Many people like the idea of creating a property portfolio to fund their retirement. Not everybody is a fan of pension plans, but they do understand the property, I know that over the past 20 or 30 years it has been a sound long term investment despite the peaks and troughs.
In this case study, we look at one way we helped a client take her first step on the road to being a Landlord.
Robin is a self-employed mum of two, who is a Director of two small businesses in Doncaster. She and her partner had a substantial amount of equity in their home and were interested in raising some capital to buy a low value buy to let property, possibly at auction. Robin felt she could get some bargains at auctions, but she never had enough money to attend and be a cash buyer.
She hadn’t looked into Remotgage Advice in Doncaster prior to remortgage her house, therefore, she was informed that it wasn’t possible unless they could provide an address for the onward property they wanted to purchase – the proverbial “chicken and egg” scenario.
Robin also mentioned that once or twice a year, she received a dividend in the region of £3000 from one of the companies she was a sleeping partner in, and she has been prone to wasting some of that cash when it arrived, perhaps unexpectedly.
I could tell that Robin was a very busy person but also an astute businesswoman. The dividends she received could be put to better use as she never had it earmarked for anything specific. I recommended an offset Remortgage in Doncaster for Robin and her partner secured on their home.
I found a Lender who was happy to release funds on completion to be assigned to a future buy to let purchase without insisting on a specific property. Robin simply deposited the additional funds into the offset savings account that comes as part of the mortgage, and these monies simply sit there until she needs them.
The offset savings accounts do not attract interest but instead is offset against the mortgage balance. To clarify, Robin had £85,000 surplus funds from a total remortgage of £215,000. While the money is in the savings account, Robin only pays mortgage interest on the £130,000 difference between the two figures. The £85,000 is on instant access and was available whenever she needed it
Three months after completion, Robin identified a suitable property that was in a state of disrepair. It was probably not mortgageable itself, but of course, Robin had access to liquid funds to buy the house outright.
Robin secured the property at a knock-down price of £55,000, but this amount needed to rise to a total of £70,000 to fund legal costs and a refurbishment program of works.
A further nine months went by, and with the works all done, Robin had no trouble finding a tenant. The house was now worth £90,000, and we raised a remortgage of £67,500 against it to fund the purchase of property number two.
Robin has no intention of becoming a full-time Landlord, but she can now see a way forward to owning three or maybe even four properties in the future to fund her planned retirement lifestyle.
She loves the flexibility that her offset mortgage brings, and while she still ‘squander’ some of her dividend, which is her right to do. Without fail, half of it at least is deposited back into her offset savings account, her money working “for her” to reduce the total amount of interest repayable.
If you are interested in offset mortgages or a Buy to Let Mortgage in Doncaster to help build up your investment property portfolio, book your free mortgage appointment today, and our Mortgage Advisors in Doncaster will be happy to assist you.
Whether you’re a first time buyer or are moving home in Doncaster, buying a property can be stressful and overwhelming. It shouldn’t be this way though, you should be able to enjoy the whole experience.
It would be extremely beneficial if you could prepare yourself during the lead-up to your home buying journey. You should start by asking questions about the property and where it is located.
New build properties tend to be more popular and in higher demand. If you come across a new build that you’re interested in, take a property viewing before you go any further.
You need to find out how many people have been interested in the property; you have to ask the question, or it may show you online. If there’s been no interest in the property, there may be a reason for it, e.g. it could be overpriced or there’s something wrong with it.
A property chain is where you are waiting for your seller’s purchase to go through before you can move in. This can go on and on; your seller’s seller could always be in the same situation as you. If you aren’t in a chain, you may be able to move through your process quickly.
It can sometimes be hard to find out if there is a property chain, however, it’s always worth asking the question as the seller may tell you.
If you are a first time buyer in Doncaster, you will not be part of a chain as you are not selling a property, only buying.
Some homes may come with ‘extras’ or incentives to persuade you to buy the house. This could be something like them asking what appliances you would like in your kitchen.
