As the British economy continues to struggle, it’s hard for many people to obtain a mortgage, either due to market conditions or bad credit. And if you already own a home, your remortgage options may not be clear either. But despite the downturn, most working people will be able to do something to switch their mortgage if they’re not happy with the deal they have now.

If you want to discuss your remortgage options, a mortgage broker is your best bet. Although you can speak to your bank directly, a broker will have a broader range of options and will normally find a better deal. Of course, if you have a particular reason for sticking with your bank – such as a special rate or discount you’ve been offered – you may find this trumps other offers anyway. If you’re interested in an offset product, it might be worth seeing what your bank can offer.

In terms of the mortgages you can access, you’ll be familiar with most of them from your first mortgage application. You’ll normally be able to compare a range of fixed rate, capped rate, tracker, offset and variable rate mortgages, as well as some more specialised products such as interest-only mortgages. Remember that an interest-only product effectively halts your repayments, and the equity in your home will not increase.

Looking to move? If you’re struggling to sell your home, think about remortgage options in the buy-to-let market. A buy-to-let mortgage could allow you to rent your house out instead of selling it, allowing you to move more quickly to another property. This is a powerful remortgage option for people who can afford the deposit for a second home, particularly while house sales are slow and vendors are being forced to slash prices for a sale.

Self employed? Always ask a broker about your remortgage options. Self employed people and contractors (or freelancers) can find it difficult to remortgage at the best of times, and with the economic downturn in full swing, it can feel like there’s nowhere to turn. But for the self employed, brokers are usually the best port of call. If mainstream lenders are giving you little or no remortgage options, try a specialist mortgage adviser. Often, advisers have access to products which are not available from high-street lenders, and these products are more suitable for people who work for themselves.