Borrowers reconsidering 100 per cent plus mortgages in the light of the current house price slowdown should realise that the bigger picture shows that prices are set to rise again in the future, one independent financial adviser has said.

Bestinvest has noted that, while borrowers should usually seek help from a mortgage broker or other intermediary if they are unsure of whether they will be able to afford such products, the chances of slipping into negative equity are, for the majority, very slim.

Even Northern Rock customers should not be worried over the state of their mortgages, the firm added.

"The fact is, eventually house prices will continue to increase. And hopefully as they pay off their mortgage, of course, [borrowers] reduce that burden on the loan-to-value," said Bestinvest mortgage manager Peter O'Donovan.

"[Northern Rock] have been the pioneers of the 100 per cent plus mortgage for a long-time…and no one's saying that anyone with those sorts of mortgages is going to suffer any sort of penalty.

"All the mortgages themselves were safe, they've got a good book," Mr O'Donovan concluded.