Older homes may come with unwanted appliances owned by the seller. It’s wise to check with the owner what these appliances are and whether they are included in the sale or offered at an additional price.
It’s wise to clarify as you may be left with unwanted items that you then need to remove and dispose of.
Try to speak with the neighbours and get a feel for how they are and their opinion on the area.
On new building developments, this may be a little more difficult.
You will want to find out about the running costs that are involved with the property too. What are the costs for gas, heating, electricity, water (particularly if it’s a newer home with a water meter). Also, things like Council Tax charges.
When viewing the property, get a good look at the garden, make sure that it’s what you’re looking for. Everyone enjoys spending time in the garden, even if it is mostly in summer!
Ask whether the garden is southern-facing and check how well natural light enters the garden etc.
During your property survey, damages and repairs should be highlighted, however, it depends on which survey you took out. Ask lots of questions, particularly with older properties, as you want to make sure that you aren’t buying a property that’s going to need lots of repairs.
As with any property purchase, in the future, you may need to make improvements to energy efficiency, insulation, garden work etc.
Whenever you get the chance to, ask lots of questions before you buy a home. You want to learn everything about the property you could spend your whole life in!
Estate agents and the seller should be happy to answer your questions, and if they are, maybe it could be a warning sign if they are withholding information. If you do find out information about the property that could reduce its overall price, don’t be afraid to negotiate. Don’t be too keen and offer to high to start with and remember to take into consideration other factors such as when you would be able to move in and that fits your expectations.
You never know what to expect from the mortgage process. Sometimes it can be unpredictable and stressful, however, in other situations, it can be simple and easy-going. Taking out a mortgage is a huge financial commitment, for example, you’ll need to keep on top of your payments and know when your fixed-term is ending.
Fixed mortgage term lengths will vary depending on the product that you take out. Usually, mortgages will come in 2-year, 3-year or 5-year fixed terms. In some cases, depending on the individual’s circumstances, it may be better to take out a product with an even longer fixed term, such as 7 or 10 years. When you come to the end of your fixed term, you will need to take out a new deal, as your current one has ended, this is when it’s time to remortgage.
In some cases, you may be able to remortgage early, although, in doing so, you may have to pay a large fee (early repayment charge) for switching early.
A Remortgage is taking out another mortgage product to replace your current one. This can also be known as a product transfer, however, the main difference is that a remortgage involves taking out a different lender’s product and a product transfer is where you take out a new product with the same lender.
It sounds simple when you put it like that. On the other hand, when it comes to remortgaging/transferring products, there are lots of different deals and rates available, meaning that you may need to do a lot of looking around so that you can find the right deal for you.
People may also want to remortgage for different reasons; you can remortgage to find a better rate, improve your home, consolidate debts and many more reasons.
Typically, an average fixed mortgage term lasts between 2 and 5 years. During this time, you will be paying off some capital as well as interest, therefore, when it comes to your remortgage 2-5 years later, you could find yourself in a lower loan-to-value bracket which could allow you to access better rates.
This is why people choose to remortgage, because if they don’t, they may risk falling onto their lender’s standard variable rate of interest (SVR), which could be much higher than your current one.
If they remortgage before this happens and manage to find a better rate due to fitting into a better loan-to-value bracket, they may end up saving money each month.
If you’re on a tracker mortgage, you will find that your monthly payments and your interest rate are dependant on the Bank of England’s base rate. Their base rate will change with the economy’s performance, for example, if the economy is bad, base rates may lower, and vice versa.
Lenders will also add an extra percentage onto this base rate so that you’re usually tracking a rate between 2-4%. Tracker mortgages will work similarly to your lender’s SVR mortgages.
If you feel like your current home could do with some improvements, such as a new extension or conversion, through the power of remortgaging, there’s a possibility that you could get this work done.
Firstly, you’ll have to get an estimation of the costs of the improvements. Once you get an idea of how much it’s going to cost, you could be able to incorporate these costs into your mortgage upon taking out a new product. Although your overall monthly payments may slightly increase, out of it, you’ll get a brand new kitchen extension, loft conversion, etc.
