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Are you a first time buyer in Durham looking to buy your first home and are undecided on a location? Have your living circumstances changed and you are looking at moving home into a new area in Durham? However, where are you going to move to?
To help sway your decision, we have come up with our top list of places to live in Durham.
The city center is a captivating blend of history and contemporary living. With its cobbled streets, medieval architecture, and the iconic Durham Cathedral, the city center exudes a timeless charm. Residents enjoy easy access to a plethora of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. The city’s transport links make it convenient for those working or studying at Durham University, contributing to the vibrant and diverse community.
For those seeking a more tranquil setting while still being close to the city’s amenities, Nevilles Cross is an excellent choice. This residential area boasts tree-lined streets, parks, and excellent schools, making it an ideal location for families. With convenient access to the A167, commuting to neighboring cities is straightforward, and the nearby university facilities add an academic touch to the community.
The Viaduct area offers a picturesque setting along the River Wear, providing residents with stunning waterfront views. The Riverside Walk and Wharton Park are popular spots for outdoor activities, creating a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. The neighborhood is well-connected by public transport, and the blend of modern housing and natural beauty makes Viaduct a sought-after location for those who appreciate the outdoors.
Framwellgate Moor is known for its affordable housing options and strong sense of community. With local shops, schools, and parks, residents find everything they need within reach. The community atmosphere is further enhanced by regular events and activities organised by local groups. Proximity to the city center, combined with the affordable housing market, makes Framwellgate Moor an attractive option for many.
Situated to the east of Durham, Gilesgate has become a popular choice for students due to its close proximity to the university campuses. The area offers a lively atmosphere with diverse amenities, including pubs, cafes, and recreational facilities. While it has a youthful energy, Gilesgate is also home to families and professionals who appreciate the vibrancy of the neighborhood.
As you embark on the journey to find your dream home, consider these seven outstanding locations, each contributing to the vibrant tapestry of Durham’s diverse and welcoming communities. As your trusted mortgage broker in Durham, we are here to guide first time buyers and home movers in Durham through the process and help you secure the suirable purchase or remortgage deal that fits your needs.
There are many reasons why you should use a Mortgage Broker in Durham. It can be helpful if you are taking that first step into the mortgage world, or going through the process the second time as you come towards the end of your fixed term as the process can be daunting sometimes.
With many options available for homeowners and home buyers, you ideally want to get it right first time, even with a lot of money involved.
Obviously, we believe that our tailored service as a Mortgage Broker in Durham would be helpful during the mortgage journey, in particular, First Time Buyers in Durham.
Even though we are experts in assisting customers through the process, it’s also understandable that the service is not for everyone and some may still wonder how we can help.
With this in mind, we have created a helpful guide about why approaching a Mortgage Broker in Durham could benefit you in your situation and why some people decide to go direct to the mortgage lender instead.
Deciding to go direct with the mortgage lender and finding your own mortgage deal can save you more money than approaching a Mortgage Broker in Durham. However, mortgage brokers may charge a fee but can be based on circumstances.
Being experienced in going through the process, having an easy case and lengthy knowledge may mean that it’s best and cheaper to go through the process yourself. This can be an issue if you have a more complicated case and people who don’t understand the lender criteria.
Going through the mortgage process with little to no knowledge could either result in you being on the wrong deal or ending up unsuccessful when applying for a mortgage deal. Either circumstance could mean spending more money than you have to, or damage your credit score which could negatively effect your chances of applying for a mortgage further down the line.
A dedicated Mortgage Advisor in Durham strives in getting your recommendation right the first time by finding you the best and cheapest deal on offer. As much as this service comes with a fee, you could find that you save a lot of money in the end.
One of the reasons why many older customers decide to approach a bank is due to how the mortgage process was previously run. Prior to the introduction of online banking apps and modern technology, as a loyal customer, you may approach your local branch a lot where you would speak to the same people.
If you were looking to get a mortgage, you would go through the bank manager and speak to them. They had extensive knowledge of your finances and would be the ones to approve a mortgage for you. Now, many things are done digital including credit scoring.
Because of advanced technology within these banks, it means that the bank manager would not personally go through your case. It would be carried out through an online system which will determine if you are eligible for a mortgage or not. Regardless of what bank you are with, everyone is treated fairly.
Following on from the previous point, there is an assumption amongst people that going direct would mean they are open to the best and exclusive deals. This is true to an extent, however, they will offer the best deal from their own company.
Not every mortgage lender is a bank and there is a large variety of options to choose from. Therefore, the most suitable deal your bank can offer, might not be the best one for you outside that bank.
This is another reason why taking out tailored Mortgage Advice in Durham can be a huge benefit to you. With an expert advisor by your side, they will be able to go through your case and find you the deal amongst our large panel of lenders that is perfect for your circumstance.
