Premium mortgage products

Whether you are a first-time buyer investing in a new build property or a Right to Buy scheme, an established homeowner in search of a better deal by switching lenders, or a commercial borrower in search of competitive financing for a real estate purchase for your business, Donkey Finance are in the perfect position to provide a fast and flexible, dedicated funding solution.With the Bank of England base rates at an all-time low, the time to acquire a fantastic deal on a fixed rate mortgage or variable rate tracker product has never been better. At Donkey Finance, we pride ourselves on offering a whole-of-market lending facility which ensures our clients get the best possible rates on a wide range of highly intelligent mortgaging products from a diverse panel of facilities, including a broad spectrum of mainstream lenders and an exclusive selection of private investors who will consider any application by virtue.

Residential mortgages & FCA regulated bridging products

In addition to being able to offer a complete range of residential mortgaging products with secured borrowing terms ranging from 5 to 35 years, we also specialise in short-term loan facilities such as FCA regulated bridging loans. These are ideal when you have found a new home that you would like to purchase at short notice, whilst awaiting the outcome of an existing property sale.We also offer an affordable range of Buy-to-Let mortgage products that are aimed squarely at landlords and buy-to-let investors in search of maximising their profits through competitive financing. Whatever your needs, Donkey Finance is here to help and we can also provide free and impartial, expert advice on all matters property-related in order to ensure you get the best possible product based on your individual borrowing criteria.

First-time buyer mortgages

Buying your first home is very exciting but it can be difficult for some first time buyers to not only understand the process but also to get the necessary financing for their purchase. Rather than struggling to get on the property ladder, taking advantage of housing schemes will make home ownership affordable and within reach. The government has stepped in to help buyers who are interesting in purchasing their first home get the money and support that they need to make their dreams come true.The Help to Buy loan scheme makes it possible for first time buyers to get the money that they need for their deposit for a new home. At Donkey Finance we make it easy for borrowers, who already have saved 5% of the purchase price of a home, discover if they are eligible to borrow up to 20% more of the price of their new home. This then allows them to apply for a mortgage for the remainder of the cost. Because these loans do not require interest payments for the first five years, they make it easy for buyers to purchase their first home.It's easy to get started as a first time buyer as long as you have all of the paperwork and information that you need to begin the borrowing process. While many people look for a home first, and then try to secure financing, it is best to talk to us about the amount of money that you can borrow before searching for property. With information on your income, as well as your monthly responsibilities, it's easy for our specialists to determine the amount that you can borrow.While there are a number of different mortgage deals for first time buyers, there are two main types, those with variable rates and those with a fixed rate. Fixed rate products will have a rate that stays the same for a set number of years, while variable rates products will have an interest rate that will go up and down as it is tied to the base rate of the Bank of England. There are pros and cons for both types, and only by talking to one of our experts will a borrower be able to determine which will work best in his or her situation.

Buy-to-let mortgages

If you are interested in refinancing or purchasing property that will be let to tenants, then you will need to consider using a Buy to Let mortgage. This type of financing is available only to borrowers who are not going to be living in their property, and it is generally classified as a business transaction. The fees and rates tend to be higher than ones that you would have to pay if you were getting a traditional residential mortgage, and you will also have to generally pay more for your deposit, but we can help you find a Buy to Let mortgage with the lowest fees. Unlike traditional mortgages, it's normal to expect to have to have between 75% and 85% loan to value with this type of mortgage.There are some risks involved in using Buy to Let mortgages, especially because some landlords have difficulty keeping a tenant in their property. If you are going to rely on your rental income to be able to pay your mortgage, then you will need to make sure that your property is always occupied. If you are unable to pay your mortgage, then there is a very good chance that the property may be repossessed. Having a solid plan for any updates that you are going to make to the property, how you will afford them, and how you will keep a tenant in the property will relieve the stress of this type of mortgage.The criteria for a Buy to Let mortgage is not based upon the income of the borrowers, but, rather, on how much rent the property will be able to demand. Many lenders require the borrower to be able to prove that they can obtain more than enough rent to cover the monthly payments on the property. It is not unheard of for lenders to demand that borrowers have rental income that is between 125-130% of the monthly payment.This type of mortgage is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The best way to determine whether or not a Buy to Let mortgage is the right decision for you is to call us at Donkey Finance and talk to us about your needs, the property you are interested in buying, and the amount of rental income you expect to receive each month.

Frequently asked questions

How do mortgages work?

