Mortgages for Guernsey property.
Guernsey property splits into two markets and it governs everything about your mortgage. Local Market homes can only be bought and occupied by people with residential qualifications — established local status, or a housing licence tied to employment. Open Market properties, listed on Part A of the Housing Register, can be occupied by anyone. The two have different buyer pools, different resale profiles and, crucially, different appetite from lenders. A lender comfortable with a Local Market house in the Castel may want nothing to do with an Open Market property in St Peter Port, and the reverse is also true. We match you to lenders by which market you are buying in.
- Lenders matched to the market you are buying in — Local Market and Open Market are underwritten differently
- Access to Guernsey-based lenders and brokers who value island property day in, day out
- First-time buyers, home movers and returning residents all handled
- Employment-licence and Open Market purchasers placed with lenders who understand the status
- Whole-of-market comparison, so you see the shortlist rather than one bank's offer
- Soft credit check at enquiry — nothing on your file while you are still deciding
- Purchases across all ten parishes, plus Alderney, Sark and Herm
Mortgage range
No obligation. Soft credit check only.
Guernsey housing licences and lending
- The property is in the Bailiwick of Guernsey
- For Local Market purchases, you hold residential qualifications or a qualifying housing licence
- For Open Market purchases, no residential qualification is required
- Deposit requirements vary by lender and differ between the two markets — we will tell you what applies to your case
- Provable income from employment, self-employment or business profits
- First-time buyers and existing owners both considered
- Adverse credit considered, with a smaller panel and a higher rate
Not sure if you qualify? Request a call back — we will tell you honestly what your options are before you apply. Unfamiliar with any of the terms above? Loan terms explained.
Ready to get started?
Two ways to begin — choose whichever suits you best.
Soft credit check only
No obligation
Decision within 48 hours
Buying in Guernsey
Tell us which market
Local Market or Open Market, the parish, the asking price and your deposit. This single answer determines most of the lender shortlist, so we ask it first.
We match lenders to the property
We approach only lenders whose criteria fit that property type and your residential status, rather than sending your case to everyone and hoping.
You get a decision in principle
Something you can put in front of an estate agent to show you are a serious buyer. Most clients have one within 48 hours.
Your advocate handles the conveyance
Guernsey conveyancing passes through the Royal Court and your advocate manages it. We stay with the lender paperwork through to completion.
Guernsey property questions
Local Market properties can only be occupied by people with residential qualifications — established local status, or a housing licence tied to a job. Open Market properties are listed on Part A of the Housing Register and can be occupied by anyone, including people newly arrived on the island. It affects who can buy from you later, which is why lenders assess the two differently.
Not harder as such, but the panel is different. Open Market properties sit at higher values and have a smaller, more international buyer pool, so lenders take a different view of them. Some specialise in exactly this and others avoid it. The mistake is assuming your existing bank will simply extend the same terms.
Yes, and it is a common case — typically an Open Market purchase, or a Local Market purchase once an employment licence is in place. Lenders will want to see the licence or the employment contract. Tell us where you are in that process when you enquire.
Most clients get a decision in principle within 48 hours. Completion depends on your advocate and on the Royal Court process rather than on the lender, so timescales vary — ask your advocate for a realistic date rather than working back from the mortgage offer.
Guernsey does not have UK stamp duty. Document Duty is payable on the conveyance instead, and it is calculated on the value of the property. Rates and any exemptions change, so confirm the current position with your advocate or with the States of Guernsey before you budget.
Generally no. Guernsey property sits outside most UK lenders' lending area, and their standard products do not extend to it. The lenders who do write here are Channel Islands and Guernsey-based firms, which is the panel we search.
No. We are an introducer, not a lender or a mortgage adviser. We find the lenders that fit your property and status and refer you to a regulated firm who advises you and arranges the mortgage.
Other Guernsey lending
Ready to talk to a Guernsey lender?
Complete a full application online or request a call back and we will do the searching for you.
No obligation. Soft credit check only.
Secure application
Apply Online
Complete your full loan application below. Your information is handled securely and sent directly to our team.
Application received — thank you
We've received your application details. A member of our team will review it and contact you within one business day to discuss next steps.
Something went wrong. Please try again or email info@nowagogo.com.
Free, no-obligation
Request a Call Back
Leave your details and a member of our team will call you back within one business day. No obligation, no credit check.
Request received — thank you
We've received your details and a member of our team will call you back within one business day.
Something went wrong. Please try again or email us at info@nowagogo.com.