It’s hard to believe, but the pandemic began almost two years ago – and it was around this time that drastic measures were being announced in order to keep the economy afloat.
Who’d even heard of the term furlough pre-pandemic? And what about the series of COVID grants and bounce back loans that the self-employed suddenly had access to? However, it’s these measures, which saved many peoples’ businesses, that now seem to be hindering those looking to apply for a mortgage.
A recent article in This is Money, which features research from the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed, highlights how as many as two in five people who used the Self Employed Income Support Scheme Grant are concerned that they might be penalised for doing so when it comes to applying for a mortgage. Why? Because some lenders are now deducting the value of the loans or grants taken from an applicant’s total income.
Mortgages for self-employed people are generally more challenging to navigate than traditional mortgages such as first-time buyer mortgages and buy to let mortgages. However, against the backdrop of rising inflation and increasing interest rates, applying for a self-employed mortgage has just become even trickier.
Over the last two years, the employment landscape has changed. People have lost their jobs, entire sectors have been wiped out and there is data to suggest that those in their 50s have disengaged with work entirely. However, none of this changes the fact that people still need to get a mortgage.
So, with lenders’ assessment criteria tightening up as the cost-of-living increases, what’s the solution for the self-employed?
As a Guildford mortgage broker – and a self-employed mortgage broker to boot – our view is that now, more than ever, the benefits of using a mortgage broker are hard to ignore. The overriding reason is that mortgage brokers are mortgage experts. They understand the market and are equipped to deal with the nuances associated with applying for complex mortgages, which a self-employed mortgage can be.
Applying for a self-employed mortgage is a minefield at the best of times – and we’re no longer in the best of times – so why make life harder for yourself. Our advice is to find a good mortgage broker or simply call our award-winning team for award-winning mortgage advice.
If you’re self-employed and looking to speak with a self-employed mortgage broker in Guildford, then contact our team of Guildford mortgage advisers by calling 01483 238280 or by emailing info@complete-mortgages.co.uk.
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