How to Secure the Best Interest Rate on a UK Mortgage

Basic Tips for Mortgage Application

Getting the cheapest mortgage rate in the UK is not easy, it takes planning, no matter if you are getting your first home or you are changing your home or remortgaging it. Nicholas Mendes, a mortgage technical adviser at the broker John Charcol, says the essential action is paying down existing debt. “Limit your debt utilization as much as you can and avoid applying for new credit in the months leading up to your mortgage application,” he advises.

This means that the kind of record that one has in credit is of great importance to the lenders. What you need to ensure is that, when applying for the loan, your credit report does not have any wrong information or any information that is in a way that will deny you the loan. Websites like Checkmyfile. com provides a 30-day trial that lets you view your records from the credit reference agencies (don’t forget to unsubscribe once the trial is over to avoid a £14.99 monthly charge).

Also, it will help your mortgage application if you can save as much as you can. Depending on the size of the amount deposited, the better interest rates that the depositor will be offered. 

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Calculate Your Affordability

While using the online mortgage calculators you would get an idea of how much may you be able to borrow; it is always appropriate to give it a personal touch and try to calculate it yourself as well. Furthermore, David Hollingworth from L&C Mortgages is not an exception; he also stresses the necessity of the budget. “Establish a budget strategy,” is his advice. “Try to have clarity on the quantities that make your revenue, for example, whichever is the basic pay, bonus, or overtime, endeavor to be precise. ”

Virtually just as crucial is your ability to manage habitual costs. “By understanding how proposition is evaluated, the lender will consider your income as well as your expenditure to arrive at the amount you qualify for,” adds Hollingworth.

First-Time Buyers: As there are certain bestselling products, you should take advantage of different special offers there are.

For the first-time buyer, many lenders also provide things such as cash-back rewards, free legal services, and property valuations. And, if at all, some of the lenders are willing to lend money to individuals with small deposits. For instance, Yorkshire Building Society currently has a mortgage deal that encapsulates a deposit of as low as £5000 for 99% of the loan to value (LTV).

Likewise, Skipton’s track record mortgage is up to 100% of the value of the home if one proves rental income consistency. The mortgage payment has to be on par or less than what you currently spend on rent. 

Fixed-Rate vs. Tracker Mortgages: So, which one is right for you?

The two types of mortgages that are always a subject of debate when choosing the right mortgage are the fixed rate and the tracker mortgage. It is suitable to have a fixed rate for the period agreed upon to plan for the amount of money to be set apart each month for the payment of the mortgage. In contrast, tracker mortgages change based on the Bank of England’s base rate, as a way of tracking it.

If you don’t like fluctuating costs or existing with ambiguity around cost, then, as stated by Hollingworth, ‘fixed rate could be ideal. ’ “But there’s always an issue of how long you want to commit to that. ”

At present, five-year fixed-rate mortgages fetch lower interest rates than two-year ones, for instance. For instance, Nationwide Building Society currently has a five-year fix at 3. 83 percent among home movers against 4 percent among nonmovers. Globally, players’ representatives require 15% commission for one-year contracts and 35% for dislocation annual multim annual multiply year contracts.

With base interest rates forecasted to possibly fall, some mortgagors are eyeing shorter fixed-rate deals even as they cost a little more, given the possibility that by the time they are to refinance again, base interest rates will have dropped. Still, it is rather difficult to forecast the interest rates and it is extremely important to select the mortgage one is to follow for several years.

Consider Upfront Costs

Lenders typically offer two types of mortgage deals: one with a low interest rate accompanied by an arrangement fee and the other is charge-free but attracts a higher rate of interest. The choice is dependent on your financial capability.

For other brokers, staying with the basic point, David Hollingworth of L&C Mortgages opines that “compare the overall cost of the deal over the term of the mortgage. ” For that small ST mortgage customers may be willing to pay a high arrangement fee to avoid it in the fee-free option. On the other hand, a lower rate in a larger mortgage might cut your payments to an extent that is worth paying the fee.

Overpayment Options: To prevent extra charges you should:

If you want to be able to overpay on the mortgage, ensure you choose a deal that does not include early repayment penalties. Typically, there are provisions to let the outstanding mortgage amount be prepaid to the tune of 10 percent for a particular financial year. Nonetheless, one must be extremely careful with the terms to prevent being imposed additional costs.

That is what Mendes says: “The 10% overpayment allowance can vary”. “It could be based on the initial amount that was borrowed, the amount at which the mortgage was at the time of making the overpayment, or at the beginning of the year. ”

Why it pays to go to a mortgage broker

Although the net can provide a good starting point for research, engaging the services of a mortgage broker will assist the consumer in sorting through the literally thousands of mortgage products available to the public. Brokers have a large pool from which the different mortgages can be sourced and they shall always recommend the right one for you.

Estate agents may suggest their brokers but always bear in mind that they can in no way compel you to use theirs as it is against the law. Mortgage lenders tend to be out of reach for estate agent brokers most of the time, so one should enquire which mortgage lenders they deal with before deciding on whom to hire. A whole market broker will offer a larger number of propositions.

Also, always need to look at how the broker gains revenues and other related charges. Some bankers earn an explicit commission while others earn it in kind through a fixed fee and others do not earn any at all from the client. 

Get an Agreement in Principle

Getting a lender’s decision in principle before going house hunting will help those agents and sellers build a lot of confidence in you. It does not guarantee a loan offer but will show you how much a particular lender is willing to lend you. However, do not stop reading your options of choosing your mortgage, when you are realistically ready to set out for it.