Michael Ridings - Mortgage Adviser

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Michael Ridings - Mortgage Adviser Whole of Market Mortgage Adviser with 18 years industry experience across all fields of mortgages

📉 THE LOWEST MORTGAGE RATE ISN'T ALWAYS THE CHEAPEST! 🏡When comparing mortgages, it's tempting to choose the one with th...
14/10/2026

📉 THE LOWEST MORTGAGE RATE ISN'T ALWAYS THE CHEAPEST! 🏡

When comparing mortgages, it's tempting to choose the one with the lowest interest rate.

But what about the fees? 💷

Here's an example that might surprise you!

We compared two hypothetical mortgages of £150,000 over 25 years, both fixed for two years.

🏠 Mortgage A:
✅ 3.75% interest rate
❌ £1,999 product fee

🏠 Mortgage B:
✅ 4.00% interest rate
✅ No product fee

Despite having a HIGHER interest rate, Mortgage B works out approximately **£1,257 cheaper over the two-year period** when comparing interest and product fees!

That's because the lower rate doesn't always make up for the additional fees.

And there's more to consider...

📅 Two-year or five-year fixed deal?

💷 Early repayment charges?

🏡 Can you move home and take your mortgage product with you?

💚 Are overpayments allowed?

At Ellis-Ridings Mortgage Solutions, we compare more than just the headline interest rate.

We look at the overall costs, features and your individual circumstances to help you find a suitable mortgage.

📖 We've explained everything in our latest blog — link in the comments!

💬 Did you realise a mortgage with a higher rate could actually work out cheaper?

*Example based on a £150,000 repayment mortgage over 25 years, comparing two hypothetical two-year fixed deals. Assumes the product fee is paid upfront. Figures are illustrative and exclude other fees and incentives.*

*Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.*

🏡 Been declined for a mortgage? One lender saying NO doesn't necessarily mean they all will!It's something I hear quite ...
12/10/2026

🏡 Been declined for a mortgage? One lender saying NO doesn't necessarily mean they all will!

It's something I hear quite regularly...

"My bank said I can't get a mortgage."

But here's something worth knowing. 👇

Different mortgage lenders have different lending criteria.

💷 Some assess income differently.

💼 Some are more flexible with self-employed applicants.

💳 Others may take a different approach to previous credit issues.

🏠 And affordability calculations can vary considerably between lenders.

That's one of the benefits of speaking to a whole-of-market mortgage broker rather than relying on one bank.

I've worked in financial services since 2008, and one thing I've learnt is that understanding the full picture makes a real difference.

Of course, not every mortgage application will be possible, and there's never a guarantee of approval.

But being told no by one lender doesn't automatically mean the conversation is over.

📩 If you've previously been declined for a mortgage, or you're worried about applying, feel free to drop me a message.

💬 Did you know different mortgage lenders can assess the same application differently?

*Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.*

🏡 SELF-EMPLOYED? THINK YOU'LL STRUGGLE TO GET A MORTGAGE? 👀You might be surprised by what's possible!One of the biggest ...
12/10/2026

🏡 SELF-EMPLOYED? THINK YOU'LL STRUGGLE TO GET A MORTGAGE? 👀

You might be surprised by what's possible!

One of the biggest myths we hear is that you need three years of accounts before you can get a mortgage.

💡 Did you know some lenders may consider just ONE year's accounts?

Whether you're a:

🔹 Sole trader

🔹 Limited company director

🔹 Contractor

🔹 Freelancer

There could be more mortgage options available than you realise!

We've just published a new blog explaining:

✅ How lenders assess self-employed income

✅ Why different lenders calculate income differently

✅ Whether one year's accounts could be enough

✅ How company profits may be considered

📖 Want to know more?

👇 Read our latest blog — link in the comments!

💙💚 Ellis-Ridings Mortgage Solutions — Making Your Mortgage Happen!

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

🏡 Buying your first home? Speak to a mortgage broker before you start viewing!One of the most common things I hear from ...
09/10/2026

🏡 Buying your first home? Speak to a mortgage broker before you start viewing!

One of the most common things I hear from first-time buyers is...

"I'll sort the mortgage once I've found a house!"

But getting mortgage advice BEFORE you start looking could save you a lot of time and disappointment.

💷 Understand how much you could potentially borrow.

🏠 Find out how much deposit you might need.

💳 Check whether your credit history could affect your options.

✅ Look at getting an Agreement in Principle before you start viewing properties.

The last thing you want is to find your dream home and then discover the mortgage doesn't quite work!

I've been working in financial services since 2008, and I help people across Devon and the rest of the UK understand their mortgage options.

Whether you're buying your first home or just starting to think about it, I'm always happy to have a chat.

💬 First-time buyers — what's the one thing you find most confusing about getting a mortgage?

*Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.*

🏡 Could your credit score be standing between you and your dream home? 👀When it comes to getting a mortgage, your credit...
08/10/2026

🏡 Could your credit score be standing between you and your dream home? 👀

When it comes to getting a mortgage, your credit history can make a big difference — but did you know you don't need a perfect credit score to get a mortgage? ✅

💳 Missed a payment in the past?

📉 Worried your credit score is too low?

