Guides & Resources
The latest tools, guides and resources from the Squared Money team.
Loan Guide & Resource Categories
If you’re interested in learning more about loans and how they could benefit your financial situation, we invite you to explore our comprehensive resources. Our guides cover everything from the basics of what loans are to more detailed aspects like how they can impact your credit score and the specific requirements for securing a loan against property.
Comparing commercial bridging quotes properly
Commercial bridging is often sold on speed, and quoted on rate. That’s understandable: when you’re trying to complete a purchase, bridge a refinance gap, or move quickly on a time-sensitive opportunity, the monthly interest rate is the most visible number.
But commercial bridging quotes can be misleading if you compare
How to Plan School Fee Funding with a HELOC
A HELOC lets families draw each term’s fees as they fall due, paying interest only on the amount drawn rather than borrowing years of fees upfront. This guide covers how to structure a school fee funding plan using a HELOC, including phased drawdown, planning for years beyond the draw period,
Heat pump running cost calculator
Whether a heat pump reduces your heating bills depends almost entirely on what fuel it is replacing and how well-insulated your property is. For oil and LPG-heated homes, the running cost saving is typically significant. For gas-heated homes, a heat pump often costs more to run than the existing boiler
Secured Loans for IVA Customers: Borrowing After an IVA
An Individual Voluntary Arrangement leaves a mark on your credit file for six years, but it does not permanently close the door on secured borrowing. This guide explains how lenders assess post-IVA applications, what eligibility looks like in practice, what rates and terms to expect, and the practical steps that
Renovation Loans for Emergency Repairs: What Are Your Options?
Before applying for any loan for an emergency home repair, check your buildings insurance. Many urgent repairs, including storm damage, burst pipes, and structural events from an external cause, are covered in full or in part. If insurance applies, the loan conversation may be unnecessary or much smaller. This guide
Bridging loans and Auction finance timelines
Buying at auction can be a brilliant way to secure a property quickly — and a stressful way to lose money if the funding doesn’t land in time. Once the hammer falls, you’re usually committed. The timetable moves fast, and there’s limited tolerance for delays caused by missing documents, slow
First charge vs second charge bridging
When a lender provides a bridging loan secured on property, they register a legal charge at HM Land Registry. That charge records their claim on the property and determines the order in which they are paid if the property is ever sold or enforced upon. A first charge lender is
Best Secured Loans in the UK: A Comprehensive Guide
In this guide, we’ll focus on finding the best secured loans by using a whole-of-market advisor. This approach ensures you access tailored options based on your circumstances, rather than limiting yourself to a handful of providers. We’ll also highlight our top five secured loan lenders in 2024, giving you an
Secured Loans with Flexible Terms: How Do They Work?
Not all secured loans lock borrowers into identical monthly payments for a fixed period. Some products offer flexibility in how and when repayments are made: overpayments to pay off faster, payment holidays for temporary breathing room, variable rates that track market movements, or the ability to adjust the term partway
Government Grants vs Home Improvement Loans: Which is Right for You?
Government grants for home improvements exist but apply to a narrow set of works and a defined set of eligibility criteria. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Great British Insulation Scheme, ECO4, and the Disabled Facilities Grant are the main current schemes in England. Each has different coverage and eligibility. For most
How to finance your home renovation
Deciding to renovate is the easy part. Working out how to pay for it is where most people slow down. The financing choice affects not just the monthly cost but the total amount repaid, the risk attached to the borrowing, and how quickly the project can start. Getting it wrong
Renovating Historic Homes: Special Loans for Listed Properties
Owning a historic home in the UK is a privilege and a challenge. While these properties offer unparalleled charm and cultural significance, their upkeep often involves unique hurdles. For instance, restoring a Georgian townhouse might mean sourcing specialised materials or adhering to conservation guidelines, which can make renovations more complex
How to Choose the Best Bad Credit Loan for Your Needs
If you have a poor credit history, finding a suitable loan in the UK can be a stressful experience. Many mainstream lenders will either reject your application outright or offer you high interest rates that can strain your budget. Still, bad credit loans exist precisely to help people who don’t
How to Avoid Debt Consolidation Scams: A Guide for UK Borrowers
Debt consolidation can be a helpful solution for managing multiple debts, but it also attracts scammers looking to exploit vulnerable borrowers. Falling victim to a scam can worsen financial troubles, so recognising red flags and understanding how to find trustworthy providers is crucial.
This guide will help you identify common
Land Planning Status Classifier
Land values and bridging availability are inseparable from planning status. A lender assessing a land case is not simply assessing the land, they are assessing the planning position, the exit route that planning status supports, and the risk that position changes or stalls during the loan term. This tool is
How to Apply for a Bad Credit Loan: A Step-by-Step Guide
Applying for a bad credit loan may seem daunting, especially if traditional lenders have turned you down in the past. However, with the right preparation and approach, you can improve your chances of approval and secure the funds you need.
This step-by-step guide will walk you through the application process
Choosing the Right Loan Term for Home Improvements
Selecting the appropriate loan term is a crucial decision when financing home improvements. It impacts not only your monthly repayments but also the total cost of borrowing. Whether you’re considering a short-term loan for minor upgrades or a long-term loan for extensive renovations, understanding the trade-offs between repayment durations can
Loan Terms Explained: How to Choose the Right Repayment Period
The loan term is the single biggest driver of total cost, more so than the interest rate. This guide explains how terms work across product types, how to match the term to the purpose, and when the product route shifts from unsecured to secured lending. All figures are illustrative.
Insulation savings calculator
Loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and solid wall insulation have very different costs, savings, and grant eligibility profiles. This calculator shows all applicable insulation types for your property side by side, including illustrative costs, annual savings, EPC band improvements, grant availability under ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, and
Secured Loan Document Checklist
Secured loan applications are typically slower than unsecured borrowing, and the most common reason for delays is documents being requested after submission that the borrower had not anticipated. Having the right paperwork ready before you begin an enquiry reduces back-and-forth and helps a broker move your case forward without unnecessary
Secured Loans Without a Mortgage: How Does It Work?
Owning a property outright, with no existing mortgage, is a strong position for a secured loan application. This guide explains how a secured loan works when there is no first charge mortgage on the property, how lenders assess the equity available, and what the process looks like from application to
Consolidating Payday Loans with a Bad Credit Loan
When payday loans begin to pile up, the short-term relief they offer can quickly transform into long-term financial stress. For many borrowers, consolidating multiple payday loans into one manageable bad credit loan can be a lifeline—provided you fully understand the process and implications. In this guide, we’ll explore how consolidating
Alternatives to a HELOC: Other Ways to Access Home Equity or Borrow
A HELOC is one way to access home equity, but it is not the only option and may not always be the most appropriate one. This guide covers the main alternatives, including remortgaging, standard second charge mortgages, further advances, personal loans, and equity release, explaining when each is better suited
Bridging for vacant commercial property
Vacant commercial property can be a strong opportunity for buyers and landlords — and a headache for lenders. Vacancy often means uncertainty: no rent coming in, no tenant covenant to lean on, and a bigger question mark over how quickly the building can be sold or refinanced if plans change.