Rather than going through the process of moving home in Doncaster and having to sell and buy a property at the same time, it can prove easier to improve your current home.
If you are a growing family, want to add value to your home or just want to give your home a fresh look, we would recommend looking into remortgaging for home improvements.
In some cases, an applicant may want to extend or shorten their whole term to try and switch to a more flexible product.
If you shorten your term, it will mean that you pay off your mortgage a lot quicker. However, a shorter term can also mean higher repayments. Extending your term can reduce your payments but also mean that you’ll be paying off your mortgage for longer.
At the point of remortgage, this is where you can decide whether you want to extend your term or not. If you choose to shorten your term, you may also be given the option to overpay, which can help you pay off your mortgage quicker.
Even though a flexible mortgage product sounds like a great idea, they usually come in the form of a tracker mortgage. A tracker mortgage tracks the Bank of England’s base rate of interest, and this interest rate can change depending on how the economy is performing. This means that your payments each month could change, as when the interest rates change, it can affect your payments.
The longer that you’ve owned a property, the more equity you’re likely to have in it. Equity is the difference between what is still owed on the mortgage and the current value of the property. In some cases, you’ll be able to remortgage and release some of this equity to turn it into a lump sum of cash.
You can spend this cash however you want to. You could put down another deposit on another home, buy a new car or even pay for a wedding with it – it’s your money!
As a Mortgage Broker in Doncaster, we often see that Buy to Let landlords release equity in order to put down a deposit onto another property to expand their portfolio.
If you are over the age of 55 and your property is worth at least £70,000, it may be worth looking at your options for Equity Release in Doncaster. Speak to a trusted later life mortgage advisor to learn more about Equity Release & Lifetime Mortgages.
If you’ve built up some unsecured debt and want to incorporate it into your mortgage, in some cases, this can be made possible. It is recommended that you speak with an expert Mortgage Advisor in Doncaster, as debt consolidation is a complex and tricky subject.
It can get complicated as debt consolidation is not only based on how much you owe and your property value, your credit rating also matters.
You also have to consider that you’re trying to incorporate large sums into your mortgage, therefore, your total mortgage amount will increase. This will also increase your monthly mortgage payments.
If you have bad credit, and you need help from a mortgage expert, don’t hesitate to contact us. We have debt consolidation experts at Doncastermoneyman that will be happy to help you with your needs.
If you are coming towards the end of your fixed mortgage term, it may be time to start your remortgage journey. We would advise that if you are within 6 months of your deal ending, it may be time to start looking around for deals. If you aren’t quite ready for that stage yet, we can take that stress away and do it for you!
Book your own free remortgage appointment online today. We have advisors who are experts in giving Remortgage Advice in Doncaster, and they are available 7 days a week. It’s our job to help you through your process and try and find you a perfect deal that matches your personal and financial situation.
No matter the mortgage route that you end up taking, you could be a first time buyer in Doncaster, home mover or looking to remortgage, your mortgage lender will always request a copy of your bank statements. In fact, they will ask for numerous pieces of evidence to support your affordability for a mortgage.
Lenders look at bank statements for multiple different reasons. They will need to measure your mortgage affordability, reliability and determine whether you are someone who manages their finances responsibly.
The planning stage of your mortgage journey matters the most. As a mortgage broker in Doncaster, we would strongly advise that you think about your bank statements and consider what you want to show on them in the months leading up to your mortgage application.
Furthermore, when it comes to what a lender is looking for on your bank statements, a big thing that will catch their eye is gambling transactions.
Although gambling is not illegal, lenders do seem to judge your mortgage application less favourably if they can see large amounts of gambling transactions on your bank statements.
There’s a big difference between spending a little bit here and there when the grand national is on to frequently betting lots of money every weekend. This is why, especially during your mortgage application and the months leading up to it, you should remember to ‘gamble responsibly’.
A mortgage broker in Doncaster like us, nor a lender can ever tell you how to live your life, all we can do is ask for you to be careful. Lenders do have a duty to lend responsibly.
