HOME MOVER MORTGAGE ADVICE
Home Mover Mortgages: The Right Deal for Your Next Move
Moving home means more than finding a rate. We work out whether to port your mortgage or start fresh, how much extra you can borrow, and what it all costs, then keep the mortgage side moving so the chain does not stall.
Initial consultation free · CeMAP-qualified advice · UK-wide · Read our reviews on Trustpilot ↗
Based in Derby, we advise home movers across the UK by phone and video.
Most movers are tied to a deal. That changes the maths.
If you are partway through a fixed rate, leaving it early can mean an early repayment charge of thousands of pounds. Porting can avoid that, but the extra you borrow comes on today's rates and your lender has to approve the new property and your income again. We put both routes side by side so you can see the real cost before you commit. Our home mover mortgage guide covers every step.
Talk through your mortgage options
Tell us about your plans and circumstances. Your initial consultation is free.
Port your mortgage or get a new one?
| Port your current deal | New mortgage | |
|---|---|---|
| Early repayment charge | Usually avoided, or refunded on completion | Payable if you are still in the charge period |
| Extra borrowing | Separate product at today's rates, from your lender only | One new deal, with lenders across the market |
| Checks | Income, credit and the new property reassessed | Full application |
| Flexibility | Limited to your lender's criteria and products | Choose the lender that suits you now |
Neither is always cheaper. We compare the total cost of both over the same period. See our early repayment charge guide.
Moves we often help with
Also see our guides to Stamp Duty and having more than one mortgage, or try the Stamp Duty calculator.
Selling in Derby or Nottingham?
Our sister company, Option Estates, sells homes across Derby, Derbyshire and Nottingham. Its instant valuation shows what homes like yours have sold for nearby, from Land Registry records, so you can plan your deposit before you list. You are free to use any estate agent.
How it works
- Free review. Your current deal, balance, early repayment charge, income and the price range you are looking at.
- Agreement in principle. So agents and sellers take your offer seriously.
- Port or new deal. We compare both on total cost and recommend one.
- Application and offer. We handle the application, valuation and underwriter questions, and keep your solicitor updated.
- Exchange and completion. We make sure the offer is in date and the money is ready on completion day.
Illustrative example: upsizing with equity
You sell for £300,000 with £150,000 left on your mortgage, leaving about £150,000 of equity before costs. You buy for £450,000. After about £12,500 Stamp Duty and £5,000 of other moving costs, around £132,500 goes in as the deposit, so you need a mortgage of about £317,500, roughly 71% of the price. This is an illustration, not a quote.
Our mortgage broker fee
Your initial consultation is free. If you proceed, our broker fee for a straightforward case is £499 in total: £299 on mortgage application and £200 when your mortgage offer is issued. The £299 application payment is refundable if your mortgage is declined, subject to the terms of your written fee agreement. The fee is £999 where income is complex or there are some credit problems, and £1,499 for heavy adverse credit such as a bankruptcy, as far more work is involved. These are paid the same way: part on application, refundable if the mortgage is declined, and the rest when the mortgage offer is issued. We confirm your fee and terms before you proceed. Lender and third-party fees may be additional.
Moving Home FAQs
Can I take my mortgage with me when I move?
Many mortgages are portable, but porting is not automatic. Your lender reassesses your income, credit and the new property. If you need to borrow more, the extra is usually on a separate rate.
Should I port or get a new mortgage?
It depends on your early repayment charge, your current rate and what new lenders offer. We compare the total cost of both routes over the same period before you decide.
When should I speak to a broker?
Before you put your home on the market. An agreement in principle shows sellers and agents you are ready, and it tells you what you can afford.
How much Stamp Duty will I pay when I move?
If you sell your current home on or before the day you buy, you pay standard rates. In England that is 0% to £125,000, 2% to £250,000 and 5% to £925,000. If you still own your old home when you complete, the 5% surcharge applies, with a refund if you sell within 3 years.
Can I buy before I sell?
Sometimes. Options include a bridging loan, a let-to-buy arrangement or borrowing enough to carry two mortgages for a while. Each has costs and risks we explain before you commit.
How long does a mortgage take when moving home?
Often 2 to 6 weeks from application to offer, but the whole move usually takes several months because of the chain and legal work.
Can I move home if I am self-employed or have bad credit?
Yes. Your existing lender may port your deal with fewer checks than a new lender, and specialist lenders consider self-employed income and past credit problems.
Is the first consultation free?
Yes. If you proceed, our broker fee for a straightforward case is £499: £299 on application and £200 when a mortgage offer is issued. The £299 is refundable if the mortgage is declined, subject to the written fee agreement. The fee is £999 where income is complex or there are some credit problems, and £1,499 for heavy adverse credit such as a bankruptcy, as far more work is involved. These are paid the same way: part on application, refundable if the mortgage is declined, and the rest when the mortgage offer is issued. We confirm your fee before you proceed.
Ready to plan your move?
Tell us about your current mortgage and the home you are looking for. Your initial consultation is free.
Content written and reviewed by Davi Thakar. Last reviewed 16 October 2026. Stamp Duty figures are for England and Northern Ireland. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. This information is not a personal recommendation.