GETTING on to the property ladder can feel like an impossible task, especially when you’re a first time buyer.
Now that the cost of living crisis has affected mortgage rates, this impossible task has become an even harder mountain to climb.
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Interest rates are climbing for the 2 million households with variable or tracker mortgages, meaning they’re linked to the Bank of England’s base rate.
The Bank of England usually increases interest rates to lower inflation.
Money saving expert Martin Lewis has described the increasing rates as a “ticking time bomb”.
During this difficult time we’ve asked the experts and put together this guide on exactly how to apply for a mortgage and some tips on how you can boost your chances for getting accepted.
What is a mortgage?
A mortgage is a loan that you can use to help you buy a property. On average, a mortgage lasts for 25 years but can last between six months to 40 years. To pay off your mortgage, you’ll make monthly payments. Be aware, a mortgage is secured against your property so if you fail to pay it, you may lose your home.
What do I need to apply for a mortgage?
A mortgage is essentially a loan used to buy a house, so you’ll need to apply for one from a bank or another lender.
You’ll need to apply for a mortgage once you’ve found the house you want to buy. That way you will know how much you need to borrow.
You’ll need to save a deposit before you can get a mortgage – which the average for first time buyers is now depressingly £50,000.
But it’s not impossible to raise the funds without the bank of mum and dad, like Ethan Bragginton from London who managed to buy a £135,000 house by the time he was 19.
Lenders will also look at your credit score before they decide to lend to you, so it’s important that you’ve got a good score before you apply.
You may also need to provide documents like utility bills, proof of benefits, your last three month’s payslips, passports and bank statements.
How long does a mortgage application take?
Usually a mortgage application takes two to six weeks to be approved. This can be affected by a few factors including the lender you apply with, what information they’ve asked you for, and how complex your situation is.
The process can be accelerated if you use a mortgage broker who will be able to find you the best deals.
Usually the application process happens in these steps:
- Finding a deal you want
- Speak to an advisor to get a mortgage in principle
- Complete the application
- Wait for your estate agents valuation
- Your solicitor authorises the completion of the mortgage on the property
What mortgage can I afford?
Your financial circumstances will determine whether you can or can’t afford a mortgage. This includes your earnings, how much you spend a month and the deposit you have put down on the property you’re purchasing.
Luckily, many online calculators are available to help you estimate what mortgage you can afford such as MoneySuperMarket’s.
Most people get advice from a mortgage broker. These are essentially a qualified middleman who has a duty of care to recommend a suitable mortgage for you.
If you do choose to use one, you may be able to get better deals than ones offered directly by the lender, and if your mortgage turned out to be unaffordable then you can complain and be compensated.
But their services do come at a cost and you’ll be required to pay a fee of around £500, and sometimes there’s the agent’s commission on top to think about too.
What can I do to boost the chances of getting accepted?
Seven tips to help you increase the chance of getting a mortgage include:
- Save a larger deposit. The bigger your deposit the better. This will mean more mortgage deals are going to be available.
- Credit rating. Every mortgage lender will assess your credit rating by using an agency such as Experian or Equifax to look into your financial history. Remember, this is affected by your payment history, credit usage, credit history length and credit mix so it’s essential to ensure you have a good rating.
- Pay off any unsecured debts. If you have huge monthly payments then it’s definitely worth paying these off before applying for a mortgage, allowing more income towards your monthly mortgage payments.
- Don’t apply for any new credit. Your lender will be aware of this new payment and may wonder if you’re over stretching your finances.
- Make sure you’re on the electoral register. Ensure you’re registered at your current address. The electoral register can be checked y lenders for proof of residency.
- Ensure you have no financial links to your ex-partner. This can affect your credit rating. The link could be a joint bank account, credit card or loan account.
- Make sure you can prove your income. You need to do this by including your payslip, bank statement and account if you’re self employed or running a business.
Are there any other costs when applying for a mortgage?
Yes! The fees include,
Costs before completion:
- Mortgage arrangement (product) fee. £0-£2,500. This can be paid upfront or added to your mortgage but you’ll pay interest on it.
- Mortgage booking fee. £100-£200.
- Valuation fee. The average price is £300.
- Cost of a survey. £400-£1,500 depending on the survey. This is paid when the survey is commissioned.
- Broker fee. £0-£500. This fee can be reduced if your broker is receiving a commission to make sure to inquire about it. Some brokers are free!
- Stamp duty. The price is affected by the properties price and if you’re a first time buyer.
- Conveyancing fee. £800-£1,500. Usually you’ll pay this, however, some lenders will pay it for you.
- Land Registry fee. Up to £500 online. This is affected by the properties price.
Costs after completion:
- Removal costs. Unless all your belongings can fit inside your car, then it’s highly likely you’ll want to hire a removal van which can cost between £100-£1000.
- Service charges, ground rent and upkeep. If you buy a leasehold property (meaning you don’t own the land) you’ll probably pay a service charge for the conservation of the property and shared areas as well as ground rent to the freeholder.
- Furniture. If you don’t have any furniture time to buy some or you’ll be living in an empty property!
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