Lenders need to prove to regulators that they’re lending to responsible applicants, therefore they will never lend to someone who can’t take care of their own finances. Would you lend to someone who is constantly gambling over an applicant who hardly gambles?
The odd gambling transaction here and there shouldn’t affect your ability to get a mortgage. Lenders will look at the size of the transactions and how frequent they are.
They will also look at how these transactions affect your overall account balance. Do they make you dip into your overdraft? Are you borrowing money to gamble/gambling money that you don’t have?
If you’re acting irresponsibly with your money in the lead up to your mortgage application, the lender will notice all of these transactions straight away.
It’s not just gambling transactions that lenders will look for, they will also be looking for different things on your bank statements:
They need to be sure that you are the type of applicant that they want to lend to. From monitoring your accounts to asking you questions about your transactions, they need to be certain that they can trust you.
On the other hand, if you do happen to dip into your overdraft now and again, it shouldn’t have too much detrimental effect on your mortgage application. It’s when you are constantly dipping into your overdraft and are struggling to get out of it.
Being reliable and sensible is exactly what a lender is looking for. Plan ahead, show the lender that you’re serious about the mortgage process and want to present yourself the best that you can.
Usually, you will be asked to provide up to three months of your most recent bank statements. With this in mind, during these months, make sure that you take care of finances and be responsible and sensible.
If you gamble regularly, perhaps it could be an idea to take a break for a little while. Betting apps often hold betting limit features; this could be something to think about. As well as aiding your mortgage application, this may also be good for your mental health.
Our job as a mortgage broker in Doncaster is to help you through your whole mortgage process, from the very start! We will take a look at your evidential documents with you, making sure that you are presenting yourself in the best way possible for your situation.
Our mortgage advisors in Doncaster will hold your hand throughout your application. We have availability 7 days a week, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.
When it comes to choosing which mortgage product to take out, it can become a bit of a minefield as there are so many choices available. If you’re a First Time Buyer in Doncaster, all of these different options can get a little bit confusing. Each type will work very differently from another too, therefore, it’s best to know how each one works.
In this article, we are going to focus on the Cashback mortgage and look at how they work. Also touching on how it can benefit you and your mortgage situation.
Before we dive into the article, if you’d prefer to watch Malcolm’s video on cashback mortgages, that option is available. Take a look at the moneymanTV YouTube video just below:
They’re as simple as they sound. Taking out a Cashback mortgage would allow you to get some cash back at the end of your whole mortgage term. They’re usually taken out over long-medium mortgage terms.
The amount that you’ll get back at the end of your term is usually calculated from a percentage of what you have borrowed. Typically, the percentage will be something like 1 or 2%.
In other cases, lenders may state a fixed price in your contract that you signed when you originally took out the mortgage. The amount stated on your contract will not increase over time, this is a fixed price.
Like all mortgage options, the Cashback mortgage comes with both positives and negatives. Sometimes, it can be down to the lender that you’ve chosen to take out the mortgage with. For example, some lenders may offer a free mortgage valuation or some sort of fringe benefits with your product.
Cashback mortgages tend to appeal to customers that are borrowing lower mortgages. You will get money back at the end of your term and possibly some benefits on the side. If you manage to get offered a competitive percentage on a Cashback mortgage in Doncaster, it may be worth considering as it will be worth the investment in the long term.
There is only really one downside to these types of mortgages, and that’s that they tend to come with high interest rates.
When compared to other mortgage options, the Cashback mortgage isn’t at the forefront of the market; it’s not the most popular amongst homeowners. This doesn’t mean that it’s not an option worth considering.
As a mortgage broker in Doncaster, we do occasionally see Cashback mortgages being taken out, therefore if you are interested in them, they’re still available!
If you don’t quite qualify for your first mortgage option, they make a great backup option. If you want to find out more about the Cashback mortgage and the other types of mortgages that are available, you should get Specialist Mortgage Advice in Doncaster from our advisors. We will be more than happy to go through all of your mortgage options with you.
Get in touch by booking your free mortgage appointment online today.