🏠 Thinking about buying your first home or moving?

❌ Previously been declined for a mortgage?

Don't assume your credit history means you can't get a mortgage!

We've just published a brand-new blog explaining:

✅ What mortgage lenders actually look for

✅ Why your credit score isn't the whole story

✅ How to check your credit report before applying

✅ Simple steps to improve your credit profile

✅ Why different lenders can make different decisions

💡 **A little preparation now could make a big difference when it's time to apply.**

📖 **Want to know more?**

👇 **Read our latest blog — link in the comments!**

And remember, if you're concerned about your credit history, we're always happy to have a conversation about your mortgage options.

💙💚 Ellis-Ridings Mortgage Solutions — Making Your Mortgage Happen!

*Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.*

🔥 Surely we can squeeze one last BBQ in before winter takes over?It’s nearly October, the evenings are getting darker, t...
29/09/2026

🔥 Surely we can squeeze one last BBQ in before winter takes over?

It’s nearly October, the evenings are getting darker, the jumpers are starting to come back out… but I’m not quite ready to admit BBQ season is finished yet. 😂

So one last attempt to make the most of it before we swap burgers on the BBQ for Sunday roasts and start debating when it’s acceptable to put the heating on!

I’m fully aware there’s a good chance I’ll be stood outside cooking in a coat… but that’s part of the British BBQ experience, isn’t it? 😂🌭🍔

Sometimes it’s good to switch off from mortgages, emails and the laptop for a few hours too!

Anyone else still refusing to pack the BBQ away? 🔥

🏡 Small deposits are opening more doors than they were a year ago…Some really encouraging figures have been published to...
28/09/2026

🏡 Small deposits are opening more doors than they were a year ago…
Some really encouraging figures have been published today for buyers who don't have a huge deposit.

New mortgage lending where buyers put down less than 10% has risen by 38% over the past year — from £17.9bn to £24.7bn.

And there's an even more interesting figure for those with the smallest deposits.
Mortgage lending where the borrower had less than a 5% deposit has more than doubled, increasing from £720m to £1.5bn.

Why is that good news?
Because one of the biggest misconceptions I still hear from first-time buyers is:
“I haven't got a big enough deposit to buy yet.”
That may not necessarily be the case.

We've seen lenders developing more options at 95%, 98% and even 100% LTV, meaning the mortgage market is finding more ways to help people where saving a large deposit is the thing holding them back.

It won't mean every option is suitable for everybody — affordability, credit history and individual lender criteria still matter — but the direction of travel for low-deposit mortgages is really encouraging. 🏡🔑

Before deciding you're years away from buying, it can be worth finding out what's actually possible.

⚠️ Mortgage lending is subject to individual circumstances, affordability and lender criteria. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.



Source to verify: Mortgage Soup – Low-deposit mortgage lending climbs 38% to £24.7bn
Published: 28 September 2026. The analysis is based on FCA Mortgage Lending Statistics for the year to 30 June 2026.

😳 “I’ll Wait Until Mortgage Rates Drop…”You could.But here's the question:What if the right home comes along before they...
25/09/2026

😳 “I’ll Wait Until Mortgage Rates Drop…”

You could.

But here's the question:

What if the right home comes along before they do? 🏡

Trying to perfectly time the mortgage market can mean spending months sitting on the sidelines.

Meanwhile…

Your circumstances could change.
House prices could move.
The property you love could sell.
And mortgage products can change in either direction.

Instead of waiting for the “perfect” moment, there’s another approach:

Find out what works for you today.

💷 Understand your budget
🏡 Work out comfortable monthly payments
🔎 Explore the mortgage options currently available
📋 Get yourself prepared
🔑 Then decide whether you're ready to move

And if you're not?

That's absolutely fine — at least you're making that decision based on your actual numbers, rather than trying to predict what the mortgage market might do next.

Because the best time to buy isn't necessarily when somebody on the internet says rates are perfect…

It's when the property, mortgage and monthly payment work for YOU.

📩 Waiting for the “right time”? Let's find out what your options look like right now.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

🏦 “My Bank Offered Me A Mortgage… So Why Would I Speak To A Broker?”Fair question. 👀Your bank knows its own mortgage pro...
23/09/2026

🏦 “My Bank Offered Me A Mortgage… So Why Would I Speak To A Broker?”

Fair question. 👀

Your bank knows its own mortgage products.

But that doesn't necessarily tell you what might be available elsewhere.

Different lenders can have different:

💷 Affordability calculations
📈 Income multiples
🏡 Deposit requirements
💼 Ways of assessing income
📋 Lending criteria
💰 Mortgage products and fees

So the lender you've banked with for 15 years might be a great option.

But another lender could potentially suit your circumstances better.

And here's the important bit…

If your own bank is the right option, we're perfectly happy to tell you that too. 👍

Being a whole-of-market mortgage broker isn't about finding an excuse to move you somewhere else.

It's about comparing the options and finding the solution that works for you.

Your bank gets to show you their answer.

We get to look for your answer. 🏡🔑

📩 Before deciding where your mortgage should go, let's see what's available across the market.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Address

99B Dartmouth Road
Paignton
TQ46NF

Telephone

+447824860117

Website

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