Looking for mortgage advice in Fife? Empire Mortgages provides friendly, professional and personalised mortgage advice to first-time buyers, home movers, homeowners and landlords throughout Fife.
Based in Dunfermline, our experienced advisers combine local knowledge with whole-of-market access to help you understand your borrowing options, compare suitable lenders and navigate the mortgage process with confidence. With more than 60 years of combined mortgage experience, we support clients from their first affordability conversation through to mortgage application and completion. Whether you are buying your first home, moving property, remortgaging or investing in a rental property, we are here to make the process clearer and easier to understand.
Finding the right mortgage involves more than simply choosing the lowest advertised interest rate. Your income, deposit, regular expenditure, existing credit commitments, property choice and future plans can all influence which lenders and mortgage products may be suitable.
At Empire Mortgages, we begin by understanding your circumstances and what you want to achieve. We can help you assess potential borrowing, understand the deposit you may need and compare mortgage options from a wide range of lenders. Where appropriate, we can also help arrange a mortgage in principle before you begin making offers on properties.
Once you are ready to proceed, we can prepare and submit the full mortgage application, deal with lender queries and keep you informed as the application progresses.
Mortgage lenders do not all assess applicants in the same way.
One lender may take a different approach to overtime, bonuses, self-employed income, multiple income streams, previous credit problems or employment history than another. Mortgage rates, fees, deposit requirements and affordability calculations can also vary.
This means the mortgage that appears most attractive initially may not always be the most suitable option for your circumstances.
At Empire Mortgages, our whole-of-market approach allows us to research a broad range of lenders and mortgage products before making a recommendation. We will explain the options clearly, including the mortgage rate, fees, term and any relevant conditions, so you can make an informed decision. Our advisers can also manage the mortgage application on your behalf, helping to keep the process moving from initial enquiry through to completion.
Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but understanding deposits, affordability and the mortgage process can feel overwhelming when you have never done it before. One of the first steps is establishing how much you may be able to borrow and what deposit you will need. Mortgage affordability is based on more than your salary alone. Lenders can also consider regular expenditure, outstanding debts, credit commitments and the overall sustainability of the proposed mortgage.
Buying property in Scotland also involves its own legal and tax considerations, including Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) where applicable. Our dedicated first-time buyer mortgages service provides further guidance on deposits, affordability and buying your first property.
Moving home can involve several mortgage decisions, particularly if you already have a mortgage on your existing property.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to move your existing mortgage to the new property, known as porting, or it may be more appropriate to arrange a new mortgage.
Your current deal, any early repayment charges, the amount you need to borrow and changes in your income or financial commitments can all affect the options available.
Empire Mortgages can review your existing mortgage alongside your new property plans and help you compare suitable options.
Our home mover mortgages service provides more information for homeowners preparing for their next move.
Your mortgage should be reviewed periodically to make sure it continues to suit your circumstances. Many homeowners begin looking at their options when a fixed or introductory mortgage deal is approaching its end. Without taking action, you may move onto your lender’s standard variable rate.
You may also consider remortgaging because your financial circumstances have changed, you want to adjust your mortgage term or you are considering additional borrowing. Moving mortgage can involve fees and early repayment charges, so it is important to compare the overall cost rather than focusing solely on the headline interest rate. Empire Mortgages can review your existing mortgage and help you compare suitable remortgage options based on your circumstances.
Whether you are purchasing your first rental property or expanding an existing portfolio, buy to let mortgages work differently from standard residential mortgages. Lenders will commonly consider the rental income the property is expected to generate when assessing the borrowing. Your deposit, personal income, credit history, existing properties and landlord experience may also affect the options available.
Some property investors may choose to purchase through a limited company, which can involve different lender criteria and mortgage products. Empire Mortgages can help first-time landlords and experienced property investors understand their borrowing options and compare suitable buy to let mortgages.
Being self-employed does not automatically prevent you from getting a mortgage, but your income may be assessed differently. Sole traders, limited company directors, freelancers and contractors can all have different income structures, and lenders do not necessarily assess them in the same way. Depending on how you operate, a lender may consider accounts, tax calculations, salary, dividends or other business income.
The length of your trading history and how your earnings have changed over time may also be relevant. Empire Mortgages can review how your income is structured and identify lenders whose criteria may be appropriate for your circumstances.
Our self-employed mortgages and contractor mortgages services provide further guidance for applicants whose income does not fit a straightforward PAYE structure.
Not every mortgage application fits neatly into standard lender criteria.
You may receive income from several jobs, work on a zero-hours contract, have a smaller deposit or have previous credit problems. You may also be an older borrower or receive part of your deposit from family. Different lenders can take very different approaches to these circumstances. Empire Mortgages has experience helping clients with a wide range of specialist situations, including multiple income stream mortgages, zero hours contract mortgages, adverse credit mortgages and gifted deposit mortgages.
