income based on daily or annual contract rate rather than requiring years of accounts. Whether you are an IT contractor, locum, or freelancer, we have the experience and lender relationships to find you a competitive deal.

Yes. We arrange buy-to-let mortgages for both individual landlords and those purchasing through a limited company (sometimes called a Special Purpose Vehicle or SPV). Buy-to-let mortgage criteria differ from residential mortgages — lenders typically assess the rental income potential of the property alongside your personal income. Masterplan Financial will help you identify the most tax-efficient ownership structure and the most suitable mortgage product

This depends on your individual tax position, number of properties, and long-term plans. Since the restriction of mortgage interest relief for individual landlords (Section 24), many higher-rate taxpayers find it more tax-efficient to hold investment property through a limited company. However, this comes with its own costs and complexities. Masterplan Financial can work alongside your accountant to help you understand which structure best suits your circumstances before you proceed.

A let-to-buy arrangement allows you to let out your existing home (converting your current residential mortgage to a buy-to-let) while simultaneously purchasing a new residential property. This can be a useful strategy if you want to move home but retain your current property as an investment. Masterplan Financial specialises in let-to-buy transactions and can coordinate both mortgages — ensuring the timing and lending criteria align across both properties.

Yes. We regularly assist clients with historic adverse credit, including missed payments, defaults, CCJs (County Court Judgements), IVAs, and even previous bankruptcy. While a poor credit history does limit the lenders available to you, it does not necessarily prevent you from getting a mortgage. Masterplan Financial has access to specialist and adverse credit lenders who assess applications on a case-by-case basis. We will review your credit history and identify the most realistic and cost-effective path forward.

A commercial mortgage is used to purchase or refinance business property — such as offices, retail units, warehouses, or mixed-use buildings. Unlike residential mortgages, commercial lending is assessed primarily on the viability of the business and the property’s income potential. Masterplan Financial arranges commercial mortgages for business owners, investors, and developers and has access to both high street and specialist commercial lenders.

Bridging finance is short-term funding — typically from one month to 24 months — used to ‘bridge’ a gap between a property purchase and longer-term financing or the sale of another property. Common uses include: purchasing a property at auction (where completion is required within 28 days), buying a property in need of significant renovation before it is mortgageable, or funding a purchase when your existing home has not yet sold. Masterplan Financial arranges both regulated and unregulated bridging loans and will advise on whether bridging is appropriate for your situation.

Yes. We arrange development finance for residential and commercial property development projects — from small conversions and refurbishments through to larger ground-up developments. Development finance is typically structured as a facility that releases funds in stages as the build progresses. Masterplan Financial works with specialist development lenders to structure the most appropriate facility for your project, taking into account purchase costs, build costs, and anticipated gross development value (GDV).

Our process is straightforward and built around your schedule:

• Step 1 – Free discovery meeting: We listen to understand your needs, objectives, and financial situation

• Step 2 – Whole-of-market research: We search the entire market to identify the most suitable options

• Step 3 – Recommendation: We present our recommendation and explain clearly why it is right for you

• Step 4 – Application: We manage the application process on your behalf, liaising with the lender

• Step 5 – Completion: We remain on hand through to completion and beyond for ongoing advice

Whilst exact requirements vary by lender, you will typically need:

• Proof of identity (passport or driving licence)

• Proof of address (recent utility bill or bank statement)

• Last 3 months’ payslips (employed) or 2-3 years’ accounts / SA302s (self-employed)

• Last 3 months’ bank statements

• Proof of deposit (bank statements or gift letter if applicable)

• Details of any existing credit commitments

• Masterplan Financial will provide a personalised document checklist at the outset

A mortgage agreement in principle (also called a decision in principle) is a statement from a lender confirming how much they are willing to lend you, subject to full underwriting. Estate agents often ask to see an AIP before accepting an offer on a property, as it demonstrates that you have financing in place. Masterplan Financial can arrange a mortgage in principle for you quickly, using lenders who carry out a soft credit search to protect your credit score.

Mortgage protection insurance — typically life insurance written to cover your mortgage balance — is not a legal requirement but is strongly advisable. If you were to die during the mortgage term, the policy would pay off the outstanding balance, ensuring your family do not lose the home. Masterplan Financial can arrange appropriate protection alongside your mortgage, searching the whole market for the most competitive and comprehensive cover. We also advise on income protection and critical illness cover to protect your ability to meet mortgage payments if you cannot work.

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