On the topic of exclusivity, approaching a Mortgage Broker in Durham can give you access to deals that you can’t find anywhere else. If you are a first time buyer, looking to remortgage in Durham or have a specialist case, there are many options available to you through an expert mortgage broker.
After the 2007-08 credit crunch, the mortgage market needed to change. The 2014 Mortgage Market Review, stated that lenders could not sell mortgages to their customers without regulated advice.
This policy meant you couldn’t just approach a bank to tell them you want a mortgage and be accepted without the important checks. Furthermore, it meant that you couldn’t be granted a mortgage by any member of the bank, which was a regular occurrence, regardless of if they were qualified to do so or not.
Along with these new policies, consumer protection was introduced which was initially not provided to you by the bank. This means that you, as the customer, as the right to complain to the Financial Ombudsman if you feel misadvised in any way. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme is also available to you to make a claim.
Having this in place can assure customers who approach both mortgage brokers and mortgage lenders that they are in safe hands and are receiving professional and regulated advice.
One factor which can be a disadvantage to mortgage lenders but is beneficial to mortgage broker is that it can sometimes take months to try and speak to an individual at a bank. Whereas, getting in touch with a Mortgage Broker in Durham, like ourselves, can provide you with a more quick and responsive service that keeps you updated constantly about your mortgage process.
We are proud to offer a tailored service where a member of our team will contact you at a time that is best for you and your lifestyle. From morning, until late, 7 days a week, our expert Mortgage Advisors are here to help. This can sometimes include bank holidays!
Depending on availability, you may be able to book yourself in and have the appointment on the same day! However, it’s up to you if you want to speak to someone today or in a few days time.
As a part of our tailored service, our advisors have flexible availability. This means you can book yourself in around your 9-5 or around any other commitments. Our quick and simple book online system is great if you are on the move and need to book an appointment.
Responsiveness is an important part of Durhammoneyman. Whatever mortgage process you are going through, our friendly team will keep you in the loop. Your advisor will let you know of any changes that could arise.
The public’s views on mortgage brokers has changed due to Mortgage Brokers in Durham, like ourselves, providing an open and honest service to all customers looking to start their mortgage journey.
Through our time providing Mortgage Advice in Durham, we sometimes speak to customers who have a more complex situation than your average case. Below are just a few common situations we have encountered over the years;
In previous years, mortgage lenders could easily offer you deal that was better than any other lenders. Now, it’s not all about which deal you go with, it’s if you match the criteria or not.
Even if you find a deal that is reasonable, it doesn’t mean you match the criteria for it. In order to determine this, the lender will perform either a hard search (resulting in a footprint on your credit file? or soft search (leaves less of a footprint on your credit file).
One thing that could damage your credit file is being declined for an agreement in principle when applying for a mortgage. On top of that, if you are declined, it’s very unlikely that you will be given a reason for this which can be frustrating.
If you do speak to a Mortgage Broker in Durham like Durhammoneyman, we will be able to go through your case before, so you are prepared and in a position where you have a better chance of being accepted.
Here at Durhammoneyman, we have a large panel of lenders who offer a range of mortgage products. We will be able to match you up with deals and look to get you an agreement in principle. If you get your agreement in principle through Durhammoneyman, it will usually take no more than 24 hours after your free mortgage appointment.
Remember, having an agreement in principle doesn’t always mean you’re guaranteed to be agreed, nor does it guarantee a mortgage in the end, but it does provide safety for your credit file to have an expert go through your file beforehand. As a Mortgage Advisor in Durham, we always aim to get your recommendation right the first time.
At the end of the day, it’s your decision. As mentioned, there many advantages and disadvantages of going with a Mortgage Broker in Durham. On the other hand, there is many pros and cons to going direct as well. It all depends on how quick you want your service to be, and how secure you want to be.
Through our time as a Mortgage Broker in Durham, we have built up a positive reputation and strong relationship with many customers looking to begin their mortgage journey. If you are a first time buyer in Durham, coming to the end of your fixed term, looking to remortgage in Durham, we have done it all!
Here at Durhammoneyman, we offer fast & friendly advice that is FCA regulated. Simply book online or get in touch to book yourself for a free mortgage appointment or remortgage review with one of our brilliant advisors. Our goal is to fulfil your mortgage needs, by providing you with advice, at a time that best suits you, subject to availability.
For more information about our service, check out our fantastic customer reviews. You can have a customer insight on how our service has helped many individuals on their mortgage journey. We also offer free financial education through our YouTube Channel, MoneymanTV.
The mortgage journey can come with its highs and lows, however, the ultimate goal will either involve you settling down in your dream home to start a family perhaps, a step up to get you further up the property ladder or an investment purchase to provide another income source.