Firstly, Congratulations! You have passed all of the necessary exams and are now a newly qualified teacher. Now all you have to do is find a teaching position and start gaining some teaching experience.
For some, to be closer to that job, you may be required to look at relocating to Doncaster. If you already own your own home, you may benefit from the help of a mortgage broker in Doncaster.
We have dealt with many customers who feel stressed trying to balance the strain of homeownership whilst settling down within your newfound role in teaching.
Hopefully, with the help of a mortgage advisor in Doncaster, your process will go a lot smoother and quicker, reducing your stress levels.
The challenging part is finding a lender willing to offer a mortgage to newly qualified teachers. Mian reason being NQT having little to no work history or being on a temporary contract.
The good news is, some lenders may even offer good deals with those working within the teaching industry from time to time and always a good idea to go to a mortgage broker. For instance, with the help of a mortgage broker in Doncaster, they can search thousands of deals and match your situation to the right lender’s criteria.
The different types of mortgage available for newly qualified teachers commonly include:
Here are some things that lenders may consider during your process:
Our team of mortgage advisors in Doncaster have much experience working throughout this industry, helping various people with similar situations such as yourself.
Most importantly, there are lots of benefits to home buyers using a trusted first time buyer mortgage broker in Doncaster.
For more information get in touch, and we can book you in for a free mortgage consultation. From there, we take some details from you to determine whether or not you have a chance of obtaining a mortgage suitable to your circumstances.
First time buyers in Doncaster making an offer on a property is an exciting part of the process. However, it’s a little tricky. You want to be able to obtain the house at the lowest possible price. But then again, you might feel uncomfortable about making an offer so low as to upset the seller.
The first thing to understand is that this is a negotiation process. It’s unlikely that your first offer will be accepted unless you go in at very close to the asking price.
Most sellers (aka Vendors) aim to maximize their selling price. They have plans of their own, and perhaps they need every penny possible to secure a new home for themselves. Whatever their intentions, you are also trying to find the “magic number.” That is to say, the lowest possible price they are willing to accept so that you can move forward.
This number is often slightly lower than they ideally wanted to achieve and slightly more than you ideally wanted to pay!
To help you get to this point before you offer, you need to get organized to give yourself the best possible chance of success. The matter of being organised is especially important if the property is new to the market or you are in competition with another prospective purchaser.
Any decent Estate Agent will want to check whether you are a cash buyer or if otherwise, that you have funds in place. No one wants an agreed sale to fall through, so it’s reasonable for them to check you have the means to proceed.
They also have their anti-money laundering checks to run, so you may also get asked to prove your identity and address. Some corporate Estate Agents exploit this diligence (aka Offer Qualification) to cross-sell other products and services to you.
They prey on purchasers who have fallen in love with a property by intimidating them by stating they have a greater chance of success by using an in-house Mortgage Advisor in Doncaster. However, this isn’t true; most people see right through it, and it is a poor practice that ought to be banned.
Sending in your Agreement in Principle and other documents should be proof enough that you can go ahead, and if not, tell the Estate Agent, you will bypass them and approach the vendor directly.
If you have a property to sell to raise a deposit for your purchase, it is far more effective to have sold it before making an offer. The issue sometimes is that you might not be looking for a new home until a specific one comes up for sale!
If this happens to you, then go ahead and view the property and express an interest. At this point, sellers are trying to agree on a price at this point, though it is to negotiate from a position of weakness. Even if you ignore this advice and agree on a purchase price, the vendor will be advised by their Estate Agent to keep the property on the market, so it doesn’t achieve very much.
Make sure to get all your paperwork in order. When you apply for a mortgage, you will get asked to provide proof of income, ID, address, deposit, and three months’ bank statements.
Start to pull all your documents together into a folder, so that the second your offer is accepted, you can put the wheels of your formal mortgage application in motion.
Emotions can run high when it comes to selling a home. If you are buying a house for your family and the seller has raised their own family in that house, then it might well resonate with them if you tell them your plans. It will help build empathy.
