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It's a fair question – are you a self cert borrower? Are you exempt from many of the mortgages that are out there on the high street? And if so, why are you a financial outcast?

Well, when you are considered for a mortgage the first thing a mortgage lender looks at is your wage. They see how much you earn each month and calculate how much you could reasonably afford to spend on a mortgage. It's a simple way of calculating your 'affordability'.

The problem arises when you cannot put a figure on how much you earn every month. Maybe you earn bonuses a few times a year, maybe you are a freelance worker who earns erratically. You might have two jobs at different points in the year, you might earn commission depending on how well you achieve your goals.

The Office of National Statistics says there are as many as 3 million people in the UK who cannot prove their income, and they need to be self certified – in other words, the borrower has to guarantee their own income. They have to be able to say, truthfully, if they could afford the mortgage they want.

So if you cannot put a number on what you earn, and think you have the potential to own a mortgage regardless, talk to your financial adviser today. You are a self cert borrower, and you need a specialised mortgage that only an adviser can provide.

Keep up with the latest news and comments on Self Employed Mortgages at the Self Cert Mortgage Blog