Primary evidence first
Official regulatory and public-sector sources support material factual claims.
Research, guides and market context
Mortgage insights, research and practical guides.
Source-led mortgage guides and practical property finance research, written to help you understand the decision before you speak to an adviser.
Latest analysis
Direct answers, followed by the evidence.
Current UK mortgage explainers reviewed by a named adviser and supported by regulatory or public-sector sources.
Blog · Homeowners
Worried about losing home equity? What recent buyers should know
A fall in a property estimate is not automatically negative equity. The useful question is how the current value compares with the mortgage balance and your plans.
8 minute read · Reviewed 4 Aug 2026Read the analysis
Blog · First-time buyers
Low-deposit mortgages for first-time buyers
A 5% deposit can be enough for some first-time buyer mortgages, but it is only one part of a safe and realistic home-buying plan.
8 minute read · Reviewed 4 Aug 2026Read the analysis
Research · Secured borrowing
Second charge mortgage or remortgage: how to compare
The right comparison keeps an existing mortgage, a new remortgage and other borrowing routes on the same total-cost page.
10 minute read · Reviewed 4 Aug 2026Read the analysis
Research · Mortgage market
What Bank Rate means for your mortgage
Bank Rate can affect mortgage costs, but the timing and size of the effect depend on the mortgage type and the lender's pricing.
7 minute read · Reviewed 4 Aug 2026Read the analysisResearch
Evidence and context behind the mortgage market.
Source-led analysis of regulation, borrowing costs and the choices that can change a mortgage outcome.
Secured borrowing
Second charge mortgage or remortgage: how to compare
The right comparison keeps an existing mortgage, a new remortgage and other borrowing routes on the same total-cost page.
10 minute readRead the researchMortgage market
What Bank Rate means for your mortgage
Bank Rate can affect mortgage costs, but the timing and size of the effect depend on the mortgage type and the lender's pricing.
7 minute readRead the researchBlogs
Timely explainers for real mortgage questions.
Accessible updates that turn a changing market or common question into clear next steps.
Homeowners
Worried about losing home equity? What recent buyers should know
A fall in a property estimate is not automatically negative equity. The useful question is how the current value compares with the mortgage balance and your plans.
8 minute readFirst-time buyers
Low-deposit mortgages for first-time buyers
A 5% deposit can be enough for some first-time buyer mortgages, but it is only one part of a safe and realistic home-buying plan.
8 minute readOpinion
A clear adviser view on the decisions behind the product.
Named professional perspective, separated clearly from factual reporting and personal advice.
Featured guide
Remortgaging: compare more than the new monthly payment
Define what needs to change, then compare a new lender with the current lender on fees, term, total cost and flexibility as well as rate.
- Remortgage
- Move to a different lender
- Product transfer
- Stay with the same lender
- Key comparison
- Total cost and term
Practical guides
Start with the question in front of you.
First charge mortgages
First-time buyer
Build a realistic first-home plan around your deposit, purchase costs, monthly budget and the property, not only the largest mortgage you might obtain.
Reviewed 31 Jul 2026Read the guideSecond charge mortgages
Debt consolidation
A lower monthly payment is not automatically a saving. Examine the cause of the debt, total cost, longer term and risk of securing it on your home.
Reviewed 31 Jul 2026Read the guide
Buy-to-let mortgages
First-time landlord
Finance for a first rental property should be assessed alongside the rent, running costs and legal responsibilities that make the letting sustainable.
Reviewed 31 Jul 2026Read the guide
Bridging finance
Auction finance
Auction funding, legal review and valuation should be prepared before the bid because the conditions may make the winning buyer contractually committed immediately.
Reviewed 31 Jul 2026Read the guide
Commercial mortgages
Buy business premises
Plan an owner-occupied commercial mortgage around the business, the building and the full cost of ownership, not the purchase price alone.
Reviewed 1 Aug 2026Read the guide
Protection advice
Protect a mortgage
Start with the financial risk you want to cover, then compare life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection without treating them as one product.
Reviewed 1 Aug 2026Read the guideWhat you will find here
Information organised around a real financial decision.
Charles Frank Finance publishes UK mortgage, property finance and protection guidance for homeowners, landlords, business owners and professional introducers. We separate general market context from personal advice and explain the assumptions, alternatives and risks that can change the answer.
Our guides favour primary public-sector and regulatory sources. Product availability and lender criteria can change, so general information should be checked against your complete circumstances before you make a financial commitment.
Our editorial standard
Useful enough to act on. Careful enough to trust.
Financial information should make uncertainty visible. We explain what is general, what depends on lender criteria and when legal, tax or regulated personal advice is needed.
Meet the Charles Frank teamReviewed and dated
Guides show when they were reviewed and are updated when the underlying position changes.
Context before conclusions
Rates and criteria are considered alongside cost, risk, alternatives and the intended outcome.
From research to advice
General guidance can narrow the questions. Your circumstances decide the answer.
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