Case Study: First-Time Buyer Day-Rate Contractor Secures 95% Mortgage for £600k Property

DIRECTOR AND MORTGAGE ADVISER
Specialist broker for high-earning professionals and complex income cases.
Request your fee free mortgage consultation today. No obligation, just sound advice.
Overview
A young software developer and first-time buyer approached us after being turned away by other brokers. Paid via his own limited company as a day-rate contractor, he was keen to get on the property ladder without waiting two years to build up self-employed accounts. He wanted to maximise borrowing while retaining funds for post-completion refurbishment work.
The Challenge
Despite a strong income, the client had been told elsewhere that he would need to wait two years before applying for a mortgage due to being newly self-employed. He didn’t yet have two full years of tax returns, which many brokers and lenders see as a requirement. On top of this, he wanted to borrow at 95% loan-to-value (LTV) on a £600,000 purchase—an ambitious figure in itself—and needed to keep repayments low to ensure affordability.

Speak To An Expert Today
Get in touch for a fee free, no-obligation chat about how we might be able to help you.
Our Solution
Using our knowledge of lender criteria, we identified a high street lender that accepts day-rate contractors without the need for two years of accounts. We used his current contract and bank statements to evidence income, and structured the mortgage over the maximum term given his age to reduce monthly payments. We also placed him on a two-year deal, giving him the time and flexibility to carry out planned refurbishment works that would increase the value of the property.
The Outcome
We secured a 95% mortgage on a £600,000 property at a competitive rate and with no arrangement fee to minimise upfront costs. The term extension and fee-free product kept monthly payments low. Once renovations are complete, the increased property value should allow for a lower LTV and a more competitive remortgage in two years’ time.
What Our Clients Say
Kite Mortgages were brilliant from start to finish. With most of my income coming from bonuses, I’d expected the mortgage process to be painful, but David and…
David was really helpful. Provided clear advice on my own mortgage and also helped provide advice to me when my buyers had issues securing a mortgage…
We couldn't be more impressed with the service from our David Walsh! He stepped in and handled everything with incredible speed and professionalism, making…
David has been great. He was very responsive, he found the right deal, and he helped me (successfully!) navigate a few curveballs on the journey!
Mr. Simon Hart helped us during the process of purchasing our first home. As complete new to the experience, we asked many questions and Simon…
Highly recommend! David was a huge help to us as first time buyers. All our options were presented clearly and quickly. David provided excellent advice which…
I am a first time buyer and not originally from the UK so the whole process of buying was pretty new to me. I found Kite Mortgages online which connected me with Simon…
I highly recommend David and his team at Kite Mortgages. David has helped me secure mortgage finance for two homes now, and recently helped…
David and the team at Kite mortgages have been fantastic. They helped us secure mortgage finance for our home and a seamless subsequent…
During a difficult purchase, David was everything we needed from a mortgage broker. He presented us with the best options and took his time to talk us through the…
I was put in touch with Simon Hart at Kite Mortgages by my estate agents Alex & Matteo to help with the purchase of my first property. Simon was super responsive…
We found David/Kite through google search. This was our first purchase so we quite nervous and naive of the process. But we had excellent service throughout…
David was a calm, extremely knowledgeable and very reliable voice throughout the entire process of buying my first flat. He explains complicated and unfamiliar…
David at Kite Mortgages has helped me out on multiple occasions to get the best deal for re-financing. Excellent communication and always quick to respond. I wouldn't…
What We Can Do for You
If you're self-employed, a contractor, or have been told your situation is too complex, we’re here to help. We specialise in navigating non-standard income structures and understand which lenders to approach to maximise borrowing potential without unnecessary delays. With the right advice and smart structuring, getting a mortgage as a contractor doesn’t have to be out of reach.
Request your fee free mortgage consultation today. No obligation, just sound advice.
Related Case Studies
A young media sales exec with a modest base salary and strong commission was struggling to find a lender. We used a recent 3-month commission average to secure 5.5x income — unlocking a 90% mortgage on a £650k home with a manageable repayment structure.
A tech startup founder was repeatedly told he couldn’t borrow due to being “self-employed” with low historic income. We dug deeper, reclassified him as a PAYE employee, and unlocked a mortgage based on current earnings — helping his growing family move home.
A North London couple needed to upsize to a home requiring major renovation — but still live in their current property during the works. We structured a two-property mortgage plan using interest-only loans, bonus income, and an offset facility to make it all work smoothly.
A UK national working in Saudi Arabia was about to roll onto his lender’s standard variable rate (a much higher default rate after a fixed deal ends). We secured a new 1-year fix with his current lender just in time, saving money and locking in certainty while he remained overseas.
Two doctors with young children needed a mortgage for their dream home in Oxfordshire. We used variable locum income, maternity return projections, and an interest-only element to keep payments manageable during high childcare years — securing 85% LTV on a £900k home.
An Italian CTO earning in Swiss francs and living between Zurich and London needed to refinance his UK home. We secured a competitive high street mortgage using 100% of his foreign income—overcoming currency and age-related challenges to replace an inflexible international loan with a cost-effective long-term solution.
We helped a newly promoted non-equity partner at a US-headquartered law firm secure a £2.48m mortgage on an £3.1m purchase. By structuring the loan with a mix of repayment and interest-only borrowing, we kept monthly costs manageable while meeting complex income requirements including USD bonus earnings.
We helped a law firm associate refinance his home and buy out a former partner by leveraging his most recent bonus income and a high 5.5x loan-to-income multiple. Our tailored approach allowed him to maximise borrowing and stay in his property—without the disruption or cost of moving.
An international lawyer buying his first home in London faced challenges due to a low personal deposit, reliance on bonus income, and a long lead time to completion. We secured a competitive 90% mortgage using the developer incentive, included offer flexibility, and ensured affordability—despite limited bonus history.
A young contractor, told he needed two years of accounts, came to us seeking a 95% mortgage on a £600k property. Using his current contract and smart structuring, we secured the loan with low monthly payments—enabling him to buy now, refurbish, and remortgage on better terms later.
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSESSED IF YOU DON’T KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE
Kite Mortgages is a trading style of Kite Financial Ltd which is an appointed representative of The Openwork Partnership, a trading style of Openwork Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
APPROVED BY THE OPENWORK PARTNERSHIP ON 27/06/2025