Self- Employed, or irregular earnings? - then a Self-Certified Mortage is for you

The good news is that they no longer need to cost the earth; competitive self-certification mortgage rates are now offered by many mainstream lenders.

These days, with the Internet at our finger tips, we are encouraged to carry out our own research, including comparing the best self-cert mortgages. But while online may be a good place to start, it won't take the place of a specialist mortgage broker. Not only will they know the best self-cert mortgages for your particular circumstances, but will have relationships and existing trust with self cert lenders.

As well as getting the best self-cert mortgages for you in terms of interest rate, you will also have access to the cheapest upfront charges and flexibility of the loan too - such as being able to overpay at no penalty.

Since all residential mortgages were regulated by the Financial Services Authority in November 2004, lenders that offer self-cert will now only want you to declare your income - or additional income - in order to qualify for the best self-cert mortgages.

Providers of the products will also want a more significant chunk of deposit than would apply to a standard loan; the best self-cert mortgages usually require a minimum of 25 per cent of the property value.

That said some lenders require as little as five per cent if your credit rating is impeccable. Interest rates are also edging down all the time closer to that of standard mortgages.

Nevertheless, to ensure you get the very best self-cert mortgages on the market at that time, you will have to employ the same principal as when applying for any other type of lending; that is the greater deposit you put down, the better your chances are to find a mortgage best suited to you.

Due to increasing consumer demand and more flexible working patterns in the UK, the number of borrowers looking for the best self-cert mortgages has soared, which is why it makes sense to enlist the help of a specialist mortgage broker as soon as you can.