Why Should I Use a Mortgage Broker in Leeds?
The Benefits Of Using a Mortgage Broker in Leeds
We firmly believe that there are many positives to taking on the services of an expert mortgage broker in Leeds, more than there would be to going direct. That’s just our opinion though, of course we’d say that!
In reality, there are positives to going elsewhere, so it definitely is worth exploring your mortgage options. Thankfully for us, the majority of people will opt to speak with a mortgage broker in Leeds. That being said, we will take a look at the pros and cons of both routes.
Mortgage Broker in Leeds vs Going Direct in Leeds
The first tick in the column of Team Mortgage Broker is that whilst most high street banks can be approached directly, not all mortgage lenders can be.
This means that to get the best deal across all lenders, you’ll benefit from speaking with a mortgage broker in Leeds, though a mortgage lender may still have some deals you cannot get going to a mortgage broker.
An experienced mortgage broker in Leeds will typically require a fee, whereas this likely won’t be the case when going direct. That being said, we can help to recommend other services that you’ll need for much cheaper than they might be with a lender.
Previous arguments could be made saying that “the bank manager knows my finances inside out,” but this was a nullified argument once credit scoring was introduced.
If you know what you are doing and what you are looking for, going direct can be a quick and easy process. On the other hand, if you do not know what you are doing, you could harm your chances of ever obtaining a mortgage, as you won’t match all lenders criteria.
A trusted mortgage broker in Leeds will be able to review the different lenders mortgage criteria and will be able to match you up with the most suitable mortgage deal. We always aim to get this recommendation right first time, which more often than not, we do.
Mortgage Advice Past vs Present
In days gone by, mortgage advisors from high street banks would approve you for a mortgage, whether they were adequately qualified or not. You would not benefit from correct mortgage advice or consumer protection.
As 2014 arrived, this type of practice was banned by the government. Only experienced mortgage advisors could go about providing mortgage advice to customers, making recommendations for products.
The downside to having to now having to only speak with specific individuals at a bank, meant you could be waiting months, just to speak with someone. That’s not good if you’re keen to get it done quickly!
Because of this, usage of a mortgage broker in Leeds rose, becoming a much more popular option. As a company ourselves, we offer various time slots throughout the week, allowing you to pick a time that is convenient to you, and not months in advance!
Quite often, if you’re lucky when booking your free initial mortgage appointment, you’ll be able to speak with someone the same day.
Modern Day Challenges
Nowadays, the hardest part of the mortgage process is matching up against the right mortgage lenders criteria. It’s also important to remember that deals with the lowest rates often have higher arrangement fees.
At the end of the day, a deal may be really good, but you’ll need to pass affordability checks and be eligible for that deal in the first place. With the help of a mortgage broker in Leeds, you’ll be able to find deals that are suitable for you.
Newer Regulations
Thanks in part to the regulations that followed after the credit crunch back in 2008, mortgage applications perhaps are not as straightforward as they used to be.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, however, as it makes for fairer lending and less chance of anyone falling into arrears, which both customers and mortgage lenders alike would much rather do without.
That being said, there are still a handful of situations that could cause some issues for applicants, of which a mortgage broker in Leeds may be able to help with.
- You have a poor credit history.
- You are receiving a self-employed income.
- There is a mixed deposit source, i.e. Gifted & Savings.
- Opting for Let to Buy. Renting your current home to buy another.
- Being a contractor or working under a zero-hours contract.
- You perhaps can’t quite meet affordability requirements.
Lending Criteria
Over our time as an expert mortgage broker in Leeds, we have seen mortgage lenders demonstrating their competitive prowess, trying to offer better interest rates than their fellow mortgage lenders.
Once again because of the changes to regulations, the other difference between these lenders, is their mortgage lending criteria and whether or not the customer can match up with it.
Examples of how these may differ, is that some mortgage lenders may have more products for self employed applicants than others, whereas others may not but will be more lenient to something like bad credit mortgages.
The Benefit of a Mortgage Broker in Leeds
Whatever your situation may be, it is unique to you. When you get in touch with a mortgage broker in Leeds and discuss your case, we may have encountered something similar before and will use that knowledge to help.
As a part of our service, we aim to go above and beyond for every customer who gets in touch with us. Customers rely on our help, so even if it seems relatively straightforward as far as cases go, we will still give it our absolute all.
During your process, one of our mortgage advisors in Leeds will be able to discuss what your budget is for making an offer on a property and recommend additional services such as trusted solicitors and the right property survey to undertake.
