Frequently asked Questions
A: The minimum deposit most lenders will accept is 10% of the purchase price. However, the larger the deposit you have the less of a risk the lender will see you as and the interest rates on offer will be better. With house prices still being very high finding 10% for most people can seem almost impossible. If this is the case please feel free to phone me on 01793 354443 to discuss possible solutions.
A: Most lenders have moved away from simple income multiples towards much more complicated and variable affordability calculators. As an indication expect it to be between 3 and 5 times gross income depending on any other commitments you may have and from one lender to another. This is an area where after discussing your own situation with me I can give you a much clearer idea of your own maximum loan amount.
A: Lending is now much harder to obtain than a few years ago so it is vital you do everything possible to improve your chances of success. This will include making sure you are registered on the Electoral register, paying any credit commitments on time with no missed payments. For many first time buyers with no credit it can sometimes be hard to demonstrate a good credit record. Therefore you may want to take a credit card with your bank for small regular transactions to build up a record of good credit handling. Of course it must be done sensibly and only at levels where you can clear the whole balance every month as borrowing on credit cards can be expensive if this is not done.
A: Unless the property is a flat with Building Insurance included in the monthly fee the mandatory insurance is Building Insurance. As well as this you should consider covering the mortgage with a mixture of Life Cover, Critical Illness Cover, Income Protection and Contents Insurance. This mix will depend on your own situation and budget. I can help put this package together for you to exactly match what you need and can afford.
A: Up to £125,000 - Nil
£125,001 to £250,000 - 1% *
£250,001 to £500,000 - 3%
Over £500,000 - 4%
* First Time Buyers are exempt up to £250,000
A: Between 3 and 6 months before the current mortgage rate ends.
A: No. I don't charge a fee for any of the meetings or work I do for my clients. I get paid by commission by the mortgage provider and I also ask my clients to refer me to their friends should they be happy to do so in lieu of any payment.
A: Yes. I am completely impartial for which lender I recommend and this depends entirley on your situation, requirements and the deals available at the time. I am self employed and am based in Swindon and have a very good knowledge of the local market.