Ok so thoughts on the #mortgagegate situation. I suspect she was knocked back due to employment, I would imagine she is only on a yearly rolling contract so that there isn't a guaranteed income. She relies solely on being an 'Influencer' to make money, in the eyes of a lender that wouldn't be deemed a stable job. Also, as she is self employed she may have taken some of the Goverment Grants that were available last year, what they don't tell you, is that you have to declare them when applying for a mortgage. They are frowned upon with lenders.
Large mortgages just aren't a thing anymore, you do need a substantial deposit. I suspect her 'cash' is tied up in the business and not easily accessible, added to that, that Jimbobnojob doesn't work so it's a singular income.
Also, if she went through the whole application process and was knocked back at the final hurdle by an underwriter, it will leave a mark on her credit file so she won't be able to apply for another mortgage for a while.
She will want to go bigger and better than Stacey so I think she's probably been looking at properties well above her means.