Whatever route you may go down, both will eventually come to a point where your mortgage term will end. You might sell up and upsize/downsize into a new property. If you are a landlord, you might want to sell your portfolio to the tenant or another buyer and look at other options. One option that is the most popular is a Remortgage.
It’s best to start by understanding what a remortgage is. This term is the act of paying off a pre-existing mortgage using a new mortgage. There is a range of options when taking out a Remortgage, some being more major than others.
Below is a quick guide that we compiled that includes all the options you could when it comes to taking out a Remortgage utilising the 20 years plus knowledge of our resident “Moneyman” Malcolm Davidson (host of our YouTube channel MoneymanTV).
So, your initial mortgage deal will usually last 2-5 years and include low fixed rates or possibly discounted rates. There might be a possibility that you will be placed on a tracker mortgage which means the interest rate will go off the Bank of Englands’ base rate.
If you aren’t on a tracker mortgage, you will likely be on the lenders Standard Variable Rate when your term ends. Also known as SVR, this is a mortgage with an interest rate that might change depending on how much the lender wants to charge. Unlike tracker mortgage, this will not follow the Bank of England’s base rate.
These can be seen as more expensive routes to take, which is why a lot of people may look at Remortgaging for better rates in order to potentially save money on their monthly repayments.
You might find yourself in a position where you are 2-5 years into occupying your home and feel something isn’t right. It might be that you need an extra room or bigger living space for your kids/belongings. It might be some form of renovation such as getting a kitchen, office or loft conversion. In this situation, many look into releasing their equity with a Remortgage to cover the costs instead of to moving into a larger house.
The option to release equity in order to fund/manage your own projects might seem quite intimidating especially when getting planning permissions, however, it can be seen as more rewarding and less stressful in comparison to finding your new home, selling your current one and moving your belongings.
Furthermore, funding towards home projects that could make the house look a lot more impressive and appealing can be beneficial if you will sell it up or rent it out in the future as the property could increase in value.
In some circumstances, many might look at getting a better mortgage term by reducing the length or switching to a more flexible product which is where they could Remortgage in Durham. The longer your term, the lower the payments will be over time. Therefore, reducing the length does mean you won’t be paying back your mortgage for as long so you aren’t exactly tied down forever, however, your monthly repayment will be a lot higher.
An option that provides benefits that can prove endearing to some homeowners is having a more flexible mortgage when they remortgage. This could give you the chance to overpay which could result in paying your mortgage off as quick as you’d like also being able to pass the same mortgage and rates over to another property, if you decide to move at any point in the future.
Although a flexible mortgage might sound perfect, it likely will come in the form of a tracker mortgage. As mentioned before, this mortgage follows the Bank of England base rate. This means that payments could fluctuate on a monthly basis depending on interest, therefore making them a little unreliable.
Equity is something that is in any property. The way the amount is worked out is through the difference between what is still owed on the mortgage and the current property value.
Like we mentioned before, this equity can be used to fund home improvements, however, there are more options for you out there.
You may equity is used to cover long-term care costs, to supplement their income, to have a holiday, to pay off an interest-only mortgage or to have free spending money.
If you are a landlord looking for a Buy to Let mortgage in Durham, you might remortgage to release equity as a way of covering your deposit for buying a future property for an addition to your portfolio.
For customers who are over the age of 55 and have a property that is worth at least £70,000, it may be worth looking at your options for Equity Release in Durham. Speak to a qualified later life mortgage advisor to learn more about Equity Release & Lifetime Mortgages.
Some people use Equity Release for paying off any unsecured debts that they have accrued over time.
Paying off unsecured debts may sound like a simple solution, Debt Consolidation not only bases both on the amount you’re owed and the value of the property but also on your credit rating. Therefore, it could mean you are limited in the amount you can borrow.
On top of this, you will need to borrow more than your outstanding mortgage amount in order to pay off your previous mortgage and your debts. Because of this, your monthly repayments will potentially be higher. This may not be the best situation to be in, you can be assured in knowing that there are some options out there should you find yourself in an unfortunate situation.
In the case where you have damaged credit, there are still options to choose from, however, these may be difficult and require very Specialist Remortgage Advice in Durham before proceeding. Be aware that this might not be guaranteed.
You should always get mortgage advice before choosing to consolidate and secure any debts against your home.
Getting in touch with an experienced and trusted Mortgage Broker in Durham would be very beneficial if you are reaching the end of your term and are exploring the options when it comes to Remortgaging.
With an advisor by your side, they can provide you with the support you need when looking into your circumstances and future goals so then you have the best route for you ready in the next step of your mortgage journey. We always aim for this process to be smoother and quicker than your first time.
