5 Essential Tips for First-Time Mortgage Buyers

When you apply for a mortgage, the lender will consider all aspects of your circumstances before approving or rejecting your application.

Some factors you cannot change but others could improve your position. Here are five tips for first time buyers.

Control your outgoings

Before you apply try to cut down on as many debts as possible and minimise outgoings like magazine subscriptions, mobile phone contracts and tv services. Outstanding credit cards and loans should be paid off in full, if possible.

Increase your deposit

The larger your deposit the lower amount you need to borrow and the less risk you will pose to the mortgage lender. By reducing your loan to value ratio you may also secure a lower mortgage interest rate.

Know your credit score

Your credit score improves if you consistently pay back on time and will reduce if you miss or default on payments. Lenders will check with the credit reference agencies when assessing your application. A poor credit score may lead to your application being declined. In this event you will have to spend time improving your credit file before applying for a mortgage in the future.

Find a broker with Best Mortgage Services

Mortgage brokers know their stuff and will ask the relevant questions and study your documents before submitting the application. The usual documents required are 3 months payslips, 3 months bank statements, proof of identity and proof of address.

Register on the Electoral Roll

Register on the electoral roll and make sure any bills you have are registered to your current address. Registering on the electoral roll may also improve your credit score. It is important that the information on the mortgage application matches when the lender searches the electoral roll and your credit file.

Get in touch with a local Broker

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Essential Questions for Your Mortgage Adviser

Questions to ask your Mortgage Adviser? Taking out a mortgage is likely to be the biggest debt you will have in your lifetime. Choosing a mortgage is not a decision to be taken lightly.

To get in touch with a mortgage adviser in your area please contact us.

Get in touch with a mortgage professional

Questions to ask your Mortgage Adviser

  1.  How do you charge your clients? Get this clear from the outset. Some mortgage advisers charge a fee upfront or on completion, others are paid commission from the lenders. Some mortgage advisers charge a combination of a fee and commission.
  2.  Are you independent and able to cover the entire mortgage market?  Our mortgage brokers all cover the whole of the market.
  3. How long will the mortgage process take? This will vary from person to person and your adviser should be able to give a rough estimate. Other factors have an impact here for example if you are waiting to sell your own house to release deposit funds.
  4. What deposit should I have? Your mortgage broker will be able to provide quotations based on various levels of deposit. Generally the higher deposit you put down then a lower interest rate can be obtained.
  5. What qualifications do you have? All our mortgage brokers are CeMap certified. CeMap is the certificate of mortgage advice and practise.
  6. Can you give me a breakdown of all the mortgage costs? Make sure your mortgage adviser gives you a breakdown of all the costs and fees. The last thing you want is unexpected fees further down the line.
  7. Can you provide advice on other areas of finance and insurance? Many mortgage brokers will be able to offer guidance on home insurance, life insurance, income protection and pension planning.
  8. Will you review my mortgage in the future? Building a relationship with your mortgage broker is beneficial as they will monitor your mortgage payments and advise when savings can be made. This will save thousands over the lifetime of the mortgage.

Get in touch with a Mortgage Advisor