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Mortgage Strategies for the Inexperienced

Jerry Figueroa Lee asked:


Buying a home and arranging a mortgage is said to be one of the most stressful experiences we can have in live, yet it doesn’t need to be. No matter whether you are a First Time Buyer or moving home, the step by step guide that follows will help ensure that your mortgage application runs smoothly.

Step 1 – Contact an independent mortgage adviser

Buying a home can be one of the most exciting experiences as well as one of the most daunting. With thousands of fixed, tracker, discount and variable rate mortgage products in the market, and so many different factors to take into consideration, how do you now which is the best mortgage product to meet your needs both now and in the future. Making a mistake can proof to be costly and so seeking professional independent mortgage advice is one of the most important steps you can take.

An independent mortgage adviser will complete a detailed fact find of your current circumstances and future expectations, and will analyse what mortgage products are available based on your income, age, credit history and attitude to risk. This analysis will highlight the most suitable products for which Key Facts illustrations will be provided.

Independent mortgage advice need not cost a fortune either. In most cases a broker fee will be good value for money, and will often be offset by the exclusive rates normally available via brokers. In a growing number of cases, Independent Mortgage Advice is provided free of charge with the mortgage adviser being paid for the introduction by the lender on completion of the mortgage.

Step 2 – Mortgage Promise or Initial Agreement in Principle

Once you have selected the best mortgage deal for your requirements, it is well worth applying for the lenders initial agreement in principle, also known as a mortgage promise. This is something that can be arranged on-line or over the phone by your mortgage adviser, with the lenders acceptance decision being available within minutes of submission. The initial agreement in principle will produce a certificate of confirmation that can be shown to prospective sellers to reassure them that mortgage finance is agreed, and that you are serious about buying.

A mortgage agreement in principle can always be arranged prior to knowing what property you will be purchasing or even before you have decided on the best type of mortgage product. The certificate will normally remain valid for 3 months, and speed up the process later when you make a formal application.

Applying for an initial mortgage agreement from several lenders is absolutely fine, but unless you expect the lender to have a problem in agreeing to the mortgage amount required, you are best advised to restrict the number of credit checks that you authorize to be carried out, as too many credit checks in a short period of time can adversely affect your eventual credit score.

What if your initial application is refused?

Agreements in principle are often declined and in most cases for one of the following reasons.

- An adverse credit history has been picked up when the lender has undertaken their credit checks and credit scoring.

- The lenders lending criteria has not been met such as being too young or too old, not in employment for long enough.

When these circumstances arise your mortgage adviser is ideally placed to discuss matters with the lender, and where no resolution can be found, to advise you of other lenders and their products where the criteria does fit.

Step 3 – Complete the mortgage application

Once you have received notification that your mortgage is agreed in principle, the full application can then be submitted. To submit the full application, full details about your circumstances will be required by the lender. These details will include the details of the property, how much you want to borrow and where the rest of the money (your deposit) is coming from. Accurate and honest information provided at this stage when completing the form, can help tremendously towards the avoidance of delays in the application process later on.

There are many benefits of using a mortgage advisers services when submitting the full mortgage application, with the main benefit being that the adviser will have years of experience of the individual lenders underwriting practices, and can advise you of the best way to package and submit the application.

Bear in mind that exclusive mortgage rates, which can not be obtained direct from the lender are often available through an Independent Mortgage Adviser.

As well as completing the application form, some documentation will be required to back up the details given. Exactly what, will depend on the type of mortgage applied for and the lender involved. In the case of a self certification mortgage, the documents required can be as little as proof of your identity and proof of residence.

Typically when borrowing 75% – 90% of the property value, the lender will require the following:

- Pay slips (often for the last three months)

- P60

- If self employed copies of two or three years accounts will be required.

- Bank details for the Direct Debit mandate.

- Proof of identity such as a passport.

- Proof of address such as a recent utilities bill. or bank statement.

- Proof of the last 12 months mortgage payments or a tenancy reference if renting.

Where documentation is required in support of the application, any delay in providing it will delay the lender issuing the mortgage offer. Dealing with an independent mortgage adviser ensures that you will be informed about any documentary requirements quicker than if dealing direct with the lenders.

Step 4 – Instruction of the property valuation

Once the mortgage application is submitted and agreed, the lender will instruct a valuer to inspect the property. The cost of the valuation is born by you unless the mortgage you are applying for includes an incentive such as a free valuation fee.

The mortgage valuation allows the lender to confirm the value of the property and agree to the lending required. In addition to the basic valuation for mortgage purposes, you can ask the lender to carry out a more detailed survey of the property (which is advisable) such as a homebuyer’s report.

The homebuyer report is in a standard format and is designed specifically as an economical survey and an effective way to minimize risk. The homebuyer report ensures that any defects or problems that could effect the value of the property, are picked up highlighting any that are urgent. As part of the Homebuyer’s report an integrated valuation for mortgage purposes is included, unlike a structural survey.

Step 5 – Instruct a Solicitor

It’s the solicitor’s job to review the Home Information Pack (HIP) which includes an Energy Performance Certificate, an index of contents, a sale statement, evidence of title, searches and leasehold documents, when you are buying.As well as negotiating and exchanging contracts the solicitor’s job is also to receive funds from the lender for transfer to the sellers solicitor as well as updating the title deeds. Once contracts have been signed and returned the solicitor will agree a date for completion. On the day of completion, funds will be exchanged between solicitors at which point keys can be collected to your new home.

