MORTGAGES

Specialized mortgage and property finance solutions tailored to your unique needs. From first-time buyers to self-employed entrepreneurs, we've got the right mortgage for you.

RESIDENTIAL

Whether you're a first-time buyer or home mover, we'll find the right mortgage for you.

First time buyers

Remortgages

Home Movers

Product Transfers

from £349*

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BUY TO LET

Experienced investor, or new to the game, we support your funding needs.

Personal BTL

Company BTL

Portfolio Landlords

Bridging

from £349*

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SPECIALIST

Some mortgages don't fit into the standard boxes, luckily, we love a creative solution.

Complex Incomes

Adverse Credit

Commercial Funding

Specialist Schemes

from £349*

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YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE

OUR PROCESS

7-STEP MORTGAGE PROCESS

PRO TIPS:

Speak to your broker, as a good one can improve your chances of getting a mortgage significantly.
An independent broker is best placed to find the best solution for you, as they are not tied to any lender.
Each lender has their own lending criteria; however, brokers can also discuss cases with their BDMs, which may result in some flexibility being shown to fit a case that's on the edge of criteria. Not something you can get without a broker!

INITIAL CONSULTATION

Establish your goals with your broker

FACT FIND

Providing all your personal and financial information to your broker
With us, it's online, but many firms still send out forms to be filled

AFFORDABILITY / BUDGET

Your broker will calculate your affordability across multiple lenders, giving you a rough budget for your purchase

ILLUSTRATIONS / ESIS

Your broker will send you some example mortgage products, giving you key information on potential mortgages from lenders who's criteria fits your circumstances

DECISION IN PRINCIPLE

Once you've chosen a lender, your broker will input your data allowing the lender to do a soft credit search and firm up the amount they're likely to lend you
Many estate agents require this when making an offer

MORTGAGE APPLICATION

You've found a property and had an offer accepted
Your broker keys the full application, providing all information on you and the property, so your lender can do a hard credit search and value the property
The lender's underwriter will assess the overall risk between you and the property and hopefully provide a mortgage offer!

MORTGAGE OFFER

This is confirmation that the lender is willing to lend you the money needed for your purchase/remortgage
They are binding on the lender, except in a few extraordinary circumstances

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MORTGAGE FAQs

HOW MUCH CAN I BORROW FOR A MORTGAGE?

Most lenders will typically lend between 4 to 5.5 times your annual income, though this can vary based on your individual circumstances.

As specialists in self-employed mortgages, we work with lenders who understand how to properly assess contractor income, limited company dividends, and business profits.

Your borrowing capacity will depend on factors including your income type, credit history, existing commitments, and the deposit you have available. We'll calculate your maximum borrowing potential across multiple lenders to give you an accurate budget.

WHAT IS AN OFFSET MORTGAGE AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

An Offset Mortgage links a savings account to your mortgage. Rather than earning interest on your savings, the balance of the linked saving's account offsets your mortgage balance, effectively reducing how much you owe. The interest due on your mortgage is calculated using this reduced mortgage balance, saving you interest.

An example:

You have a £200,000 mortgage balance, with £50,000 in your offset account. Rather than paying interest on £200,000, you would pay interest on £150,000 (£200,000 balance minus £50,000 in Offset Savings account)

HOW LONG DOES THE MORTGAGE APPLICATION PROCESS TAKE?

The timeline can vary, but typically from initial consultation to mortgage offer takes 3-6 weeks. A Decision in Principle can usually be obtained within 24-48 hours.

The full application process depends on how quickly you can provide documentation, the lender's processing times, and the complexity of your case. Self-employed applications may take slightly longer as lenders require additional documentation such as accounts and tax calculations.

We streamline this process by ensuring all documentation is correct before submission and maintaining close contact with lenders throughout.

WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED FOR A MORTGAGE APPLICATION?

For employed applicants, you'll typically need 3 months' payslips, 3 months' bank statements, photo ID, and proof of address.

Self-employed applicants require 2-3 years' accounts or tax calculations (SA302s) and corresponding tax year overviews, plus business bank statements. If you're a contractor, we may need your contract and day rate details. For limited company directors, we'll need company accounts and proof of dividend payments.

We'll provide you with a comprehensive checklist specific to your circumstances and guide you through gathering everything needed to ensure a smooth application process.

DO I NEED A MORTGAGE BROKER OR CAN I APPLY DIRECTLY?