The key is understanding your circumstances before deciding which lender may be most appropriate.
There is no single borrowing figure that applies to everyone.
The amount you may be able to borrow depends on your income, regular spending, outstanding debts, credit commitments, deposit, mortgage term and the lender’s own affordability assessment.
Two lenders can assess the same applicant differently, particularly where income includes overtime, bonuses, commission, self-employed earnings or several income sources.
Empire Mortgages can complete an initial affordability assessment and help you understand the level of borrowing that may be realistic before you begin seriously looking for a property.
You can also use our mortgage affordability calculator for an initial indication, although any calculator result should not be treated as a mortgage offer or guarantee of lending.
1. Initial Consultation – We begin by discussing your property plans, income, deposit and wider financial circumstances.
2. Affordability Assessment – We assess potential borrowing and help you establish a realistic budget.
3. Compare Suitable Lenders – Our advisers research appropriate lenders and mortgage products based on your circumstances.
4. Mortgage in Principle – Where appropriate, we can help arrange a mortgage in principle before you begin making offers on properties.
5. Full Mortgage Application – Once you are ready to proceed, we prepare and submit the full application and supporting documents.
6. Support Through to Completion – We remain available as the application progresses, dealing with lender queries and helping you understand what happens next.
At Empire Mortgages, we believe mortgage advice should be personal, straightforward and focused on what is right for you. With more than 60 years of combined industry experience, our advisers have helped clients across Fife with everything from first-time purchases and home moves to remortgages, buy to let and more specialist mortgage circumstances. Our whole-of-market access allows us to consider a broad range of lenders rather than limiting your search to one bank or building society. We will take the time to understand your circumstances, explain your options clearly and support you throughout the mortgage process. Whether you prefer to meet in person, speak over the phone or arrange a video appointment, our team is here to help.
Empire Mortgages is based in Dunfermline and provides mortgage advice to clients throughout Fife. We support homebuyers, homeowners and landlords across Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes, Rosyth, Inverkeithing, Dalgety Bay, Cowdenbeath, Cupar, St Andrews, Leven and surrounding communities. Our advisers understand that every client’s circumstances are different, which is why our advice is based on your individual income, deposit, property plans and wider financial position. Appointments are available in person, by telephone or through video call, making professional mortgage advice easily accessible throughout Fife.
Whether you are buying your first home, moving property, remortgaging or investing in a rental property, Empire Mortgages is here to provide clear and personalised mortgage advice in Fife.
Based in Dunfermline and supporting clients throughout Fife, our experienced advisers will take the time to understand your circumstances, explain your mortgage options and guide you through the application process.
Book your mortgage consultation with Empire Mortgages today.
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Yes. Empire Mortgages is based in Dunfermline and provides mortgage advice to clients throughout Fife, including Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes, Rosyth, Cupar, St Andrews, Leven and surrounding areas.
The amount you may be able to borrow depends on your income, expenditure, existing credit commitments, deposit, mortgage term and the lender’s affordability criteria. Different lenders can produce different results for the same applicant.
The deposit required will depend on your circumstances and the mortgage products available. A larger deposit reduces the loan-to-value and may provide access to a broader range of mortgage options.
Yes. We can help first-time buyers understand affordability, deposits, mortgage in principle options and the mortgage application process.
Yes. Empire Mortgages can help sole traders, limited company directors, contractors and freelancers understand how lenders may assess their income and explore suitable mortgage options.
Potentially. Previous credit problems do not automatically prevent you from getting a mortgage. Available options will depend on the type and age of the credit issue, your deposit, affordability and lender criteria.
Yes. We can review your current mortgage, discuss why you are considering remortgaging and compare suitable mortgage options based on your circumstances.
Yes. Empire Mortgages can help both new and experienced landlords explore buy to let mortgage options, including personal and limited company borrowing where appropriate.
Refer a Friend Scheme
Recommend a friend who is new to Empire Mortgages and if they then take out their mortgage with us, you’ll each receive £50 worth of vouchers.
The guidance provided within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime and is therefore primarily targeted at consumers based in the UK.
Empire Mortgages Ltd is an Appointed Representative of PRIMIS Mortgage Network, a trading name of TenetLime Ltd. TenetLime Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Tenet Lime Ltd is entered on the Financial Services Register (www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 150643.
Empire Mortgages Ltd may charge a fee for mortgage advice. The amount of the fee will depend on your circumstances and will be discussed and agreed with you at the earliest opportunity. Our typical fee is £295 payable on receipt of a full mortgage offer.
Registered in Scotland under reference SC545434
Registered office address: Unit 9, Flexspace, Pitreavie Business Park, Dunfermline, KY11 8UU
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