Thinking about moving house?
When you’re moving house, you are not just choosing a new home. You’re also trying to work out what happens to your current mortgage, how much you may be able to borrow, what the move could cost and how to keep everything moving without unnecessary stress.
You may be wondering whether you can port your mortgage, whether you should switch to a new deal, whether you need to borrow more, or whether keeping your current home could still be an option.
That is where moving house mortgage advice can make a real difference. Instead of trying to compare lender criteria, porting rules, rates and paperwork on your own, you can get clear guidance based on your move, your budget and what you are trying to achieve.
Moving Home Mortgages Explained
If you’re thinking about moving home, then a good starting point is to speak to a mortgage broker like us. We will do all the calculations and work out how much you can afford to borrow. We will also take the time to explain all your options.
If you already have a mortgage, you have two main options with regards to moving home:
- Porting your mortgage
This basically means taking your mortgage with you to your new home. This can be a sensible option if you are mid way through a fixed deal and would incur early repayment charges. Or you’re happy with your current rate and want to move this rate to your new home. You will still have to reapply for your mortgage, especially if you are borrowing more money and want to Top Up your mortgage. But the process can be simpler that switching to a new mortgage as the lender will already have information about you.
- Switching to a new mortgage
When you switch to a new mortgage, your existing mortgage is repaid when you complete on the sale of your existing home. You then take out a new mortgage on your new property. This could be a good option for you if there are lower rates available when you’re moving and if you’ve come to the end of you current mortgage term.
We will explain the different options with you. And do the calculations to help you understand which option suits your circumstances. Not all mortgages are portable and some lenders have restrictions in place with regards to suitable properties.
We can search over 90 lenders and thousands of mortgages. We also have access to specialist lenders and mortgage deals which are not available directly.
If you have questions about the mortgage process, you may find our Mortgage Advice FAQs helpful.
Moving house mortgage process (step by step)
Work out your budget (deposit, fees and monthly payment comfort)
Check your options: port your mortgage, remortgage, or a new deal
Get an Agreement in Principle (so you can offer with confidence)
Make an offer and instruct solicitors
Submit the mortgage application (and any additional borrowing)
Valuation and underwriting (lender checks)
Mortgage offer issued
Exchange and complete (moving day)
Get in touch today for Moving Home Mortgage Advice and see how we can make the process easy and stress free for you.
A MORTGAGE IS A LOAN SECURED AGAINST YOUR HOME. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT.
There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The actual amount you pay will depend upon your circumstances. The fee is up to 1% but a typical fee is 0.3% of the amount borrowed.
How a mortgage broker can help when you move house
Help you understand your options early
When you move house, one of the first questions is what happens to your current mortgage. In some cases you may be able to port it. In others, switching to a new mortgage may be the better option.
A broker can help you understand which routes may be available and what the real difference could be in cost, flexibility and monthly payments.
Help you work out what you can afford
You may be moving to a more expensive property, borrowing more, or balancing sale proceeds against the costs of the new purchase.
A broker helps you look at the numbers clearly, including deposit, fees, monthly payments and any extra borrowing, so you can move forward with more confidence.
Help you compare the full picture
The best option is not always the one with the lowest rate. Early repayment charges, lender fees, portability, timescales and how the lender assesses your case can all make a difference.
A broker helps you compare the overall picture, not just one headline number.
Help keep the process manageable
Moving house already involves a lot of moving parts. Estate agents, solicitors, lender documents, valuation checks and deadlines can quickly feel overwhelming.
A broker helps keep the mortgage side organised, explains what is happening and reduces the pressure of trying to manage every stage on your own.
Help if your move is more complex
Some moves are more straightforward than others. You may be relocating for work, planning to keep your current home, borrowing more than expected, or dealing with tighter deadlines.
A broker can help you sense check the right route early, which can save time and reduce costly mistakes later.
Are you moving home but keeping your house?
In some cases, moving house does not mean selling your current property. You may be considering keeping it and renting it out, or you may want more flexibility before making a final decision.
This can open up different mortgage questions around let to buy, extra borrowing and whether the two properties can work together from a lender point of view.
If that is something you are considering, it is worth getting advice early. A broker can help you understand what may be possible, how much equity may be available, and what lenders are likely to look at.
Request a Mortgage Appointment
Costs to think about when moving house
When you are moving house, it is easy to focus on the deposit or the price of the new property. But there may be several other costs to budget for as well.
You may want to think about:
- Lender fees or product fees
- Valuation fees
- Broker fees where applicable
- Conveyancing and legal costs
- Search fees and Land Registry costs
- Stamp duty where relevant
- Survey costs
- Removal costs and storage
- Buildings insurance
- A buffer for unexpected extras
A broker can help you map out the mortgage side of these costs clearly, so the move feels more planned and less stressful.
Porting your mortgage or switching to a new deal
When you move house, you will usually have two main mortgage routes to consider.
The first is porting your existing mortgage. This means moving your current deal to your new property, subject to your lender approving the new home and your circumstances.
The second is switching to a new mortgage. This usually means repaying your current mortgage when you sell and taking out a new deal for the property you are buying.
Neither route is automatically better. The right answer depends on your current deal, whether early repayment charges apply, how much you need to borrow, and which lender options are available to you now.
A broker can help you compare both routes properly before you commit, so you can make a better informed decision rather than guessing your way through it.
Getting a mortgage when relocating (UK)
Relocating for work (or moving to a new area) can add a few extra moving parts to the mortgage process, but it’s very doable with the right preparation and lender choice.
If you’re starting a new job
Some lenders are happy to lend if you:
- Have a signed employment contract, or
- Can provide an offer letter with salary and start date
Other lenders may want you to have started the role or completed a probation period. Criteria varies, so it’s worth checking early if your move is time-sensitive.
If your commute or working pattern is changing
Lenders may consider:
- Your new location and commuting costs
- Whether your role is remote/hybrid
- Any impact on outgoings (travel, childcare, etc.)
Being clear about your new monthly budget can help affordability.
If you’re moving quickly
Relocations can involve tighter deadlines. In these cases, it helps to:
- Get an Agreement in Principle early
- Gather documents upfront (ID, income evidence, bank statements, deposit proof)
- Choose a lender with a process that fits your timescales
Moving house when your circumstances are changing
Some house moves come with wider life changes as well. You may be starting a new job, relocating to a different area, changing your commute, or working with tighter deadlines than usual.
That can affect how lenders view your income, your affordability and the timing of the application.
A broker can help you understand what documents may be needed, which lenders may be more suitable and how to keep the process moving if your move is more time sensitive.
Why choose Your Mortgage Expert
When you are moving house, you do not just want mortgage information. You want clear advice on what to do with your current mortgage, what you may be able to borrow, and how to make the process feel easier to manage.
At Your Mortgage Expert, we focus on helping you understand your options in plain English and guiding you through the mortgage side of your move from start to finish.
Clients often choose us because they want to:
- Understand whether porting or switching may suit them better
- Feel confident that the numbers have been checked properly
- Save time comparing lenders and mortgage options
- Reduce stress during the moving process
- Have support with paperwork, lender questions and next steps
Whether you are upsizing, downsizing, relocating or buying again after a change in circumstances, our aim is the same. To help you move with more clarity, more confidence and less hassle.
Want clear advice for your next move?
If you want help understanding what to do with your current mortgage, how much you may be able to borrow and which route may suit your move best, we would be delighted to help.
This page was last updated in April 2026