Whilst you can apply directly to lenders, using a broker offers significant advantages. We have access to exclusive rates and products not available on the high street, including specialist lenders for self-employed and complex cases.

We compare thousands of mortgage products to find the best fit for your circumstances, not just the best rate. Our expertise means we can navigate complicated cases and negotiate with lenders on your behalf. We handle all the paperwork and liaise with lenders throughout the process.

For most clients, especially the self-employed, using a broker significantly improves your chances of approval and securing the best possible deal. Our service is typically free for residential mortgages as we're paid by the lender.

WHAT IS A DECISION IN PRINCIPLE AND DO I NEED ONE?

A Decision in Principle (DIP), also called an Agreement in Principle or Mortgage in Principle, is a statement from a lender indicating how much they'd be willing to lend you based on an initial assessment of your finances. It involves a soft credit check that won't affect your credit score.

Most estate agents require a DIP before accepting an offer, as it demonstrates you're a serious buyer with funding in place. A DIP is typically valid for 60-90 days and gives you confidence when house hunting.

It's not a guarantee of a mortgage offer, as the lender will conduct a full assessment later, but it's a crucial step in the home-buying process. We can arrange a DIP quickly once we've completed your fact find.

WHAT DEPOSIT DO I NEED FOR A MORTGAGE?

The minimum deposit is typically 5% of the property value, though some lenders require 10% or more. A larger deposit generally gives you access to better interest rates and more favourable terms. For example, a 25% deposit often unlocks significantly better rates than a 10% deposit.

First-time buyers may access government schemes requiring smaller deposits. For self-employed applicants, some lenders prefer larger deposits (15-20%) due to perceived higher risk, though we work with lenders who offer competitive rates at lower deposit levels. Buy-to-let mortgages typically require a minimum 25% deposit.

We'll help you understand how different deposit amounts affect your borrowing options and monthly payments.

WILL BAD CREDIT AFFECT MY MORTGAGE APPLICATION?

Bad credit can affect your mortgage application, but it doesn't necessarily prevent you from getting a mortgage. The impact depends on the type, severity, and timing of the credit issues. Minor late payments from several years ago will have less impact than recent defaults or CCJs.

Some lenders specialise in adverse credit mortgages, though rates may be higher. We work with lenders across the spectrum, from high street banks to specialist lenders. Being self-employed with credit issues can be more challenging, but we have experience navigating these situations.

It's important to be upfront about credit history so we can approach the right lenders first, avoiding unnecessary credit searches that could further impact your score. Sometimes waiting a few months to improve your credit position can result in significantly better rates.

SHOULD I CHOOSE A FIXED OR VARIABLE RATE MORTGAGE?

This depends on your personal circumstances and risk tolerance. Fixed-rate mortgages offer certainty with the same interest rate for a set period (typically 2, 3, 5, or 10 years), protecting you from rate increases but also preventing you from benefiting if rates fall.

Variable rates fluctuate with the market – tracker mortgages follow the Bank of England base rate, whilst standard variable rates are set by individual lenders. Variable rates can be lower initially but carry more risk.

For most clients, especially those on tight budgets or with income variability, we recommend fixed rates for predictability. The choice also depends on market conditions and rate predictions. We'll discuss your financial situation, plans, and risk appetite to recommend the most suitable option for you.

CAN I GET A MORTGAGE IF I'M SELF-EMPLOYED FOR LESS THAN 2 YEARS?

Yes, it's possible to get a mortgage with less than 2 years of self-employed accounts, though it can be more challenging. Some lenders will consider applications with just one year's accounts, particularly if you have a strong track record in the same industry as an employed person previously.

Contractors with a solid contract history may find it easier, as some lenders assess day rates rather than requiring full accounts. Having a larger deposit (25%+) can help, as can demonstrating consistent or growing income.

The range of lenders and products may be more limited, and rates might be slightly higher, but it's certainly achievable. We specialise in these types of cases and know which lenders are most flexible with trading history requirements. We'll assess your specific situation and explore all available options.

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GET DOUGH

Your trusted partner for financial solutions, protection, and property advice.

SERVICES

Residential Mortgages Buy to Let Mortgages Specialist Mortgages Personal Protection Company Protection Business Benefits

COMPANY

CONTACT

Get Dough Limited +447306 893 086 info@getdough.co.uk Unit 208 Leroy House
436 Essex Road
London, N1 3QP

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE

Get Dough Limited (1036370) is an appointed representative of BSL Financial Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under FRN 816566.