A difficult credit history doesn't automatically mean you can't get a mortgage. It does mean your options are more limited, the process requires more thought, and working with a broker who understands the specialist market becomes considerably more valuable than it might be for someone with a straightforward credit file.

Mortgage completion is the the stage where things can go wrong at short notice, and understanding what's actually happening on completion day means you're less likely to be caught off guard if something doesn't go entirely to plan.

This isn't a conversation anyone wants to have, and I understand that, but it is one of the most important ones, because knowing what your options are if you ever find yourself in this situation is genuinely useful, and the earlier you understand the process the better placed you are to deal with it if it ever arises.

Mortgage protection insurance is a broad term that covers a few different types of cover, and understanding what each one does is the starting point for working out what's relevant to your situation.

Shared ownership is a route onto the property ladder that more people are using, and with house prices where they are it's not difficult to understand why. What's less straightforward is how the mortgage works within that structure, and there are some important things worth understanding before you commit.

If you're considering overpaying your mortgage, here's what's worth knowing before you start sending extra payments to your lender.

If you're thinking about purchasing a property to rent out, or you already own one and you're coming up to a remortgage, it's worth understanding that buy-to-let mortgages operate quite differently from the residential mortgage you might have on your own home.

Whether you're buying with a partner, a friend or a family member, there are some important practical and legal considerations that are worth getting your head around before you apply, because they affect not just how the mortgage works but what happens to it if circumstances change down the line.