*Please note this information is outdated, and revelant during the start of the Covid pandemic*
At the start of the Covid pandemic, the Government promised that all borrowers would be allowed a three-month mortgage payment holiday if they needed it. Most lenders followed the Government’s guidelines and did their best to help their borrowers during these hard few months.
We feel that it is best to create a summary of what mortgage payment holidays are, what lenders are doing and who can provide you with help and guidance through the coming months.
On that note, we feel like this is a good time to talk about what mortgage holiday payments are and how they can help you with your mortgage payments.
They are quite simple. A mortgage payment holiday is a set-period, agreed upon between you and your lender, bank or building society, where your mortgage payments are deferred. In this situation, the set period should be around three months.
You will still have to pay back these payments. Over the period, you will receive interest which will be added onto your loan at the end of the payment holiday whilst your capital balance will not decrease. So, your overall mortgage loan will slightly increase. So you save money in the short term but in the long term, it may prove expensive.
Once you feel like you are ready to start paying back your monthly mortgage payments, either your monthly mortgage payments will be recalculated at a higher level or your mortgage term could be increased. Lenders prefer to not increase your mortgage term as it could put you past their standard retirement ages.
You may even be allowed to pay off a lump sum later on in the year to get your monthly mortgage payments back on track to how they were prior to your payment holiday.
Mortgage payment holidays are available for borrowers with both residential or Buy to Let Mortgages in Durham. This really helps out landlords as they now have help if rental payments are affected.
Here is the Government’s proposal following the COVID-19 outbreak:
Even if you had a mortgage payment holiday before, we always recommend speaking to your Mortgage Advisor in Durham. They will sort out everything out for you and work out whether you actually need to take a mortgage payment holiday. You can also go directly to your mortgage lender and enquire about taking one but this may not benefit you as you may not even need one. The main thing is not to panic and explore all of your options before rushing into anything.
Here are the steps you need to take if you won’t meet/aren’t meeting your monthly mortgage payments and have been directly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak:
For more useful information on how the coronavirus could affect your mortgage click here.
In most cases yes, they can give a negative effect to your credit score. However, you are taking one because of a virus so lenders shouldn’t let it damage your score.
To ensure that this is the case, before taking out a mortgage payment holiday, you must contact them. You need to record their answer as well as the date, time and the name of the person that you spoke with. This will avoid any confusion down the line if anything changes. It all depends on your lender, there is no guarantee that every lender will say the same thing.
You would’ve thought that everything would continue as normal, however, all lenders are now avoiding all remortgages and product transfers during a mortgage payment holiday.
This will affect borrowers approaching the end of their existing product as they may be forced to move on to a higher lenders variable rate. This could mean that borrowers who act too early and jump into a mortgage payment holiday deal straight away could end up accruing interest on a costly variable rate.
This is another reason why we say don’t rush into anything! Take it slow and evaluate your options with an expert Mortgage Advisor in Durham first, they will make sure that you actually need to take out a payment holiday first before diving in headfirst. There are lots of mortgage options out there so have a look first with your mortgage Broker in Durham.
Some lenders could offer you a temporary switch over to interest-only in order to reduce your monthly payments but not to add any more to the loan amount by still servicing the interest payments each month.
You don’t need to put all of your mortgages onto interest-only, but doing so could help you out financially.
If you have savings, remortgaging onto an offset basis could really help you out, you will be cutting down on monthly payments massively. For example, if you have a £250,000 loan and £50,000 in your savings, you would only pay interest on £200,000.
This may all may seem a bit stressful and it this may have come around faster than expected, however, you should try to take it slow and calm down. As your Mortgage Broker in Durham, we are still here to help and relieve you of all of that stress. Remember, we are still open as usual operating 7 days a week. Receive a free mortgage consultation with a Mortgage Advisor in Durham today, we hope that we can help you out!
A credit score is a tool that lenders use to measure an applicants ability to afford a mortgage. The higher your score, the more likely it is that you’ll be accepted for a mortgage. Which means that if you have a lower score, your chances of being accepted decrease.
Even though having a good credit score may look good on the outside, you must know that each lender has their own individual lending criteria and it’s more than likely that you won’t meet all of them. So sometimes it’s also down to your circumstances and not just your score.
Most lenders’ criteria are completely different from one another, lenders have almost developed their own niche market. You could end up matching to a handful of them or maybe only a couple. As long as you end up securing a great mortgage deal that is all that matter though and it’s your advisor’s job to help you do that.
Whether you go with your bank’s in-house advisor or a Mortgage Broker in Durham, your personal and financial situation will be evaluated and then compared with lenders’ and their mortgage products.
We would always recommend approaching a Mortgage Broker in Durham before going straight to your bank’s in-house advisor and this is because your bank can only offer you their own products. If you choose a broker like us, we are able to access thousands of different mortgage deals through our large panel of lender’s. Once we have your details, we will try our hardest to match you to a lenders’ criteria.
If you are struggling to match a lenders’ criteria, it could be down to numerous different things. The most common reason why people don’t meet lenders’ criteria and get declined for a mortgage is because of their low credit score. If this is the case, then you need to try and improve it.
Having unnecessary credit searches on your file could have a negative effect on your credit score. Lenders’ don’t like seeing that you are repeatedly checking your score, they may think that there is a reason for it and they could even start asking you questions about it during your application process. Even using price comparison websites could damage your score.
On a side note, if you are applying for a mortgage, we strongly recommend that you avoid applying for any form of extra credit in the meantime. Paying back owed credit before your application will look good on your application, however, borrowing/paying back credit during your application will have a reverse effect. If you borrow credit, some lenders’ could think that you cannot afford the deposit and are relying on the credit to help you.
A great way to improve your credit score is to register onto the Electoral Roll, it indicates stability and lenders really like that. It’s really easy to get yourself registered and the fact that it can increase your credit score, you’re missing out if you don’t take the opportunity.
If you are already registered, you should check that all of your information is correct as lenders will easily spot misspellings and an incorrect address.
Maxing out your card each month will negatively impact your credit score. If you are using a credit card, a lender would much rather that you pay off the balance in full each month as it shows that you are good at managing your money. If you are exceeding your credit limits or overdrafts, your lender won’t think that you take your finances seriously. This could massively impact your credit score, especially if you get declined by a lender due to this reason.
When people move home, especially from their parent’s house, people often forget to update all of their address’. When you forget to update your address with a previous credit provider, it can appear that you live in two different properties at the same time. This can hurt your credit score once lenders see this so make sure that you are keeping on top of what address’ are linked with each of your accounts.
Do you have any store/credit cards that are no longer in use? If you do, then you should contact the provider and get them to fully close your account(s). Having these accounts open could be doing your credit score more harm than good. However, this could also still have a negative effect on your credit score as the credit reference can’t really tell if it’s you closing the account or the provider. Don’t worry though, it’s a good thing to check up on as if you have lost a card and didn’t realise then fall victim for fraud, you could end up having a worse effect on your score.
If you are financially linked to a family member or ex-partner your credit score could be affected without you even knowing. However, if the account is still live, you cannot remove your link just yet. If you want to remove any of these links, then you should get in touch with the credit reference agencies and make a request.
More often than not, applicants see credit scoring as an unfair way of determining the success of a mortgage application. For example, you may have a low score due to personal circumstances, which applicants think is unfair. As a Mortgage Broker in Durham, we mostly see that it’s people that are Moving Home in Durham or Self Employed applicants who struggle with their credit score. However, if this isn’t your mortgage situation and you still need help with improving your credit score, you know to get in touch with.
Sending an up-to-date credit report to your expert Mortgage Broker in Durham could prove extremely beneficial to your mortgage journey. A great tool that we always recommend to our customers is checkymyfile.com.
Try it FREE for 30 days, then £14.99 a month – cancel online anytime.
The more your advisor knows about your finances the better. Also, there are still some lenders that prefer to operate the old-fashioned way and will manually assess your application. They will still have rules that they stick by about the number of defaults and CCJ’s that they will allow.
A Mortgage Broker in Durham, like us, likes to do things the new way and will always aim to deliver you the same Fast and Friendly Mortgage Advice service that you are all used to. We hope to hear from you soon.
For first time buyers in Durham, in today’s mortgage market, you’ve got lots of options to choose from. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you figure out which one is right for you.
All mortgages work in a similar way, but they can be a bit different when it comes to things like interest rates, how you pay back the money, and any extra fees. So, finding the most suitable deal isn’t just about picking the one with the lowest interest rate. It’s more about finding the mortgage that fits your situation the best.
To make things clearer, we’ve put together this guide to explain the different types of mortgages you can get in Durham. We’ll explain the difference between repayment and interest-only mortgages – these are the two main types you should know about. After that, we’ll move on to tracker and fixed-rate mortgages, which are both ways to pay back your mortgage.
A repayment mortgage is a type of home loan where you make regular monthly payments that cover both the interest on the loan and a portion of mortgage amount. With each payment, you’re gradually paying off the borrowed money along with the interest that the lender charges.
As time goes on, the balance of your loan decreases because you’re steadily repaying both the interest and the mortgage. This means that over the course of the mortgage term, you’ll eventually pay off the entire loan, assuming you keep up with your monthly repayments.
Repayment mortgages are designed to ensure that by the end of the mortgage term, usually 25 to 30 years, you’ll have fully paid off the loan and own the property outright. Because you’re consistently reducing the principal balance, the interest you owe also decreases over time.
Repayment mortgages provide the benefit of a clear and structured path to full homeownership. With each payment, you’re building equity in your property and working towards owning it outright.
An interest-only mortgage is a type of home loan where your monthly payments cover only the interest charges on the loan, and you’re not required to repay the original amount borrowed during the initial phase of the mortgage. This means that while you’re making payments, the amount you owe doesn’t decrease, and the mortgage balance remains the same.
With an interest-only mortgage, your payments are generally lower than those of a repayment mortgage because you’re not paying off the principal. However, it’s important to note that this type of mortgage typically has a specific term during which you’re allowed to make interest-only payments. After this initial period, you’ll need to start repaying both the principal and the interest, often leading to higher monthly payments.
Interest-only mortgages might appeal to landlords who are looking for lower initial payments or who anticipate a significant increase in their income in the future like with a buy to let mortgage in Durham, which would allow them to start repaying the principal later.
Interest-only mortgages can be complex and come with potential financial risks. It’s crucial to thoroughly understand the terms, risks, and potential consequences before considering this type of mortgage and to have a clear plan for how you’ll eventually repay the principal.
A fixed-rate mortgage is a type of mortgage where the interest rate remains constant, or “fixed,” for a predetermined period. This means that the interest rate you start with when you take out the mortgage will stay the same throughout that set timeframe, regardless of any changes in the Bank of England’s base interest rate.
The fixed-rate period can vary, typically lasting for 2, 3, 5, or even 10 years. Once this period ends, the mortgage usually switches to your lenders standard variable rate, unless you decide to remortgage in Durham beforehand.
The main advantage of a fixed-rate mortgage is stability. Since your interest rate remains constant, your monthly payments won’t change, making it easier to budget and plan for your housing expenses.
A tracker mortgage is a type of variable-rate mortgage that is linked to a specific financial index, typically the Bank of England’s base interest rate. The interest rate on a tracker mortgage “tracks” or mirrors the movements of the chosen index, meaning that when the index rate goes up or down, the interest rate on your mortgage will also adjust accordingly.
For example, if you have a tracker mortgage that is set at “Base Rate + 1%,” and the Bank of England’s base interest rate is 0.5%, your mortgage interest rate would be 1.5% (0.5% + 1%). If the base rate increases to 1%, your mortgage rate would then become 2% (1% + 1%).
Tracker mortgages usually come with certain conditions, such as a “tracker period” during which the interest rate follows the index closely. After this period, the mortgage might switch to a different interest rate structure, like the lender’s standard variable rate (SVR).
One advantage of a tracker mortgage is that it provides transparency and predictability since your rate changes are directly tied to a publicly available index. However, just like any variable-rate mortgage, there’s the potential for your payments to increase if the rate goes up.
An offset mortgage is a type of home loan that allows you to link your mortgage account to your savings and/or current accounts. The balances in these linked accounts are “offset” against the outstanding balance of your mortgage. This means that the amount of money you have in your linked accounts is subtracted from the amount you owe on your mortgage, and you only pay interest on the difference.
For example, if you have a mortgage of £200,000 and you have £20,000 in your linked savings account, you would only be charged interest on £180,000 (£200,000 – £20,000). This can lead to potential interest savings over the life of the mortgage.
Offset mortgages often come with slightly higher interest rates compared to standard mortgages, so it’s important to weigh the potential interest savings against the higher interest rate.
They can be particularly advantageous for individuals with substantial savings or those who receive irregular income, like freelancers or business owners. They provide a way to use your savings to offset the cost of your mortgage while keeping your funds accessible. As with any mortgage type, it’s crucial to carefully read and understand the terms and conditions to ensure it aligns with your financial goals and circumstances.
We do find that many people don’t consider having a second mortgage, having one already stresses them out enough! If you are looking at having more than one mortgage can become a pretty costly option in some cases. Contrary to this, they are an increase in people looking at getting two or more mortgages. Below are some reasons why people may want to invest in more than one mortgage:
In some cases, people who have built up equity in their home may begin looking for a second mortgage and this is due to wanting to release some of their equity to fund another purchase or something else.
If you are in this same circumstance and are thinking about releasing equity for a second mortgage then you are going to need another mortgage deal to transfer onto. Your choices are to either search a deal yourself or contact a mortgage broker in Durham and they will sort it for you.
We have over 38 different lenders on the panel as a mortgage broker in Durham, each with unique mortgage deals. This means we can search through 1000s of different deals until we found a product that is fitting for you and your circumstances. Keep in mind that lenders do not reward loyalty and will and it’s likely they will offer favourable deals to first time buyers in Durham instead of you.
This is known as a Let to Buy mortgage. Some people want to keep their existing property and the mortgage so when they move home, they keep it with the purpose to rent it out. If you are looking to move home in Durham and exploring the Let to Buy option, your second mortgage will become your new residential one.
Our expert mortgage advisors in Durham do find that many first time buyers seek help when starting the mortgage journey for the first time. Our team see many parents and grandparents helping out in this situation. The most common case we see if that either the parents or grandparents of the applicant give up their home and move out to get a second mortgage or they actually purchase the second home for them (kind of like a gifted deposit)
For those interested in a second mortgage for a buy to let in Durham, we do strongly recommend you get in touch with a buy to let mortgage advisor in Durham like ourselves. Here at Durhammoneyman, we have helped many buy to let landlords find mortgage deals that achieve their mortgage goals.
Contact our team to kickstart your process of getting a buy to let second mortgage in Durham.
In the situation where you named on another mortgage and are looking to a buy a new property to live in, we may be able to help. Many people look into this option because they are going through a divorce or separation. We strongly recommend you seek the services of a specialist mortgage advisor in Durham who can help you out in this difficult time.
We are to search through 1000s of second mortgage deals on your behalf and your dedicated mortgage advisor in Durham will work hard in finding the product that is perfect for your situation. Book online or get in touch with your expert mortgage broker in Durham for your free mortgage appointment today.
If your current mortgage deal is coming towards its end then it’s definitely time to start looking at remortgaging.
People who don’t realise that their mortgage deal is coming to an end often end up rolling immediately onto their lender’s standard variable rate which is most likely to be significantly higher than your current rate. This is why you should be keeping up to date with your mortgage and making sure that you know when to start looking for a remortgage deal.
A great way to check o your mortgage would be to speak with a Remortgage Advisor in Durham, like us. Durhammoneyman will assess your financial and personal situation and search through 1000’s of remortgage deals for you until we find the perfect one! Remember, you can still take out another loan to help you pay for your new remortgage deal and it’s payments, it will just be added on top of your monthly payments. Make sure you can afford these extra monthly payments though.
Lenders love it when borrowers stick with them rather than them shopping about for better deals. Shopping around first, rather than staying with your current lender, could open you up to deals that are way better than your current one, so don’t just leave it because it’s “easier”. Also, lenders don’t reward you for loyalty, they will be offering better rates to new customers over you, so have a look around as there are mountains of remortgage deals out there.
You will find that some people don’t want the hassle of searching through lots of different remortgage deals so they just do it themselves online and switch over there and then. This is called an execution-only mortgage, the downside is that you get no consumer protection, whereas you would’ve had you had taken remortgage advice in Durham. We have also seen that people who do everything online can easily go wrong and end up on a much higher rate than what they could’ve got, lenders love this, as harsh as it sounds.
There are lots of different types of mortgages out there, some more popular than others. We have made some “Mortgages Explained” YouTube videos on moneymanTV to help you understand them easier, we hope that they help.
If you feel like your home is owed some upgrades, remortgaging for home improvements could be the way to go. You may want to increase the value of your home or could just simply want to give it a makeover with a loft conversion or an extension. You can increase your mortgage to pay for cosmetic alterations as well as structural work.
If you need to borrow quite a bit of money, your lender has every right to ask you for estimates for the works you intend to have carried out. You don’t necessarily have to use the contractor that provided the estimate to do the actual works.
You can raise capital on your property when you remortgage for pretty much any legal reason. This can be for large consumer purchases, gifts to help family members, to purchase a Buy to Let mortgage in Durham or for debt consolidation.
You will need to know that you will still be paying interest on a remortgage for a long time after you take one out. With this in mind, make sure that you are borrowing for the right reasons and that you will be able to keep on top of these monthly payments throughout the whole mortgage term.
Adding unsecured debt to your mortgage could mean that you’ll have to pay back more interest overall. This is down to the length of a mortgage term usually being longer than the length of a personal loan (this is not the case every time).
Taking unsecured debt on your home will not sit easily with everybody. For example, lenders may look at it that your property is under the risk of possession if you can’t afford your payments in the future.
You will need to know that if you own 0% credit cards, the interest rates that apply to the debts that you are considering transferring onto your mortgage will start gaining interest too.
You will find that remortgaging can become complicated very quickly if you don’t know what you are doing. There are so many different options available to you and it’s hard to see which one will benefit you the most. This is why approaching a Mortgage Advisor in Durham could benefit you the most.
Here at Durhammoneyman, an advisor will work with you and recommend you the best remortgage path to take. They might even suggest that you don’t take a debt consolidation remortgage at all even if you think you should get one. Remember, they will always work with your best interests at heart.
