Affordability Before Anything Else

Before comparing rates or products, it's worth knowing roughly what a lender would actually offer you — the Mortgage Affordability Calculator uses standard income multiple and stress-testing approaches similar to what lenders apply, so you're shopping with a realistic figure rather than an aspirational one.

Stamp Duty is easy to underestimate, particularly for a second property or a purchase above £500,000 where the rate structure changes noticeably — the Stamp Duty Calculator breaks down exactly which portion of the price falls into which band, rather than just handing over a single total figure with no explanation of how it was reached.

If your current fixed rate is ending soon, the Ditch Your Fix and Refinance calculators are worth checking well before the renewal date — early repayment charges and the gap between your current rate and today's market rate both matter, and running the numbers before your existing deal expires avoids defaulting onto a lender's standard variable rate by accident.