They can also run through any potential insurance options with you, helping prepare you and your family for the future, in the event of anything unfortunate occuring that could hinder your families financial state.
Still, need more convincing?
A further aspect of our service that is worth shouting about as a mortgage broker in Leeds, is how responsive we are to our customers. Oftentimes going direct can leave you unsure of what is going on and not always being able to make contact.
Our trusted mortgage advisors in Leeds will always keep you in the loop, with availability from early until late, every day of the week, responding as soon as they possibly can, no matter what you need them for.
Additionally, an overlooked factor as to why people may prefer the services of a mortgage broker in Leeds, is that nowadays people just seem to be so busy. It’s often easier to use a professional service, to take the stress off your shoulders.
This is especially beneficial for professional applicants who are dealing with customers of their own, perhaps not having the time to run through their process themselves.
Book Your Free Mortgage Appointment
If you would like to go direct, that is great! Generally though, whether a customer is a First-Time Buyer in Leeds, Self-Employed in Leeds, or looking to Remortgage in Leeds, they prefer to enlist the services of an expert mortgage broker in Leeds.
Book your free mortgage appointment today with a fast & friendly mortgage broker in Leeds and we will see how we can help you along your mortgage journey.
What is a Property Survey?
Property Survey Mortgage Advice in Leeds
So, you have had your offer accepted on a property but, is the house actually worth what you said you would pay for it?
If you are wanting to know what the actual value is and the property’s overall condition, a property survey can help with this.
This survey will mention any significant repairs or alterations needed, like repairing the roof.
Different types of property survey
There are a plethora of survey options available, however, the most common types include mortgage valuations, homebuyer’s report and a full structural survey. You might find the survey is free of charge, however, this depends on the lender. For more information on the different types of surveys, check out the content below.
The surveys differ depending on the outcomes on the report. For example, you may receive a report that is more detailed and thorough, whereas you might get one that only mentions certain aspects. The more in-depth a survey is, the more it will cost.
Navigating your way through the process can be daunting and you might want to choose the cheaper option. As much as this will save you money at the time, it may not be worth it in the future and become far more expensive.
In the event that you find something on your survey about your property that you weren’t notified about, by law, you can approach the seller and negotiate a fairer price.
Mortgage Valuation
The most basic property survey is Mortgage Valuations. You usually have this carried out on when you are working out how much a property is worth. This is helpful to the lender as they need to be sure that the property price matches the amount you are set to borrow from them.
For instance, if you put an offer above the property’s actual value, the seller will likely accept your offer but, your lender won’t. Unless you have the funds to make up the difference, the lender will pull out of the deal which is known as down valuation.
The one drawback with this survey is that it doesn’t highlight any apparent repairs and damages. On the other hand, it can let you know of any obvious structural defects that will require a further look at. If you are looking for a more in-depth property investigation, you will need to pay extra to upgrade your survey. This could be worth it in the long run.
Homebuyer’s Report
A Homebuyers Report looks at safety. It checks out how safe the property is and if it is suitable to live in. Surveyors will want to know of any mould problems, damp issues or something that does not pass the current building laws.
The report will be carried out by a property expert. They will examine the property from to bottom to see if it’s safe for you to move into.
Full Structural Survey
You might have made an offer on an older building. As a Mortgage Broker in Leeds, we would strongly advise that you undergo a Full Structural Survey.
With the whole property being surveyed, this does make this survey type the most expensive one. This property survey will provide a lot more detail compared to the three primary surveys with showing what condition the property is in and the changes that will need to made if the property price goes through.
A Full Structural Survey can take as long as a whole day, depending on the property size.
It can take a surveyor as long as a whole day to carry out a Full Structural Survey, however, this does depend on the property size.
Do I need to get a survey on a new build?
When it comes to new build properties, surveys work a bit differently. There is a property survey designed for new builds called a Snagging Survey. This will inform you of any minor and significant issues. The issues could range from a crack in the ceiling to a missing hinge on the door.
The new build might be built and ready for you to move into which, in this case, means you would want to look at getting a snagging survey carried out prior to moving in. By doing this, you are able to negotiate the price if there is anything wrong with the property.
Mortgage Advice in Leeds
If you are wondering which survey is the best one for you, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with our team. We have extensive experience helping many First Time Buyers in Leeds and people looking to Move Home in Leeds find the most appropriate property surveys.
