Lenders who stretch a point

Scottish Widows: For professionals. Offers four times single income to certain professions at up to 110% loan to value (LTV).

Scottish Widows: For graduates. Offers 3.5 x single income to borrowers, who have graduated in the past seven years, up to 100% LTV. Allows relatives to guarantor shortfall in income multiples.

Bradford & Bingley's The MarketPlace: Stepladder mortgage, funded by Mortgage Express.

Offers 3.5 x single income at 100% LTV, but to meet just 70% of the property value. The borrower owns 100% of property but only pays interest on 70% for the first three years. Mortgage Express retains equity on 30% for 10 years or when property is sold or remortgaged.

Charcol: For high income earners, funded by Abbey. Offers up to 5 x single income to borrowers earning £35,000 and over or 4 x joint at combined income of £50,000, at 89.9% LTV. High credit score and good affordability necessary.

Kent Reliance Building Society: For shared ownership schemes. Offers 100% LTV on between 25% and 75% of a property value. The remainder of the property is owned by a housing association on which rent is payable.

Newcastle Building Society: For buyers with well-off parents. Guaranteed Offset Mortgage offers 95% LTV but allows relatives to offset their savings against the mortgage debt, for a five-year period, which enhances income multiples.