Specialist Mortgage & Commercial Finance Broker The UK
Real Stories. Real Results. Case Studies from Finance with Stuart
At Finance with Stuart, we don’t just talk about tailored financial advice we deliver results that help our clients achieve their goals, whether that’s buying a dream home, refinancing efficiently, or securing the best protection for their family. Here are a few real-life success stories from clients across London, Surrey, Kent, Hampshire, and Sussex.
Case Study: Helping a Recycling Firm Fund Expansion
Client Type: SME – Recycling Company, London
Loan Amount: £30,000
Term: 36 months
Interest Rate: 8.7%
Monthly Repayment: £1,018
The Challenge
A growing recycling business based in London needed to secure £30,000 quickly to cover the cost of newly acquired assets following a recent expansion. Their goal was to pay suppliers without affecting their cash flow — but the specialist nature of their equipment made financing less straightforward.
How I Helped
After a face-to-face consultation, I took time to fully understand the business and its recent investments. I sourced an unsecured business loan at a competitive 8.7% interest rate over three years — allowing the client to repay their suppliers efficiently without using valuable working capital.
The funding covered essential items such as a weighbridge and other operational equipment, helping the business move into its next phase of growth.
The Outcome
✅ Loan secured at 8.7% APR
✅ Full £30,000 released
✅ Funds used to pay suppliers and support continued expansion
✅ No asset security required
“Stuart understood our needs quickly and delivered exactly what we needed – fast, clear and on point.”
Need help funding your business growth?
If you're looking for asset finance, working capital or unsecured business loans, I work with 300+ lenders to find the right solution fast.
Just like this recycling firm, many business owners don’t realise how differently lenders view company directors compared to employees. If you’re planning to expand, refinance, or invest, find out in 2 minutes how mortgage-ready you are before you apply.
Buying a business? Don’t guess your way through funding.
Most first-time buyers or directors don’t realise how much support is available from specialist lenders.
This guide walks you through how to fund a business purchase even if you’re not a homeowner or don’t have a massive deposit.
✅ What’s Inside:
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3 proven structures used by SME buyers
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Lenders that support MBOs and MBIs
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What documents you’ll need
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Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
Your business is unique. Your finance should be too.
Case Study – When the Clock Was Ticking on a Commercial Mortgage
The Challenge
A client aged 79 came to me with a pressing issue: his commercial mortgage was due to expire in just six weeks.
The business was profitable and long-established, but refinancing was proving almost impossible:
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Lenders were reluctant due to his age
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The property had been down-valued because of damp
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The existing lender demanded very high fees just to extend the mortgage
The client wanted a 5-year solution to repay the mortgage, stabilise cash flow, and plan his exit from the business. Time was running out.
The Solution
We explored alternatives to a traditional mortgage refinance and identified a more effective route: an unsecured loan backed by a Personal Guarantee.
This option meant:
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✅ No property valuation delays
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✅ No early repayment charges, full flexibility
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✅ Funds released within 10 days of application
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✅ Mortgage repaid before expiry, avoiding default risk
The client also arranged financial protection with an Independent Financial Adviser, providing extra peace of mind around the Personal Guarantee.
The Outcome
By taking a smarter approach, we avoided a costly, stressful, and time-consuming mortgage process. Instead, the client secured a facility that gave him:
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Certainty – the mortgage was cleared in time
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Control – flexibility to repay early on his terms
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Peace of mind – knowing his business exit strategy was protected
When timing is critical, lenders want reassurance that your finances are in order. My free Mortgage-Readiness Scorecardshows you in just 2 minutes how lenders are likely to view your application so you can move faster with confidence.
Case Study: First-Time Buyer Secures Mortgage After Just 1 Year of Self-Employment
Client Profile
Brighton
32-year-old freelance copywriter
First-time buyer
The Situation
After leaving a successful marketing career to go freelance, my client had completed just one year of trading and had already submitted her first tax return. She had a strong income stream, a healthy deposit, and excellent credit but every lender she approached gave the same answer:
“You need two full years of self-employed accounts.”
The Problem
Despite her solid financials, most high street lenders saw her as high risk simply because she hadn’t ticked the “2-year” box. She felt stuck: doing well in business, but locked out of the property market.
How I Helped
I stepped in with a clear, structured plan:
✅ Reviewed her filed accounts and Tax Year Overview
✅ Worked with her accountant to provide a projection letter
✅ Collected evidence of active contracts and bank statements to prove consistency
I then approached a specialist lender who considers cases with just one year of trading as long as the case is packaged clearly and the income story is solid.
The Outcome
✅ Full mortgage approval with no delays
✅ Competitive fixed rate secured
✅ She completed and moved in within 9 weeks
✅ Gained confidence and breathing room to grow her business
What She Said
“I thought I’d have to wait another year. Stuart got me into my first home when others said no and explained every step so it actually made sense.”
If you’re self-employed…and being told you need 2+ years of accounts don’t give up just yet.
I work with lenders who understand how modern businesses work not just rigid rules. If you’ve been trading for at least 12 months, you could be closer to homeownership than you think.
Let’s turn your business income into borrowing power.