A mortgage is essentially a high-value loan, which is secured on the property you intend to purchase. Unlike a typical secured loan however, qualifying for a mortgage can be notoriously difficult.The first step in the application process is to determine how much you can afford to borrow. You’ll need to consider what kinds of monthly repayments you can afford, while determining how much your chosen lender(s) will be willing to offer. This needs to be taken into account in accordance with all additional borrowing costs, along with the 10% minimum deposit you’ll need to provide.If you decide to go ahead, you’ll need to provide your chosen lender with comprehensive evidence of your current financial status and income. Extensive credit checks are also mandatory, which often stand between mortgage applicants and the homes they intend to buy. Arrangement fees, admin fees, valuation fees and so on may also be payable at the time of application.Getting the best possible deal on your mortgage means considering major High Street lenders and independent specialists alike. With UK Property Finance’s whole-of-market comparison service, you’re guaranteed an unbeatable deal.

How do buy to let mortgages work?

A buy-to-let mortgage – aka BTL mortgage – is a specialist homeowner loan for buyers intent on letting the property out to tenants. The basic rules and requirements surrounding buy-to-let are similar to those of conventional mortgages, though with a few key differences to take into account.For example, arrangement fees and overall borrowing costs for buy-to-let tend to be considerably higher. The buy-to-let can also expect elevated rates of interest, along with minimum deposit requirements in the region of 25%. It’s possible to borrow almost any amount, but allowances are usually linked with the amount of rental income the landlord will receive. Typically, the estimated rental income needs to be around 30% higher than the monthly mortgage payment.Obtaining a high-quality, low-cost buy-to-let mortgage with a major High Street lender is becoming increasingly difficult. As a result, experienced landlords have begun turning to specialist lenders and independent service providers. Given the potential costs associated with buy-to-let, comparing the market in its entirety comes highly recommended.Whether you’re interested in your first buy-to-let or planning to extend your current portfolio, we’ll help you find an unbeatable deal from our exclusive network of lenders.

How are mortgages calculated?

Mortgages are calculated by taking the sum of money borrowed (minus the deposit) along with all additional costs and the agreed rate of interest, before dividing the total balance into small repayments over the agreed period. In the case of a variable mortgage, total borrowing costs may vary significantly as the APR increases or decreases throughout the life of the mortgage.In addition, borrowing costs vary significantly in accordance with the specifics of the loan and the applicant. With most major lenders, overall borrowing costs for a 10-year mortgage would be exponentially lower than the same mortgage taken over a 30-year period. In addition, the financial status and credit history of the applicant can affect borrowing costs and interest rates. As can the size of the loan and its intended purpose.Lenders also implement their own unique policies regarding how much the applicant can borrow. For some, it’s a set multiple of their annual salary. For others, it’s calculated on the basis of their current financial status and income. Shopping around is essential for ensuring you find the best mortgage deal to suit your requirements and budget. It’s also important to look beyond the High Street, considering specialist lenders where available.

How many mortgages can you have?

In theory, you can take out as many mortgages as you like. Or at least, as many mortgages as you can afford. These days, it’s impossible to qualify for a mortgage without first having your eligibility verified by the lender. If you aren’t in a position to comfortably repay the loan as agreed, you will not qualify.However, if your financial position, credit history and employment status inspire the lender, they’ll be happy to offer you a mortgage. Any additional mortgages (and general debts) you have will be taken into account, though will be considered in accordance with your financial status and income.Nevertheless, it’s worth remembering that every mortgage you take on amounts to another enormous debt to pay off. If there are alternatives to a mortgage available, they’re worth considering. Bridging loans, development finance, auction finance or perhaps simply paying for the property in cash. All of which could save you a small fortune in borrowing costs, while at the same time simplifying the purchase process.To discuss the alternative options to a traditional mortgage, contact the team at UK Property Finance for an obligation-free consultation.

Who offers guarantor mortgages?

Many of the UK’s major lenders have begun offering guarantor mortgages. Particularly popular among first-time buyers, guarantor mortgages provide a helping hand for those who may otherwise be unable to get on the property ladder. If unable to meet the strict requirements of the lender personally, a third-party can ‘guarantee’ the loan on their behalf. This essentially means that the guarantor takes ultimate responsibility, in the event that the borrower is unable to repay the loan as agreed.As with a traditional mortgage, eligibility for a guarantor mortgage is considered in accordance with credit history, financial status, proof of income and so on. In this instance though, on the part of the guarantor. Some lenders consider all guarantor mortgages to be comparatively high-risk, therefore attach elevated interest rates and borrowing costs for such services.Guarantor mortgages are available from major banks, but it’s nonetheless important to compare the market in its entirety. There are dozens of specialist lenders across the UK who specialise in guarantor mortgages, subprime mortgages and various services you won’t find on the High Street. Contact the team at UK Property Finance and we’ll compare the market on your behalf.