Telling them about all the shortcomings of the property is unlikely to get you very far when negotiating. For example, if the property is not double-glazed, the vendor already knows that so pointing out the obvious will not help you.
Finding out a little bit about the seller’s plans doesn’t do any harm at all within reason. Have they already found a house to buy themselves? What are the reasons they are moving? Have they had many offers?
Answers to these questions and others may signal how likely the vendor is to take a low offer. Generally, people can’t wait to talk about themselves, and if you listen carefully, you could easily find yourself in a better negotiating position.
One final thing – if your first offer is accepted, then chances are your opening bid was way too high! Always offer less than you are truly willing to pay.
With the October 31st Brexit deadline behind us, people are left to wonder what the next move is for the country. With everything up in arms and uncertainty in the minds of many, it can be hard to find reliable advice.
Many people have been sitting on their hands deciding upon which is the right path to go down in terms of the property market, potentially missing out on golden opportunities which could have benefitted them in the long run.
Due to previously experiencing how the Property Market has shifted by external factors like political situations affecting the country, our Mortgage Advisors are looking towards the future to evaluate the potential outcomes for customers post-Brexit. It feels like there is lots of pent-up demand out there now.
It’s why we strongly recommend our clients to at least get the full scope of their possibilities, especially if they’re planning on just waiting and seeing, which may not work out in their favour. If you’re planning on moving to a new house in 2020, then now’s the time. It would be advisable to have a chat with one of our friendly and experienced advisors sooner rather than later
Around this period now is the time to reach out to us and possibly get your home valued while Estate Agents are quiet.
Getting your home prepared for sale and on the markets takes time, including the 2 or 3 valuations to get a secured opinion, the time for you to choose your preferred Estate Agent, sign your agency agreement and get the photos finalised.
Furthermore, if many other people are in the same mindset as you, waiting will not work in your favour. By the time your home is on the market in the new year – so will theirs. The more houses that are on the market means, the more options there are for the potential homebuyers, possibly driving prices down.
By getting ahead of the market and getting your home valued now will mean many things, to list a few:
When the decision of Brexit is settled, you have all the information there available at your fingertips.
The decision to sell is all yours, and it is not a means to an end. It’s giving you a head start.
If you decide to remortgage to sell, you’ll have many reasons to spruce up your property, and there are many tips for selling your home. But if you prefer not to, you’ll already know the figures and the feedback to possibly get the best value by carrying out home improvements.
If you’re thinking of moving home in 2020 or the near future, contact us and speak to one of our friendly Mortgage Advisors to discuss your mortgage options. We offer all customers a free no obligation consultation.
Considering consolidating credit card debt into your mortgage may see like an easy way of dealing with your debt.
You will be moving unsecured credit card debt into a mortgage. Consider this move wisely and in detail before you decide. You may be reducing your monthly repayments with a lower rate of interest in a single mortgage repayment. But the lower interest rate and new loan (a mortgage) is not like credit card debt – debt which is unsecured. A mortgage is secured against the home.
You also will probably be aware that you will end up paying back more interest because you are likely to be paying this back over a longer period of time.
However, by consolidating your debt into a mortgage you will be reducing your monthly outgoings, lowering your monthly replaymets, which is usually the objective most people are seeking.
Debts can have been accumulated due to home improvements. In most instances this may also have increased the value of your home. Other times it’s just that the debt has been outstanding for several years with additional expenditure in different areas and it can be hard to reduce this debt.
You could consider taking out zero % credit cards and take the sensible step of looking for a new card when the zero % period ends. However, it’s not guaranteed that you can always get a transfer and it’s when that happens that homeowners decide to take action. Consolidate rather than pay a double-figure interest rate is often preferable and more manageable.
A debt consolidation remortgage is not something most people would want to arrange without taking advice. With a broker you will benefit from the consumer protection which is in place and a suitable tailored mortgage will be recommended for you. Note that the Mortgage Broker in Doncaster works for you and not the Lender so will ensure you get the right outcome.
The savings some people make are hundreds per month if they are carrying large debts and some people prefer to have everything within one monthly payment too.
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