Whether you’re a first-time buyer, self-employed, or planning for retirement, we guide you through 15,000+ mortgage deals to find the one that’s right for you.
Answer a few questions to unlock your options
Turn confusion into keys with low-deposit schemes and expert guidance.
Unlock better rates or release equity to fund your next chapter.
Access your home's wealth safely with FCA-regulated retirement advice.
From self-build to bridging loans—we handle complex cases others can't.
We understand the challenges: The average first-time buyer faces 200+ lenders, confusing government schemes, and the stress of saving a deposit while rent keeps rising. Many give up before they start, assuming they can’t afford it.
Here’s how we help: Your dedicated Acorn.mortgage broker cuts through the complexity. We’ll assess your situation, explain every scheme you qualify for (Help to Buy, Shared Ownership, guarantor options), and find lenders who specialise in first-time buyers—even with smaller deposits or less-than-perfect credit.
What makes us different: Unlike high-street banks that only offer their own products, we search the entire market. We’ve helped first-time buyers secure mortgages with deposits under 5%, and we know which lenders are flexible on income multiples for younger buyers.
Common scenarios we solve:
The opportunity: Mortgage rates change constantly. If you’re on your lender’s Standard Variable Rate (SVR), you could be overpaying by hundreds of pounds every month. Similarly, when moving home, the mortgage you choose can make or break your budget.
Two ways we help:
Remortgaging — Your existing lender won’t tell you when better deals become available. We monitor the market for you and recommend the optimal time to switch, whether that’s to:
Moving Home — We arrange your new mortgage in parallel with your house sale, ensuring:
Switching from a 5.5% SVR to a 4.2% fixed rate on a £250,000 mortgage saves you over £270 per month—that’s £3,240 per year or £16,200 over a typical 5-year fix.
What is equity release? Equity release allows you to access a portion of your home’s value as a tax-free lump sum or regular income—without having to move. You retain ownership and the right to live there for life. It’s particularly valuable for supplementing retirement income, funding home improvements, helping family, or simply enjoying your retirement.
Why specialist advice matters: Equity release is a significant financial decision with long-term implications for your estate. That’s why it’s heavily regulated by the FCA, and why you need advice from qualified specialists—not generalists.
Our approach: Your Acorn equity release adviser will:
Key protections we prioritize:
When “different” becomes difficult: High-street banks work from tick-box checklists. If your employment, income, or property doesn’t fit their narrow criteria, they simply say no. That’s where we come in.
Specialist mortgages we arrange:
Self-Build Mortgages — Building your own home is exciting, but arranging staged funding releases as construction progresses requires specialist knowledge. We work with lenders who understand self-build projects, whether you’re using architects, package companies, or managing trades yourself.
Bridging Loans — When timing is critical (auction purchases, chain breaks, or quick property purchases), bridging finance provides fast access to funds. We arrange residential bridging from 1 month to 2 years, with exits to standard mortgages pre-agreed.
Contractor & Freelance Mortgages — Day-rate contractors, freelancers, and those with multiple income streams often struggle with traditional lenders. We know which lenders assess contract income fairly and which accept just one year’s accounts.
Second Charge Mortgages — Need to raise capital without disturbing a great existing mortgage rate? A second charge sits behind your first mortgage, letting you release equity for renovations, debt consolidation, or large purchases while keeping your primary mortgage unchanged.
Guarantor Mortgages — Parents or family willing to help? Guarantor mortgages let you borrow more or with a smaller deposit, backed by a guarantor’s property or savings. We structure these carefully to protect everyone involved.
Let to Buy & Buy to Let — Whether you’re keeping your current home as a rental when you move, or building a property portfolio, we arrange both residential Let to Buy and investment Buy to Let mortgages with specialist landlord lenders.
These products aren’t available on comparison sites. They require relationships with niche lenders, understanding of underwriting criteria, and experience packaging applications to maximise approval chances.
What are mortgage interest rates going to do next? Which mortgage lender offers the best deal for you? How do you choose the best mortgage deal from over 200 mortgage lenders in the UK market offering more than 15,000 different deals!
We understand that navigating the world of home ownership and mortgages can be daunting.
That’s why your Acorn.mortgage broker will provide expert guidance and tailored solutions so that you can make an informed decision.
Our experts will review your details after a call or enquiry. Within a few hours we’ll be able to give you guidance as to what is possible, we’ll back that up within 48 hours with a Decision in Principle from our lending panel of over 200 lenders.
Banks all have their own rigid lending criteria, you could be declined around your income, credit or the type of property you are mortgaging. We have whole of market lender access so that we can help in more difficult situations. This is where our expertise comes in, finding the reasons for a lender to say YES!
No!
We don’t all have perfect credit histories these days and there are lenders out there to fit all circumstances.
All we ask is that you check the details out first and make sure your advisor knows all the details.
Going to the wrong lenders wastes your time but can also make it harder to get approval from the right lenders down the line, it’s always better to go to the right lenders first!
Applying for a mortgage requires several key documents to verify your financial status and eligibility. These typically include:
The amount you can borrow depends on several factors:
There are several types of mortgages available, including:
Your credit score plays a crucial role in your mortgage application:
There are several steps you can take to improve your mortgage approval chances:
In the UK, you can obtain a free credit report from several services. Here’s how you can access your credit report for free from the major credit reference agencies:
Experian offers a free credit report and score through their service:
Equifax provides free access to your credit report through the ClearScore platform:
TransUnion offers free credit reports through Credit Karma and their own service:
By law, you are entitled to a free statutory credit report once a year from each of the major credit reference agencies. You can request this directly from the agencies: