Costs of Buying a Home in Durham

One of the more often encountered questions that we hear from prospective First Time Buyers in Durham is them curious about how much their mortgage process would cost them.

Responding to this, we have put together a short list of all the fees you can expect to pay when you are looking to buy a new home, and when it will become payable.

Estate Agency Fees

This would apply only if you are planning to sell your home. With an increase in the popularity of online estate agencies, you can be seeing hundreds of standard website listings.

That being said, for a more localised service, you could be looking at a fee of around 1-2% of the property price.

Valuation Fees

Your mortgage lender will need you to have a valuation conducted on the property you are purchasing to make sure that the property is worth the amount you are looking to borrow from them.

Prices for a property survey can cost anywhere from hundreds of pounds, this can depend if you want just a basic valuation, a lot more in-depth Home Buyers’ Report, or a Full Building Survey.

A key thing to remember when to working around the cost is that you always have some element of choice in the level of detail your survey goes into, with your decision by age and property type, as well as any questions.

Mortgage Arrangement Fees

Sometimes you can have a product with a cheaper rate, but the advantage can be outweighed by the payable arrangement fee to a mortgage lender.

This cost doesn’t exist with every mortgage lender, so you may not have to pay for anything at all, but in some cases, it could be upwards of 3 figures, depending on how the mortgage lender is in question.

You can find that these costs can be paid upfront, though you may also be able to add these onto the balance of your mortgage. Noteworthy though, that this would mean incurring further interest charges.

Here at Durhammoneyman, our team of Mortgage Advisors in Durham, has helped many first time buyers and home movers in Durham alike, we can compare deals for you in order to find you the most suitable one for your circumstances.

Solicitor’s Fees

You will have to hire the services of a qualified solicitor. The cost of this service can be quoted very differently depending on the firm you are speaking to. An estimation for a straight forward purchase with a local company is likely within the mid-hundreds.

You will need to give the property address, whether it’s leasehold or freehold and how much you are purchasing it for, in order to receive accurate quotations.

The key points to cover when asking for a quote are:

• Ensure the firm includes VAT.
• Ensure the firm includes the cost of any “disbursements.” These are fees such as Land Registry Fees and Local Authority Search Fees.
• Is your solicitor on your mortgage lenders panel?

Stamp Duty Fees

In addition to the costs and disbursements involved in paying your solicitor, depending on your circumstances, you may also be required to pay this tax which the solicitor collects on completion of the property purchase.

This doesn’t apply to everyone. The government have been known to change the criteria on Stamp Duty, with the latest change being in favour of First Time Buyers in Durham. The latest Stamp Duty updates can be found here.

Mortgage Broker Fees

A Mortgage Broker in Durham will typically charge for their service. The cost of this will vary from company to company.

In our case, your dedicated mortgage advisor in Durham will discuss this in more detail with you during your free initial mortgage appointment.

We would definitely recommend choosing a local company such as ourselves, rather than a big organisation. They are more likely only to charge on completion, as opposed to any application fees and additional costs that could be incurred.

Moving/Removal Fees

Of course if you are Moving Home in Durham, the cost of doing so in regard to the actual moving aspect, can be quite costly. This will depend on the level of service you are looking for.

Hiring your own van and doing the work yourself can be quite cheap. Opting for a local man with a van can be only slightly more than hiring your own van. A professional van service can be in the high hundreds, early thousands.

To further discuss the costs involved in buying a home, including anything we may have missed, book your free mortgage appointment today. A trusted mortgage advisor in Durham will be more than happy to discuss this with you.

Buying a Property With a Partner or Friend in Durham?

Buying a Property with Others in Durham

Stepping into the mortgage world for the first time can be an intimidating but exciting experience for a number of home buyers even more for those looking to purchase a property on their own.

As an alternative, we do find that many First Time Buyers in Durham look at purchasing a property with a friend or partner if they are able to do so.

Lenders will factor in both your income as well as your co-borrowers’ so they can work out your maximum mortgage amount. The benefit of having two applicants is that the mortgage costs will be split between you both which, in turn, can help increase your chance of getting offered.

In the event that you default, your co-borrower could be responsible for the full mortgage, and vice versa.

With the help and expertise of being a First Time Buyer Mortgage Broker in Durham, we have collated a guide of helpful tips we recommend you take into account when into a property with a friend or partner.

How many people can jointly own a property?

Some lenders may allow you to co-borrow with up to four people jointly.

This may seem like a safe option with multiple parties creating more financial security when paying the mortgage, however, the chances of someone pulling out before the term ends can be higher. Because of this, it is wise to be selective with who you buy a property.

If you decide that you want to increase your mortgage further down the line, you and your co-borrowers will all have to agree to this. Therefore, it’s good to plan ahead for your future and your plans for the property.

Joint tenancy or tenancy in common – what’s the difference?

Normally, joint tenancies are utilised by many civil partnerships or married couples. In the case where half of the party dies, the property would instantly be given to the other half. From a legal perspective, joint tenants are two halves of one whole, one borrower.

When it comes to remortgaging or selling the property, both of you will need to agree before proceeding with the mortgage.

For applicants that have co-borrowers that are friends or family, it is likely that you will go for the option of ‘Tenancy in Common’. This means that you both own your part of the property.

You do not need to split your share equally so if one of you is making a lot more income than the other, you will own more of the property than the other.

With this in mind, as a ‘Tenant in Common’, you have the right to act independently. This gives you the option to sell or give away your share if you wish.

Joint mortgages & removing names

What happens if you jointly own a mortgage, but your co-borrower(s) stop meeting the mortgage payments?

A mortgage lender will stress the fact that all borrowers are jointly and severally liable which means that if one of your bo-borrowers decides not to pay their part of the mortgage, it’s your responsibility to keep up the payments.

How do I remove my ex-husband/wife from my mortgage?

The intention of looking to buy a home with your then other half doesn’t come with the assumption that you’re going to split before the term is up. It is a large financial commitment to make anyway and can become complex if you are wanting to make any changes.

This can become even more of a challenge when children are involved. In most cases, the parent who will stay with them usually stays in the current property whilst their ex-partner moves out to look possibly look for their own mortgage. Regardless of if you are staying or going, both parties will need the help of a Mortgage Advisor in Durham for divorce and separation.

Whether the situation is that you pay for the mortgage with the assistance of your ex or you pay the mortgage on your own, it doesn’t alter the joint financial commitment you have with them. Therefore, in the event of arrears, the lender will chase both parties.

Removing anyone from a mortgage means that only you will be in charge of paying and managing the payments. From a lender’s point of view, they will need to be confident that you are able to manage these mortgage payments so will reassess your income to make sure this is achievable before they will proceed.

We do find that applicants who are unable to afford a mortgage on their own will go down the route where they apply jointly again with a friend, family member or new partner. These situations will be best with the assistance of Mortgage Advice in Durham.

How do I remove my name from my ex-partner’s mortgage?

As mentioned, when it comes to divorcing or separating your partner whilst on a mortgage, both parties are still jointly liable for the property and its mortgage payments.

In the circumstance where you are the one to leave and wanted to remove your own name from their mortgage, it’s not as simple as coming to an agreement between the two of you, they would need to get in touch with their lender.

For those looking to get a mortgage on their own, the lender would take into consideration the property you are currently tied to, so it’s key to make sure that you are removed from the previous mortgage.

In these circumstances, you should always seek Mortgage Advice in Durham.

When it comes to the amount they will be willing to lend you, you will find that some lenders will be more generous than other lenders. This is something your designated Mortgage Advisor in Durham will factor in when recommending the most appropriate mortgage lender to apply for a Mortgage Agreement in Principle with.

First Time Buyer Mortgage Advice in Durham

Fixed-Rate Mortgages | Mortgage Advice in Durham

Fixed-rate mortgage advice in Durham

When you enter the mortgage world, you will find that there is not just one mortgage for everyone. They vary depending on different circumstances with some being more complex than others. In this article, we will be looking at just one of the types of mortgage, fixed-rate mortgages. This one has increased in popularity over the years and is seen to be the most common one.

What is a fixed-rate mortgage?

As stated in the name, a fixed-rate mortgage is where you are taking out a fixed-rate mortgage where your interest will be consistent throughout your mortgage term.

The duration of the mortgage term can vary depending on the deal you are on. It also depends on how long you fix your deal.

For example, the lowest-terms usually have the lowest interest rates. Even though this is good, it does mean you will need to renew your mortgage product via a Remortgage in Durham more often.

This is one of the reasons why fixing your mortgage deal over a lengthy period on a fixed-rate mortgage can be more beneficial.

Medium & long term fixed mortgages

It’s all down to whether or you are willing to look for a new fixed-rate deal every two to three years or not. A medium to long-term product is perfect for those who don’t want to frequently search for new deals. Like with many financial commitments, you will need to look at your current and future financial circumstances when deciding the duration you’re going to fix your mortgage for.

One of the popular choices amongst fixed rates is five-year fixed rates with one of the reasons being the security of consistent monthly payments. On the other hand, there are some negatives to this. If the interest rates drop when you are locked in, this will result in paying more than you would’ve been had you taken out a product with a shorter term.

It can be possible for you to fix in your mortgage for an even longer period of time if you feel this is the best option for you. In many cases, the options are limited, but you can find seven to ten-year fixed products. You may find these types of products aren’t usually very popular because you’re committing to a product for a whole decade! Within this time, better rates are usually to come available. Keep in mind that these are usually the most expensive fixed-rate products available to customers.

Fees to consider

Booking and mortgage arrangement fees

Along with interest rates and payments, you will have to factor in mortgage arrangements and booking fees.

It is likely that a booking fee would be charged if you do attend an appointment with a Mortgage Advisor in Durham. Unlike some mortgage brokers, we do not charge a booking fee, we offer all our customers a free mortgage appointment.

You will be charged upon completion, therefore, for those you take out short, fixed-term products, it could result in you accumulating a large number of costs just for sorting your mortgage. Whereas, with a medium fixed-term mortgage, you won’t be required to constantly pay for arrangement fees.

Early repayment charges

Also known as ERC’s, you can receive an Early Repayment Charge when you overpay your mortgage or pay back your mortgage too early.

In some cases, people forget about ERC’s or overpay by accident, while some overpay on purpose. This is just one of the cases where the positives of overpaying can sometimes outweigh the negatives.

When your fixed-mortgage term is coming to an end, you may find that there are much better interest rates already available. This where overpaying and receiving an ERC can be beneficial as you are accessing them better rates. In circumstances where it’s a limited product offer that you have received or a deal that you have found and you want to lock into right away, this is where an ERC can be helpful in the long run.

Normally, ERC’s aren’t too costly. The amount you will be charge is calculated by the remaining amount left on your mortgage. For example, if you have a total of £80,000 left on your mortgage and the ERC is 2%, you’ll receive a £1,600 early repayment fine. Overall, this figure does not seem too bad.

Our advice

Before you fo jump into a deal, as an expert Mortgage Broker in Durham, we do recommend you carry out some research. One thing that is best to avoid doing is going for ‘headline’ deals as these are a way to mislead with their cheap rates but the high arrangement fees!

Seeking Remortgage Advice in Durham can help you secure great fixed-rate mortgage products. As well as this, it can also provide you with further information on ways to save costs on various fees that are a part of getting a mortgage. Contact us to speak to one of our hard-working Mortgage Advisors in Durham.

To learn more about the other mortgage types out there, check out our article on the ‘different types of mortgage in Durham’.

The Pros and Cons of Using a Mortgage Broker in Durham

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.

What are the pros & cons of using a mortgage broker in Durham?

Cost-Effectiveness

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.

Local Bank Branch Relationships

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.

Exclusive Mortgage Products

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.

Changes to Regulation & Consumer Protection

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.

Booking an Appointment with a Mortgage Advisor in Durham

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.

Handling Complex Scenarios

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;

• Mixed Deposit (Savings & Gift) – This means auditing two different sources.
• Applicants, who are on zero hour contracts – Will there be a consistent income?
• Making a Second Purchase – Can they afford to make that additional purchase?
• Self-Employed with No Fixed Income – A common challenge for Self-Employed applicants.
• Poor Credit History – A lender will not look favourably upon an applicant who has mismanaged payments in the past.
• Affordability – Can they afford a mortgage full stop?

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.

In Conclusion; Should I use a Mortgage Broker in Durham?

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.

Help to Buy Mortgage Schemes

Help to Buy Mortgage Advice in Durham

After the unfortunate event that was the 2008 credit crunch, our government opted to create a backup plan, in a bid to try and restart the pulse of the mortgage market. Their focuses were on first time buyers, introducing ways to help them get onto the property ladder, referring to these as government ‘Help to Buy Schemes’.

There are various different Help to Buy Schemes available, some that you might find you are better suited for and others you won’t qualify for. Here is a list of the Help to Buy Schemes available to home buyers and a bonus scheme that might be useful.

Help to Buy Shared Ownership Scheme

The Help to Buy Shared Ownership scheme was introduced as a means of allowing applicants to purchase a percentage of a property and then pay back the remaining amount as rent.

You will usually have to own between 25-75% of the property in question. The remaining percentage will be owned by an outside party, namely the local housing association or council. This share can possibly be increased further down the line, if you happen to find yourself in possession of some more money.

The way that your payments work is that you will be paying back your monthly mortgage payments, but also a monthly rental cost. This basically means you are paying 100% of the ground rent and service charge on your new home. This will still apply, even if your share is the minimum amount.

Help to Buy Armed Forces Scheme

The Armed Forces Help to Buy scheme was introduced in 2014 after the roaring the success of the Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme. This scheme aimed to utilise the same basic concept as the one that came before it, however, this one was focused in on members of the armed forces.

If you do fit into the criteria of the scheme, this is something that could provide a real advantage to you when trying to get onto the property ladder. The government has made this an enduring policy and we have high hopes that it stays around, as the scheme is incredibly helpful to existing armed forces members who are in need of the extra help.

Bonus: Lifetime ISA

The Lifetime ISA is often a scheme that people forget. It’s not everyone’s immediate go-to scheme, however, it’s still useful to have some knowledge of it, as it could be the scheme that helps you secure a property as a first time buyer in Durham.

A Lifetime ISA is more or less a savings account where your money grows, completely free of tax. The government will also provide you with a top-up to your savings with an extra 25%. This means that if you meet the £4,000 maximum amount, you will receive a rather welcomed £1,000 bonus to your savings.

You have to pass specific mortgage criteria in order to gain access to this mortgage scheme. All of these details are readily available on the Lifetime ISA website.

Top 5 Mortgage Hurdles People Experience in Durham

Experienced Mortgage Advisor in Durham

Through our experience as a mortgage advisor in Durham, we have heard of our many clients’ different mortgage hurdles. Although these challenges are not entirely impossible to resolve, it’s vital to know that they can become a major factor in stalling the speed and flow of the process.

 These challenges could include:

• The effects that divorce and separation could have on a mortgage
• Unemployment and getting a new job
• Costs relating to childcare  
• Evidencing a deposit source
• Understanding benefit income

Effect of Divorce and Separation  

Divorce and separation can be hard to deal with and is very unfortunate. When this occurs, many divorced partners are then faced with more than just marriage challenges, with one of these being the joint financial endeavours that were taken out together. 

An option that initially sounded endearing to many married couples, due to the fact it can allow them to achieve their goal quicker, can quickly turn sour in the event of a separation. 

We tend to hear a handful of commonly asked questions from one half of the former happy couple when they get in touch. These include;

• What is the possibility of being excluded from their ex-partner’s mortgage?
• Could they possibly obtain a second mortgage?
• Is there a way to exclude their ex-partner from the mortgage, in order to keep it for themselves?

Considering the affordability of your mortgage payments is paramount. As well as having an expert Durham mortgage advisor, you need to ensure that you are fulfilling necessary income requirements that make the obstacle of divorce and separation easier to overcome.

Effect of Employment Gap and New Job on Mortgage Payments 

In some cases, getting a new job comes with a greater income level than your previous job. However, a gap between going from your previous job to your new job can become a complication with your mortgage, and it’s especially the case for mortgage lenders.

If you are starting a new job, some lenders are always willing to factor in the new job either in the first month or as soon as you are about to start it. Furthermore, you will find periods of probation are acceptable.

Childcare-related Expenses 

When dealing with mortgage-related issues, we have found that the mortgage amount can change depending on if you are a family with children or not. A family with children, for example, will be offered much less compared to a family without children.

This is especially true in cases where the parents have just started back at work and are in the process of managing childcare, which are known for having notoriously high monthly costs. Many mortgage lenders will view these the same way they view other large monthly outgoings such as car payments.

It is best to mention, however, that a number of mortgage lenders operate in a different way. In some cases, lenders dismiss childcare-related expenses as part of the outgoing costs. This is due to the fact they strictly operate based on the data presented by the Office of National Statistics for outgoing costs. This can potentially increase the mortgage amount.

Evidence of Deposit Source 

Anti-Money Laundering laws, put in place in the UK, tend to be quite strict. Because of this, it needs to be known where all funds deposited by the mortgage borrower are coming from. Evidence of the deposit source will be required by your mortgage broker and lender. Sometimes, it may even be required by estate agents and solicitors.

Due to this, the entire mortgage application becomes a lot more complicated. Regardless of the source of deposit (either gift, personal savings, property sale, premium bonds, or personal loans), there must be documents detailing how the funds were obtained.

What to Know About Benefit Income? 

Benefit income can have its challenges too! With the help of an expert mortgage broker, this can be easily tackled. In fact, all forms of benefit incomes can be taken into account from disability benefits to child tax credits, however, this depends on the views of the mortgage lender.

Get in Touch with a Mortgage Advisor in Durham

It doesn’t matter if you are a first time buyer in Durham, looking to move home in Durham, or looking to remortgage in Durham, challenges can come about and cause unnecessary stress. Get in touch with a mortgage broker like ourselves and we will try and help take the stress away. 

Why isn’t it easier to get a Mortgage in Durham? | Mortgage Advice in Durham

Getting a Mortgage in Durham

Durhammoneyman has had more than 20 years of experience in the mortgage business. In this time, our heaps of experience and knowledge through the years have allowed us to help many different and unique customers get through difficult mortgage obstacles.

Therefore, no matter what personal situation you are in, we have probably encountered a similar one before. A few of our services include first-time buyers, remortgage, and self-employed mortgage advice in Durham.

Getting a mortgage can become complex if you are unsure of what you are doing. The reason for this is that there are thousands of different lenders with their own individual lending criteria, and it can be difficult to find the right one.

You’ll find that by instead opting to speak with a mortgage broker in Derby, you’ll be opened up to a wider variety of mortgage options, with criteria that your dedicated advisor will be able to match you up to.

Going to a lender for a Mortgage in Durham

Sometimes, you will find you can pass a lenders credit scoring system easier than you would from another, it all just depends on the lender. There are parts of the market that different lenders love to focus on, specific niche markets.

It’s common to find that the stricter the lending criteria are, the lower the supply rates are. The criteria can be stricter to match than others. Therefore, don’t feel disheartened if you are struggling to find a lender that will accept you.

It can be hard to qualify with lenders who have strict criteria. When a competitive deal has been offered to you, it will always have a tight margin. This is due to the fact that the lender needs to know the customer will be able to afford the mortgage and lenders want to make a profit off this and not lose money.

Lenders with Low Rates

When it comes to high street lenders offering the cheapest rates, you will find they will always increase their earnings from their borrowers. As soon as a mortgage has been accepted, they will gain more profit by selling you more of their products. Some of the products include bank accounts, unsecured loans, credit cards, and Insurance.

A common occurrence that you may find with mortgages, is the lowest rate of interest often comes with expensive set-up costs. This is why people often stay away from these products. When a lender grants you a mortgage, the main thought they have will be about their profit.

On the contrary, a Mortgage Broker in Durham will always have your best interest. Our knowledgeable and caring team knows all the secrets to save both your time and your money. We will work hard to find the best deal available that fits your circumstances.

Difficulties When Looking to Remortgage in Durham

In some cases, not everyone can just remortgage somewhere else and this is due to many reasons:

• Breakup with a partner
• Your household income may be less than it was at the start of the application
• Since taking out a mortgage, the applicant has had a default or CCJ
• There has been an decrease in value of the home since it was bought

Lending Criteria and the Economy

Matching lenders’ criteria, depending on the current performance of the economy, can affect how easy or hard it is to get accepted a mortgage. If the economy is suffering, lenders will tighten the margins and vice versa when the economy is doing well. Depending on when you are applying, it can sometimes be hard to obtain a mortgage, yet previously, mid-2000’s, it was too easy. This was prior to the credit crunch where lenders were granting ridiculous mortgages to people who couldn’t afford one at all.

As well as matching the lender’s criteria, the current state of the economy is another factor that can affect your chances of being accepted for a mortgage. If the state of the economy isn’t doing well, lenders will tighten the margin and vice versa when the economy is performing well.

There are times when obtaining a mortgage can be difficult. It just depends on when you have applied for it, whereas, in the mid-2000s, it was too easy. Before the credit crunch, lenders were granting ridiculous mortgages to people who couldn’t afford one at all.

Lenders took a completely different view and tightened their criteria after the credit crunch. The requirements included a 25% deposit which meant getting on the property ladder was unattainable. This tempted customers into renting due to the brisk increase in interest rates.

Mortgage Broker in Durham

We have become knowledgeable about what lenders are looking for in mortgage applicants through our valuable experience. Credit scoring is something many high street lenders now do to try and save time and money. Furthermore, this method gives the lender confidence in their ability to lend. 

Speaking to a Mortgage Broker might be the best option if you are struggling to match the lender’s criteria. As a Mortgage Broker in Durham, we can provide you with options that we know will increase your chances of your mortgage application being successful.

With a range of simple ways to achieve this, giving us a call could bring up a step closer to securing a mortgage deal. Get in touch and speak to an experienced Mortgage Advisor in Durham and potentially start your journey on the property ladder. 

Lending Criteria Mortgage Advice in Durham

The Credit Crunch Explained

Mortgage Advice in Durham

In order to understand what happened with the 2007/08 “Credit Crunch”, we need to take a look back on the years that lead up to it. If a First-Time Buyer in Durham took out a mortgage to buy a home back in the 1970s and ’80s, it’s very likely that this process was undertaken through a building society. It may be hard to believe, but your high street bank did not always offer their customers mortgages!

To find out whether you qualified for a mortgage or not, you’d have made an appointment with the building society manager and spoke with them. Customers would be encouraged to take out savings accounts with the building society and then the building society would use those people’s savings to lend to their other customers. Interest-rates would also be higher to borrowers than the rate they were paying to savers, in order for them to turn a profit.

Once the banks started to get involved with mortgage lending, they moved away from that older model. Instead, they opted to “buy” the money from markets, in order to accelerate the rate in which they could lend money to their customers.

Mortgages in The Noughties

If we move ahead of time and into the mid-2000s, there were plenty of new specialist lenders working within the mortgage market. Most of these originated from North America. Their way of handling business was to sell their book of mortgage customers, allowing them to raise new funds and continue the cycle of lending.

This method of practice was labelled Securitisation. The investors that bought these books were larger financial institutions such as pension funds and other High Street Banks.

The market was booming and these mortgage lenders were making a great deal of money. The newer lenders seized an opportunity by introducing more relaxed lending criteria. Poor credit history? Don’t worry about it. Wanting to self-certify? Go for it! These sorts of things were no issue for their businesses, or so they thought at the time…

Apparent Problems in the Market

As anyone with an inkling of common sense might have anticipated, these mortgages began to default. Major banks lost their confidence in each other, due to the uncertainty of how exposed they were in the very quickly falling apart subprime mortgage market.

In very quick fashion, the once sustainable banks’ share prices had completely dropped. A select few were bailed out by the UK Government (or more accurately, the taxpayer) in order to stop them going under altogether, whilst many failed to stay afloat.

Over the course of “The Great Recession”, a total of almost 80 different banks, building societies and lenders around the world, across 20 different countries, filed for bankruptcy or were acquired.

Because of this utter economic disaster, lending quickly dried up. Property prices dropped by a large amount and everyone lost confidence in the UK economy. It took almost a decade for the market to safely get back to a point where it could function sustainably once again.

Economic Recovery

Nobody wanted this to happen again, especially the UK Government, so investigations took place that aimed to look into what exactly happened and where it all went wrong. These studies led to the carefully thought out “Mortgage Market Review of 2014” that led the charge forward.

Self-cert mortgages had already been completely banned by then, but the biggest change to come out of this was that lenders themselves were now solely responsible for ensuring that the customer could in fact afford their mortgage payments.

The lenders were now responsible for digging deeper into customers incomes and outgoings with more precise lending criteria. They were paying more attention to credit commitments, childcare and other outgoings, so they could ensure customers were definitely able to afford their mortgage repayments on a consistent basis.

We have no doubts that it has now become a lot harder to get a mortgage than it was back in the day, though this is absolutely for the betterment of the industry, the economy and homeowners nationwide. Customers need to be a lot more organised with paperwork in order to prove their finances and be taken seriously by lenders and home sellers alike.

So many mistakes were made in the period running up to the Credit Crunch, but we hope that the industry learned a lesson this time and has lowered its chances of ever falling into a rut like this again.

Fast & Friendly Mortgage Broker in Durham

What is a 95% Mortgage?

A 95% mortgage is as simple as the name would suggest; you are borrowing against 95% of the price of a property, and then you are covering the remaining 5% with your deposit. An example of this is if you looked at buying a property that was worth £150,000 with a 95% mortgage, you would be putting down £7,500 as your deposit and borrow the remaining £142,500 from the lender. 

95% Mortgage Advice in Durham

Off the back of the March 2021 Budget, Boris Johnson announced a Mortgage Guarantee Scheme for mortgage lenders, making 95% mortgages more readily available from the bigger high street banks.   

This is fantastic news for First-Time Buyers and Home Movers alike, as this scheme will continue running until December 2022. Certain terms and conditions will apply though, which is something your Mortgage Advisor in Durham will be able to look at, to see if you qualify.    

All our customers who opt to Get in Touch will receive a free, no-obligation mortgage consultation where one of our dedicated mortgage advisors will be able to make a recommendation on the best possible route for you to take.

Can I get a 95% mortgage?

95% mortgages are usually accessible by both First-Time Buyers in Durham & those who are Moving Home in Durham. Whilst saving for a 5% deposit sounds like a pretty straightforward concept, you’ll still need to have an acceptable credit score and prove that you are able to afford your monthly mortgage repayments, in order to access a 95% mortgage.

Improving your credit score

A good credit score is essential in the process of obtaining any mortgage, especially a 95% mortgage. Things like paying any current credit commitments on time, ensuring your addresses are updated and checking that you’re on the voters roll, can all help with your credit score.

Affordability 

Affordability is another one that is important to take note of. By giving the lender details of your income and monthly outgoings (things like your bank statements will be necessary for this) and any pre-existing credit commitments, your lender will be able to get a general overview of whether or not you are able to afford this type of mortgage.

Can my family help me get a 95% mortgage?

Nowadays we see lots of family members helping each other get onto the property ladder, especially parents looking to further their children’s lives. The way this usually happens is by gifting the person looking to find their home, the deposit required. Known through the industry as the “Bank of Mum & Dad, Gifted Deposits are only intended to be a gift, and not as a loan. The lender will need proof that this has been agreed, before it can be used towards your mortgage. 

How do I choose the right 95% mortgage?

When looking for a 95% mortgage, you want to make sure you have the right type of mortgage. Each mortgage type works differently, with that choice allowing you to find one that is most appropriate for your personal and financial situation. 

Some homeowners and home buyers prefer Fixed Rate or Tracker Mortgages, mortgage types which mean you either keep interest rates at a set amount for the term given or have your interest rates tracking the Bank of England base rates.

Alternatively, you might find that Interest-Only or a Repayment Mortgages are more your style. Interest-Only allows cheaper payments until you need to pay a lump sum at the end (mostly now used for Buy-to-Lets), whereas a Repayment mortgage (a normal mortgage if you’d like) means you’ll be paying interest and capital combined per month.

How can a bigger deposit help with my mortgage? 

Seeing as a mortgage is such a large financial outgoing, you need to be prepared and need to be aware. You might find things like higher interest rates, remortgaging difficulties due to less equity and then negative equity all cropping up if you’re not. 

There is no need to worry though, as all these can be avoided if you’re savvy enough with your process to begin with. The more deposit you put down for a property, the less risk the lender will see you as. 

A larger deposit, of say 10-15%, would not only reduce the rates of interest by a noticeable amount, but would also give the property more equity and reduce the risk of negative equity, thanks in part to you borrowing less against the property. 

So, whilst the risks may seem intimidating, planning ahead and saving for a bigger deposit to access something like a 90% or even an 85% mortgage will be a massive help in your mortgage journey and something you’ll be able to reap the rewards from in the future. 

Mortgage Payment Holidays | Mortgage Advice in Durham

Mortgage Payment Holiday

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.

What is a Mortgage Payment Holiday?

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.

The Government’s Proposal

Here is the Government’s proposal following the COVID-19 outbreak:

• Mortgage lenders will offer an automatic three-month mortgage payments holiday for borrowers who have been impacted directly or indirectly by COVID-19
• The mortgage payment holiday will apply to customers who are up to date on their payments, not in arrears, and wanting to self-certify that they are impacted by COVID-19
• This means that lenders will not complete an income and expenditure assessment, or an assessment of alternate payment options as ordinarily required under MCOB
• This proposal will allow lenders to be more responsive to customer needs and offer forbearance in a simple way to customers in an environment where the operation of collections teams made be also impacted by COVID-19
• Customers will be made aware that interest will accrue in the holiday period and they will need to make up deferred payments in the future
• Customers who wish to undertake a full assessment of their ability to pay or financial difficulty may still do so.

How do I apply for a Mortgage Payment Holiday

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:

• The customer would contact the lender and inform them that they are being impacted
  by COVID-19
• The lender would accept these details from the customer and offer an automatic
  three-month mortgage payment holiday
• No evidence is needed for the lender
• The lender makes the customer aware that interest will accrue and will be contacted at the end of the three months to complete an assessment of the customer’s circumstances
• At the end of three months, an arrangement to pay will be agreed with the customer according to their circumstances to recover any shortfall, also ensuring that the mortgage remains affordable and sustainable
• The lender notifies the customer that if they wished to complete a full assessment now, there may be other forbearance options more suitable to the customer.

For more useful information on how the coronavirus could affect your mortgage click here.

Will a Mortgage Payment Holiday impact my Credit Score?

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.

Will I still be able to Remortgage or take a Product Transfer with my lender?

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.

What are my other options?

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!

Mortgage Advice in Durham