Today's episode is really one of my passions when it comes to mortgages and that is credit issues.

It's easy for people to give up before they even try when they assume that their credit is going to hold them back but this is the worst thing you can do…

I have put together seven tips which I am sure are going to be useful to some of you out there. I would like to hear from anyone who does actually find these useful.

These are my own top 7 mortgage tips for people who have or maybe think they have adverse credit.

The key thing to keep in mind is that adverse credit isn't always an end to your mortgage options. Sadly many people think that it is and sometimes this can be a costly assumption.

Any adverse credit on your credit file remains there for 6 years and people incorrectly get hung up on this idea that for the next 6 years your options are limited or nil.

Keep in mind however that you should disclose past bankruptcies when you are applying for a mortgage, even if they have been discharged and past 6 years. Again this doesn't mean you won't ever be able to obtain a mortgage if a bankruptcy has occurred but it is important that you do disclose this. As part of the home buying process, a solicitor will conduct a search for bankruptcy so don't be fooled into thinking that because it isn't on your credit file your previous bankruptcy isn't an issue.

If you can, time your applications as a certain amount of pre-planning can really help. For most people, there will be a certain amount of saving that needs to happen before you purchase. What I would say is that the very moment that you decide that you are going to be purchasing a property you should at this moment get a copy of your credit report.

The score on your file is an indicator, but lenders and mortgage brokers will want to see your credit report. Your report is where all the finer details are held and where we can see your picture fully.

Ideally, we would like to see no adverse credit in the last 12 months but if you're in a position where you absolutely have to apply for a mortgage don't think this is necessarily the end of your journey. Speak to a mortgage adviser to discuss your options as they are now and don't be put off just because you think that you can't do anything. There is a huge difference between assuming something and what is actually the case. I think I would be a very wealthy woman indeed if I had £1.00 for every time I heard someone say…. ‘But I didn’t think I could do anything with my mortgage’

Having a default on your credit file is not ideal, but, having a current default is even less so. Wherever possible it is preferable to satisfy your defaults so that they are on your report as being satisfied. If this isn't possible then again don't assume you're out of luck.

If these defaults are for amounts that are too large to clear then you may have to wait until these become more historic – in either case, you should always get some help going over your options.

Tip 2 – satisfy your defaults where you can

When you are seeing anyone about your mortgage, have a current copy of your credit file with you. It's best to have this as a paper print out so that you can hand it over to the adviser for them to look at.

The report will clearly show the adviser what has been registered, how historic any events are, how they have been registered, and when they were registered.  This report gives a very good picture and very good overview of your situation.