Imagine you’ve saved hard – for many years – and have finally reached the point whereby you have enough money for a deposit on a property you like. And then Coronavirus hits and throws everything up in the air.
Well, that’s what happened to many people who were ready to apply for a first-time buyer mortgage in March and who, for the last couple of months, have probably felt a little deflated with getting so close, only to be have their dreams of homeownership put on hold.
The good news is that the restrictions are easing – to a degree, at least. And whilst we don’t know what lies around the corner, Complete Mortgages, as a Guildford mortgage broker, is advising forthcoming homeowners to start thinking about taking their first steps towards getting a foot on the property ladder in readiness for life after (or maybe life with) Coronavirus.
To help you with your thinking before you spend time applying for a first-time buyer mortgage, here are a few things to consider.
Can I afford a first-time buyer mortgage?
These days, an online mortgage calculator – such as Complete Mortgages’ own version here – is a good starting point. It will quickly and simply tell you what you can borrow based on what you earn and what you spend.
With regards to a first-time buyer deposit, if you’re looking at a property that costs £200,000 then you’ll need to have saved at least £10,000 – or 5% – of the total value. Just remember that by having a higher deposit in relation to the total cost of the property, you’ll be able to access a wider range of mortgages.
How do lenders make decisions about how much they’re going to lend me?
No two lenders are the same and each one has its own specific lending criteria. However, there are some general points to think about. These include:
- Income. Are you PAYE or self-employed, and does your overall income depend on bonuses? Income is key, so make sure you can clearly show all sources.
- Expenditure. Do you have many financial commitments? If there’s more going out than coming in then you’ll want to address that before applying for a mortgage.
- Credit rating. The difference between good and bad credit can be the difference between getting and not getting a mortgage. If you’re concerned about your credit rating, then read our article on getting a mortgage with bad credit.
There is a lot to consider before applying for a mortgage – but we can help you with the process. Regardless, now is the time to start thinking beyond COVID-19 and taking the necessary steps towards homeownership.
To access Complete Mortgages’ comprehensive first time buyer guide, which tells you all you need to know when it comes to buying your first home, click here. Or, to speak with a first-time buyer mortgage expert, call 01483 238280 or email info@complete-mortgages.co.uk.
By Mark Finnegan at Complete Mortgages
Recent Comments