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Appletree first time buyer advice
Latest Newsmortgage

How can the Bank of Family support first time buyers?

Getting onto the property ladder has never been easy, and with rising house prices and the cost of living continuing to squeeze savings, many first-time buyers are turning to family for a helping hand. According to recent research, gifts and loans from the so-called “Bank of Mum and Dad” totalled around £9.4 billion in 2023. If it were a real bank, it would be one of the largest in the UK! But these days, it’s more accurate to call it the Bank of Family, as support now often comes from parents, grandparents, and even siblings. At Appletree, we see many…
David Gallagher
November 17, 2025
appletree mortgage advice blackpool
Latest Newsmortgage

Your Mortgage Deal is Ending

Thousands of homeowners are approaching the end of their fixed-rate mortgage deals. After a period of rising interest rates and higher monthly costs, there are signs the mortgage market is beginning to settle. For some, that could mean monthly payments may actually go down when they move onto a new deal. Whether your payments rise or fall, this is a crucial time to review your options. Understanding what happens when a mortgage deal ends, and the routes available, can help you plan with clarity. What happens when your deal ends When a fixed-rate deal finishes, most mortgages automatically move onto…
David Gallagher
November 10, 2025
Appletree Mortgage Advice Blackpool
Latest Newsmortgage

The True Cost of Buying a Home

the Deposit When people think about buying a home, the focus is usually on saving for the deposit. But while the deposit is the biggest upfront cost, it is far from the only one. If you are preparing to buy your first property, it is important to understand all the costs involved so you are not caught out by unexpected expenses. Why It Matters Buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments you will ever make. Budgeting for the deposit is essential, but if you do not also plan for the extra costs, you could face delays, added…
David Gallagher
November 3, 2025
financial advice blackpool
Latest Newsmortgage

When Life Doesn’t Go to Plan

Most of us picture the future in straight lines: steady work, a safe home, savings that grow, and plans we can rely on. But life rarely follows that path. A job loss, a health diagnosis, a bereavement, or unexpected family changes can arrive without warning. When events like these happen, finances often feel harder to manage. Payments that once felt manageable can suddenly seem daunting. Decisions that were routine may now feel complicated, urgent, or overwhelming. In times like this, financial advice can provide clarity, reassurance, and a structured way forward.There is a common belief that financial advice is only…
David Gallagher
October 27, 2025
Appletree Finance mortgage advice
Latest Newsmortgage

Remortgaging

According to the Bank of England, 3.6 million mortgages are set to be renegotiated over the next three years, around 41% of all outstanding home loans. If you are one of them, it’s natural to have questions about what happens next. Remortgaging can feel daunting, particularly if your last deal was fixed two or five years ago. The market has shifted considerably, rates have changed, and the process itself can be confusing. To help you prepare, here are answers to some of the most common remortgage questions. What is a remortgage? Remortgaging is when you switch to a new mortgage…
David Gallagher
October 20, 2025
savings or investments
Latest Newswealth management

Investing vs Saving

“Saving” and “investing” often get used as if they mean the same thing. They do not. Each serves a different purpose, carries different levels of risk, and suits different timeframes. Understanding where each fits can help you organise your money with more confidence and less stress. What saving means Saving usually refers to keeping money in cash accounts such as easy access savings, notice accounts or Cash ISAs. Key characteristics: Capital security. The amount you put in does not fluctuate in value within the account. Liquidity. You can usually get to your money quickly, especially with easy access accounts. Modest…
David Gallagher
October 13, 2025
Appletree Financial Planning
Latest Newswealth management

Financial Planning

Financial needs do not stand still. They evolve as careers build, families grow, homes are bought and retirement comes into view. While everyone’s circumstances are unique, there are common points where structured planning helps you make measured decisions and avoid unnecessary pressure. Starting out: building a base Early working life is about establishing control. Budgeting and bills. A simple plan for income and outgoings helps prevent costly slip-ups. Emergency savings. Even a modest cash buffer can reduce reliance on credit when the boiler fails or the car needs work. Workplace pension. Joining the scheme means contributions and any employer payments…
David Gallagher
October 6, 2025
Appletree financial blackpool
Latest Newswealth management

Money Terms We Pretend to Understand

Money has a language of its own, and sometimes it feels like everyone else is fluent. To keep things simple, here’s a quick guide to some of the most common terms you’ll see and what they actually mean. APR - You’ll spot this on credit card adverts. It stands for Annual Percentage Rate, which is the yearly cost of borrowing money, including fees and interest.   ISA - This stands for Individual Savings Account. The big selling point is that the interest or investment growth is tax free. There are different types such as cash ISAs, stocks and shares ISAs,…
David Gallagher
September 29, 2025
mortgage advice blackpool
Latest Newsmortgage

What Are the Pros and Cons of 100% Mortgages?

A 100% mortgage is a home loan that allows you to buy a property without putting down any deposit. Before the 2008 financial crisis, deposit-free mortgages were widely available, with some lenders even letting borrowers take out more than the property’s value to cover living costs. After the crash, these products disappeared from the market. In 2023, as first-time buyers continued to struggle with high rents and rising living costs, some lenders began to reintroduce 100% mortgages. For example, if you wanted to buy a property worth £325,000, you could borrow the full £325,000. Any lender offering such a product…
David Gallagher
September 22, 2025
financial scam
Latest News

How to Recover from a Financial Scam

Falling victim to a scam can feel overwhelming, but knowing what to do next is crucial. Acting quickly and following the right steps gives you the best chance of recovering stolen funds and protecting yourself in the future. Time is crucial when dealing with financial scams. Take immediate action if you think you’ve been scammed to minimise further damage. If you’ve shared personal information, contact your bank or building society right away to report the fraud and freeze your accounts. If scammers have posed as someone you trust, such as a family member or adviser, let them know in case…
David Gallagher
September 15, 2025