If using an independent mortgage adviser, check to see if a fixed legal fee package is available, as this can often save time and money, and can result in using a solicitor where the adviser has some leverage to make things happen quickly.

Erin Ryan asked:


In times gone by, there hasn’t been a specific type of mortgage known as a ‘first time buyer mortgage’. But, as property prices have raised so much in the UK over the last five years, leaving first time buyers out of the market, mortgage lenders have had to come up with some new and creative ways of lending to help people onto the first rung of the property ladder.

Ten years ago, first time buyer mortgages were easily calculated by simply multiplying your annual salary by two and a half. Nowadays it’s a lot more complicated than that!

Now there are hundreds of lenders offering thousands of first mortgages – all vying for your first time buyer mortgage business. Along with the competitive situation there are a great number of first time buyer mortgage deals to be had!

So, how should you go about deciding on your first mortgage?

If you have time and are fairly numerate, it’s possible to research the offering in magazines and on-line. You can compare first time buyer mortgages in terms of their promotional offers, costs, interest rates, fees, pay-back terms and how much the lenders might lend.

There are an enormous number of variables to consider. For that reason, consulting a mortgage broker or advisor can offer significant financial benefits. It is important to seek appropriate first time buyer mortgage advice. Probably of all the different types of mortgages, 1st time buyer mortgages offer the most variables – as the area has become more competitive.

Mortgage brokers or mortgage advisors who are independent will have access to and knowledge of all the mortgages on the market. They will not only know the differences between the lenders – how responsive they are, how flexible, how generous, but they will be up to date with the rates and offers. They will probably also be able to sell you other relevant ancillary products like life and property insurance should you need them.

When seeking first time buyer mortgage advice, you will find that many first time buyer mortgage advisors and brokers offer a free consultation, taking their earnings from the commission they earn when they sell a mortgage. Others will charge, possibly up to £800 for a consultation. You always have the right to ask how they are being paid.

Plenty of first mortgage information is readily available and in the public domain, in magazines or on the internet. If you want your mortgage broker to advise on a particular range of products that they feel suit your circumstances you will need to actively approve this. Offering mortgage advice is governed by the Financial Services Act and has to be carried out according to very strict guidelines and rules.

The main differences between mortgages are how much they cost and how you are charged. There can be quite a difference!

The main way in which the mortgage lender charges you for the loan is through interest payments. The interest charged is based upon the interest rates set by the Bank of England.

There are two main types of first time mortgages. The difference is determined on whether you pay for the interest and also pay back the loan, or just pay the interest on the loan. It’s a big difference that really needs to be understood when you are considering your 1st mortgage.

A repayment mortgage is one where you pay off part of the loan as well as interest on that loan every month. At the end of the term of the mortgage, usually between 25 and 35 years, you will have paid off the interest on the loan and you will have paid off the loan. The property will be yours.

With an interest only mortgage, you only pay the interest each month on the loan. Thus you are paying less out each month for your mortgage. You must be aware that at the end of the term, whilst you might have paid off the interest on the mortgage, you will still owe all the money to the value of the mortgage. With an interest only mortgage you will need to find some other way (typically some sort of policy) to pay off the mortgage if you want to own your home at the end of the term.

When you add up the interest you will pay on your mortgage you may be shocked to see what an enormous sum it is. There are ways of reducing it, the main one being by shortening the mortgage term when you are able to pay more into the mortgage each month. From two or three years after you take out your first mortgage, you should look into remortgaging.

There are also many other variables like fixed, tracker, discounted, variable, capped, offset – your first time buyer mortgage advisor will be able to help you choose between all the different 1st mortgages.

With the property crisis for first time buyers, the lenders have launched a number of first time buyer mortgages designed to help out. They often mean unconventional ownership options which will become more widely used as time goes by.

We have put together a list of popular first time buyer mortgages:

Guarantor mortgages: parents guarantee to pay your mortgage payments if you can’t.

Cash-back mortgages: purchase the house and receive a lump sum from the lender to pay some costs like stamp duty and furnishings.

Mortgages based on parents’ residual borrowing capacity: borrow more because your parents can help you with the payments.

Family offset mortgages: your family’s savings interest is offset against your mortgage interest.

Graduate and professional mortgages: bigger mortgages are offered to those who are dammed to have careers where salaires are expected to rise quickly.

Shared ownership mortgages: own part of a property, pay rent to the co-owner (usually a housing association) and get a shared ownership mortgage out for the part you are buying.

Extended term mortgages: start out with a repayment term of up to 40 years. It makes the monthly payments more affordable but you would pay a lot more interest overall if you didn’t shorten the term at some point.

High Loan-to Value mortgages: lenders might lend up to 130% of the value of the property. You start with negative equity but all your costs will be covered. These mortgages are only available to the rare few.

Joint mortgages: you team up with a friend or family member to borrow more, share the costs but have joint mortgage payment liability.

‘Renting a room’ mortgages: if there’s a spare room in the house, the rental revenue is taken into account when deciding how much to lend to you.

Rent to Buy mortgages: the amount of monthly rent you’ve been paying is taken as the account. It demonstrates affordability.

Shared appreciation mortgages: in exchange for a mortgage and an additional cheap ‘equity loan’ with which to buy a first home, you would have to give up some of the increase in value of your property to the lender when you sell it.

There are now so many options, the best thing to do is to seek first time buyer mortgage advice.