Max Gallagher · Mortgage AdviserMortgage adviser in Altrincham
Altrincham buyers are usually stretching for something: a family home inside Trafford's grammar-school catchments, a period house towards Bowdon, or a first flat near the Interchange with the tram into Manchester on the doorstep. I arrange mortgages across the whole WA14 and WA15 patch, Timperley, Broadheath, the town centre and out towards Hale.
If you have been searching for a mortgage broker in Altrincham, that is the job I do. I am Max Gallagher, the Mortgage Expert with Financial Options Group. I compare lenders, recommend the one deal that fits, and run the application through to completion, chasing the lender, the solicitor and the estate agent so you do not have to. The first conversation is free, at my office, at your home in Altrincham, or by Teams or phone.
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Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
First-time buyers in Altrincham
First-time buyers in Altrincham are often renting near the market quarter and want to know exactly what their salary and deposit can reach, and whether Broadheath or Timperley gets them more house for the same monthly payment.
Most first-time buyers start with three questions: how much deposit do I need, how much can I borrow, and will a lender say yes to me? Deposits of five to ten per cent are common, gifted deposits from family are usually fine when documented properly, and a Lifetime ISA bonus can count towards one. Affordability is set by each lender's own rules on income, outgoings and existing credit, which is why two lenders can give very different answers to the same buyer. I get you an agreement in principle before you view, so an offer carries weight, and I explain the whole process in plain English from offer to keys.
Moving home or remortgaging in Altrincham
Families moving up for the schools are the classic Altrincham case, and the numbers usually work best when the mortgage, protection and school-run budget are planned together rather than one at a time. Remortgaging a period house towards Bowdon often also means borrowing extra for work on the house.
If your fixed rate is ending, the work starts about six months before, when most lenders will let you reserve a new deal. Your current lender's product transfer is quick, but it is one offer from one lender, and a remortgage elsewhere can undercut it, especially if the value of your home has risen and you now sit in a lower loan-to-value band. If you are moving, we look at whether your existing deal can be ported to the new property, how any early repayment charge affects the timing, and how much extra borrowing the move or an extension needs.
Buy-to-let mortgages in Altrincham
Altrincham's rental market is strong around the town centre and tram stops, and I advise landlords on buy-to-let and let-to-buy when a move means keeping the old home as an investment.
Buy-to-let lending works differently from a residential mortgage. Lenders typically want a larger deposit, usually around a quarter of the purchase price, and they test whether the expected rent covers the mortgage payment with a margin to spare. First-time landlords, limited company purchases and let-to-buy, where you keep your current home and rent it out when you move, each have their own lender rules, and I will explain the tax and structure questions you should put to your accountant before you commit. Some buy-to-let mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Protecting your mortgage
A mortgage is usually the biggest commitment a household ever makes, so I look at what happens to it if you could not work, fell seriously ill or died. Life cover sized to the loan, critical illness cover and income protection are the three building blocks, and the right mix depends on your employer's sick pay, your savings and who relies on your income. I have won the Protection Hero award twice, in 2024 and 2025, for exactly this kind of work, and I would rather you had cover that fits than the policy the lender happened to offer.
How mortgage advice works with me
Free first chat
At my office in Walshaw, at your home in Altrincham, or by Teams or phone.
Agreement in principle
Know your budget, so estate agents take your offer seriously.
Your recommendation
I compare lenders and recommend one deal, explained in writing.
Application to offer
I handle the paperwork and chase everyone through to your offer.
Completion and beyond
A reminder before your rate ends, so you never drift onto the standard variable rate.
Your initial consultation is free, with no cost and no obligation to proceed.
Mortgage questions from Altrincham
Are you a mortgage broker or a mortgage adviser?
Both words describe the same job in practice. I am the Mortgage Expert with Financial Options Group: I compare lenders, recommend one deal and manage the application through to completion. If you searched for a mortgage broker in Altrincham, this is the service you were looking for.
Do I need to come to Bury to see you?
No. Plenty of Altrincham clients never visit the office. I can meet you at home, or we can do everything by Teams and phone with documents shared securely. If you would like to come to Walshaw, you are welcome at my office.
How much deposit do I need to buy in Altrincham?
It depends on the lender and your circumstances more than on the town. Some lenders will lend with a five per cent deposit, most give better rates at ten per cent and above, and buy-to-let usually needs around a quarter. I will tell you what your deposit and income can reach before you start viewing.
My fixed rate ends soon. When should I talk to you?
About six months before it ends. That is when most lenders let you lock in a new deal, and it leaves time to compare a remortgage against your current lender's offer without rushing. If it has already ended and you are on a standard variable rate, get in touch today.
Mortgage advice nearby
I arrange mortgages across West Manchester and Trafford, and each area has its own page.