Often, consolidating debts into your mortgage will decrease your monthly outgoings. Some borrowers end up saving hundreds of pounds because of this.
Find out if remortgaging is the best option for you and speak to a Remortgage Advisor in Durham today, we can’t wait to help answer all of your mortgage questions!
Our team has extensive experience in the mortgage industry and we also understand the challenges that can come with getting a mortgage. Before the credit crunch, it used to be easier to get a mortgage with lenders handing out mortgage here and there. The aftermath of the credit crunch resulted in lenders being stricter and offering 100% and even 125% mortgages. Getting a mortgage in 2007 was pretty much impossible but it slowly returned to a better state with the market easing out and changing back to a relaxed state. Lenders turned back to 95% mortgages.
For those who have a family or are living in rented accommodation, it can be a challenge to find their perfect first home. As a mortgage broker in Durham, we do find we get lots of questions about deposits and the amount you will need.
Putting down a deposit that is more than 5% can significantly increase your chance of getting accepted for a mortgage. Having a larger deposit could also lower the of interest that your lender offers you. A deposit shows a lender that you are financially stable and shows that you are trustworthy and shows that you are not a risk. Lender off their products in bands of 5% e.g, 95% mortgages are the most costly, followed on by 90%, 85% etc.
It is possible to do this, however, we don’t recommend it as lenders usually dislike this. From their point of view, they think you can’t afford the full 5% deposit and are in need of financial support. Furthermore, they will categorize this new loan as one of your recurring monthly credit commitments. This will result in you getting a smaller mortgage than you would’ve without the personal, however, you will be borrowing two lots of money equating to the full 100% of the mortgage. These are the reasons why lenders can be put off from this option.
A majority of lenders will accept gifted deposits for a mortgage. If anything, it’s unusual to find a lender that doesn’t accept these. Regarding the gifted deposit is not a loan, then the lender should accept it.
First time buyers in Durham generally get on the property ladder this way and typically receive a gifted deposit from a parent or a friend. This is because they usually understand how difficult it can be to meet that 5% so provide this deposit to help them get on the property ladder.
Part of the application process will involve you showing the lender where your deposit came from and evidence of your monthly/yearly income and outgoings. Lenders need to make sure that you will be able to pay off your mortgage after putting down your deposit. The more deposit you have saved, the more this will help your application. Saving money shows the lender that you are good at managing your money.
In the circumstance where you have put a large amount of cash into your account, you will need to show to the lender who you got this. For instance, if you are selling a car, you will need to show them a receipt, to evidence how much you sold it for and show that this price matches your deposit into your bank.
When it comes to depositing large sums of cash at once, you have to be wary as it could look suspicious on lender’s part. The longer that these sums have been in your account, the simpler the whole process.
The most difficult part of the application can be proving the source of your deposits as sometimes they can be hard to get a hold of.
In terms of selling a property, then your Estate Agent will give you a Memorandum of Sale to use as proof.
Here at Durhammoneyman, we have helped thousands of customers achieve their mortgage goals by utilising our extensive experience and knowledge of the mortgage industry. Whether you are looking to move home or are a first time buyer in Durham wondering where to start in getting a mortgage in Durham, please get in touch and book yourself in for a free mortgage appointment with one of our experts.
In the event that you have a current portfolio, it is conceivable to exchange ownership from your own names to a limited company if that suits your necessities and conditions.
If you choose to exchange your property portfolio with a limited company, you will trigger a deal and repurchase. Doing as such will bring about capital gains tax, stamp duty and the legal, Mortgage and valuation charges.
It is likewise imperative to take note that limited companies do have running expenses and lawful necessities, for example, documenting accounts. In any case, you will pick up the upside of tax-deductible costs, for example, Mortgage broker fees and lender arrangement fees.
This is a very specific territory and if you are thinking about making this move, it’s important that you seek specialist buy to let mortgage advisor in Durham, who will be ready to help you with the arrangement of top quality mortgage advice, backed up by introductions to appropriately experienced accountants and lawyers if needed.
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Durhammoneyman.com & Durhammoneyman are trading styles of UK Moneyman Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
UK Moneyman Limited is Registered in England, No. 6789312 | Registered Address: 10 Consort Court, Hull, HU9 1PU.
Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
We are entered on the Financial Services Register No. 627742 at www.register.fca.org.uk
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Durhammoneyman.com & Durhammoneyman are trading styles of UK Moneyman Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
UK Moneyman Limited is Registered in England, No. 6789312 | Registered Address: 10 Consort Court, Hull, HU9 1PU.
Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
We are entered on the Financial Services Register No. 627742 at www.register.fca.org.uk
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