The Challenge

Portway Finance was approached by a professional sports client seeking a residential mortgage to purchase a £3,950,000 UK home. The client faced a highly compressed timeline to complete the transaction, adding immediate pressure to the funding process.

A major hurdle emerged when it became clear that the current owners had only held the property for two months. Most high-street lenders require a minimum of six months’ ownership before they will consider lending on a property. This restriction typically pushes similar clients toward private banks, which often come with higher rates, slower onboarding, and more complex requirements.

To meet the deadline and secure competitive pricing, Portway Finance needed to find a lender prepared to look beyond standard criteria and assess the case based on its underlying strength.

Our Solution

Using our detailed understanding of lender policies and long-standing relationships within the high-street market, Portway Finance identified a lender willing to make an ownership-criteria exception for this case.

We positioned the client’s profile, income track record, and financial stability clearly and transparently, allowing the underwriter to focus on the fundamentals rather than the technical six-month rule.

The lender agreed to proceed and offered highly competitive terms:

• 2-year tracker mortgage
• 0.21% above the Bank of England base rate
• Current pay rate: 4.21%
• Loan amount: £2,643,750

Underwriting was completed in just four days, and legal and valuation work progressed at speed to meet the client’s deadline.

The Outcome

The mortgage completed within the required timeframe, allowing the client to proceed with their home purchase without disruption. By securing a high-street mortgage rather than resorting to private banking, the client benefited from:

• A significantly lower interest rate
• A simpler application process
• A lender willing to consider a policy exception
• Delivery at the speed required for the transaction

The client was able to move forward on schedule, fully satisfied with both the terms and the turnaround.

This case highlights Portway Finance’s ability to navigate lender criteria, secure exceptions where appropriate, and deliver high-value residential mortgages under tight deadlines.

Our approach ensures clients receive competitive terms, clear guidance, and a smooth path to completion, even when the circumstances are far from straightforward.