Guides
Bad credit mortgages in Cardiff: realistic expectations
How CCJs, defaults and debt management plans generally affect a Cardiff mortgage application — how recency and severity matter, and realistic expectations.
Buy-to-let and HMO mortgages in Cathays and Roath, Cardiff
Student lets and HMOs in Cathays and Roath — Cardiff's HMO licensing rules, the Article 4 direction, Rent Smart Wales, and how BTL rental-coverage tests work.
Mortgages on Cardiff Bay leasehold flats: what lenders look for
Mortgages on Cardiff Bay leasehold flats — service charges, ground rent, lease length, cladding/EWS1 checks and the Welsh Building Safety Fund explained.
How to choose a mortgage adviser in Cardiff
How to choose a mortgage adviser in Cardiff: qualifications to check, FCA authorisation, whole-of-market vs panel, fee models, and questions to ask first.
LTT on second homes and buy-to-let in Cardiff: the higher rates explained
Land Transaction Tax's higher rates for second homes and buy-to-let in Cardiff — current bands, worked examples, and when the surcharge does and doesn't apply.
Mortgages for NHS and public sector workers in Cardiff
How lenders treat NHS Wales pay bands, overtime and shift pay for Cardiff's NHS and public sector workforce — no special scheme, just how income is assessed.
Remortgaging in Cardiff: when to do it and what actually happens
When to remortgage in Cardiff, product transfer vs a full remortgage, what happens as your fix ends, exit fees to check, and realistic timelines to plan around.
Self-employed mortgages in Cardiff: sole traders, directors and contractors
How mortgage lenders read accounts and SA302s for self-employed Cardiff buyers — sole traders, limited company directors and contractors — and what to prepare.
Buying a new-build in Cardiff: developments, incentives and lender rules
A Cardiff buyer's guide to new-build purchases — the city's major developments, how builder incentives work, and where to find the lender-by-lender detail.
First-time buyer in Cardiff: the step-by-step walkthrough
A guide for Cardiff first-time buyers — deposit sizes at real local prices, how the Welsh buying process differs from England, and schemes that can help.
Land Transaction Tax vs stamp duty: what Wales charges instead
Wales charges Land Transaction Tax (LTT), not stamp duty (SDLT) — with no first-time buyer relief. Rates, worked examples and how the two taxes really compare.
Low-deposit routes in Wales: 95% mortgages, shared ownership and Welsh schemes
The main low-deposit routes into a Welsh home in 2026 — 95% mortgages, gifted deposits, and the status of Help to Buy, Homebuy and Shared Ownership Wales.
Moving to Cardiff: areas, prices and commutes for buyers
A buyer's guide to Cardiff's areas and the South Wales commuter belt — local prices, commute times, and the schools, flood and leasehold checks to do first.
What salary do you need to buy a house in Cardiff?
How much income you need to buy in Cardiff, by property type — verified average prices, deposit scenarios, and the income multiple lenders typically apply.