subject: Thinking Of Buying A Property Then Don't Forget To Consult A Mortgage Advisor [print this page] It is probably true to say that most of us would like to own our own home but the prospect of finding a mortgage can often seem daunting. Some things to consider when buying property include how much deposit you will have to provide and who will lend you the money. There are numerous mortgage lenders in the UK and the range of products available to choose from may appear to be overwhelming to some people. Most mortgage providers offer fixed or discount rates, some also provide specialist mortgages for first time buyers, buy to let investors or buyers who wish to purchase a second home.
A fixed rate mortgage is usually available over two or five years, the advantage of this product is that you know exactly how much your monthly repayment will be for the agreed period, you will not be affected by any changes in the Bank of England Base Rate. The disadvantage of this type of mortgage could be that if the Bank of England Base Rate falls you will not benefit from lower payments.
A Discount Rate mortgage will give you a set discount from the lenders standard rate. So for example, if the lender has agreed a 2% discount and usually charges 4.29%, you will only be paying 2.29% for the agreed period of time. The disadvantage of this type of loan is that you must be prepared for your monthly repayments to rise and fall. A good starting point when buying property and deciding upon a mortgage is to think about how you expect the economy to perform in the next few years.
If you are already a homeowner then you may have access to some equity, this means that the value of your property is higher than the outstanding amount on your mortgage. You can use this money towards the purchase of your new home or if you are considering buying property as an investment you may be able to raise the deposit by releasing this equity. In this situation your current mortgage provider may be willing to provide you with a new loan but it would be wise to get some independent advice and shop around a bit to find the best interest rates and special deals that suit your circumstances.
When buying property as your main home or as an investment, the amount of deposit you can provide will affect the interest rate you can negotiate. Potential buyers with over 25% deposit can often expect to be offered a cheaper loan rate. Many lenders will require at least a 15% deposit, while others will ask for more. However for first time buyers there are a few banks and building societies that will accept a 5% deposit.
Mortgage advisors have access to information from all of the UK banks and building societies, and they can advise you on the lowest interest rates and special offers such as free legal fees, valuations and booking fees. They can also explain all the jargon and terms that are used by mortgage lenders so that you understand exactly what the best deal might be and help ensure that buying property is an uncomplicated process.
