If you are behind on your mortgage or worried you soon will be, the most important thing is to act early. The sooner you deal with it, the more options you have.
Get free, independent advice first
Before deciding to sell, speak to a free debt advice service. They can look at your whole situation and may help you find ways to keep your home.
- MoneyHelper (government-backed)
- StepChange Debt Charity
- National Debtline
- Citizens Advice
- Shelter for housing advice
Talk to your lender
Tell your lender as soon as you know there is a problem. Lenders must treat customers in financial difficulty fairly and consider options such as a temporary change to your payments. In England and Wales, they must also follow set steps before they can go to court for possession, and court action is usually a last resort.
When selling might help
Sometimes selling is the right decision, for example if the payments are no longer affordable in the long term and there is enough equity to clear the mortgage. A sale you arrange yourself usually gives you more control over the price and timing than a sale after repossession.
If speed matters, a cash buyer or private investor can avoid chains and mortgage delays. Auction gives a fixed timetable.
How we help
We will be straight with you about what the property is likely to sell for, how long each route takes and whether selling now actually leaves you better off. If it does not, we will tell you. Everything is handled discreetly and without judgement.