You can receive the services of a surveyor to carry out a Homebuyers report or building survey through the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Agreement in Principle: All About Hard & Soft Credit Searches in Leeds
Credit Score Mortgage Advice in Leeds
Over the years as a Mortgage Broker in Leeds, we have found an increase in people paying a lot more attention to their credit rating. As a result of this, we have found that many people who get in touch with our team have already researched online to find a copy of their credit report.
There are many different credit reference agencies to choose from, but the two most popular companies you may know are Experian and Equifax.
Our team highly recommend that new customers who contact us look to use Check My File. By doing this, you’ll find a report that offers customers a collation of information from various sources (the aforementioned two included) in an easy understandable colour-coded report.
You sign up for a 30-day free trial with Check My File and after the 30 days, you will be charged £14.99 a month. This can be cancelled at any time before the end of those 30 days.
When dealing with customers, our Mortgage Advisors in Leeds are often asked if they will be doing a credit search on them. This is usually a customer who knows that too many searches can negatively impact their credit score.
Our mortgage advisors will always get permission for the customer to run a credit check, whereas the lender will run their own checks. There are two types of credit searches, one is hard searches and the other is soft searches. Below we will explain the difference between the two as well as how they can help.
What is a hard credit search for a mortgage?
A hard credit search is a type of credit check that provides an in-depth look at your credit report. All financial institutions that carry out one of these will need to seek your permission before undertaking this check.
One of the benefits of a ‘hard’ search would be how detailed it goes. Having this carried out and passing it can increase the chance of you being successful with a mortgage, however, this is not always guaranteed).
After passing this, the only thing that could go wrong with your mortgage process is if you cannot provide the required documentation to back up the information that you have presented to the lender, or it turns out you have provided incorrect information altogether.
Another advantage to having a hard credit search carried out will leave a ‘footprint’ on your credit file meaning that anyone looking at your report can see that this search has already been done on your file.
Having this mark on your file is not a bad thing at all, however, if your credit file shows that there have been multiple searches carried out in a short period of time. By having these displayed, it could give the impression to the mortgage lender that you are applying for lots of credit at the same time which wouldn’t work in your favour.
An important point you need to know about the ‘footprint’ is that it will not leave a note to confirm whether or not your application was successful. Therefore, having several searches highlighted on your report can result in the lenders’ systems assuming wrongly that you are being declined regularly. Think about it; why would you apply for credit with a second lender, unless you’d been declined by the first?
If you have the occasional hard footprint on your record it’s not going to be a massive issue which is why you don’t need to worry about it too much. It’s best to be careful not to have too many of these taken out.
What is a soft credit search?
The other type is a soft credit search. Opposite to a hard credit search, this would be a more straightforward approach by looking at your financial situation. These are normally done through price comparison websites, so you can find out what options may be on offer for you.
Another way it can be used is to verify your identity. Some mortgage lenders will carry out soft searches of their own. It can be common to find these days that even more lenders are changing to this type of credit search.
Even though the one drawback of a soft search is that you will get less information out of it in comparison to a hard search, if you managed to obtain an Agreement in Principle from a lender, this still can be a positive indicator that your application will be accepted.
The one factor that makes soft searches appealing to customers is that you are able to see soft searches that others have carried out on you (many are often surprised by how many have been carried out on them), but these searches will not be visible to other financial institutions like a bank or lender.
Because of this, you will be able to apply for an Agreement in Principle ahead of a mortgage in Leeds, without causing any damage to your credit score, whether you are successful or not.
In the case where you are a First Time Buyer in Leeds looking at making any offers on a property, our expert Mortgage Advisors in Leeds would highly recommend you get a mortgage Agreement in Principle before getting in touch with an estate agent.
It can be ideal to give yourself the best possible chance of securing your dream property at the lowest possible price. Therefore if you present yourselves as having your finances organised, it’s likely you will give yourself the upper hand in your mortgage situation.
Having an Agreement in Principle to hand can also help stop an estate agent from trying to cross-sell any of their own mortgage products to you.
Hurdles Obtaining a Mortgage in Leeds
Specialist Mortgage Advice in Leeds
With the right help and guidance, your mortgage process should go smoothly. In some cases, it’s not always guaranteed to go so well. Speaking to customers some applicants had face various hurdles along there mortgage journey. As a Mortgage Broker in Leeds, below we listed some of the most frequent mortgage hurdles that we came across in the past.
Child Care Costs
You shouldn’t be declined a mortgage because of childcare costs. But depending on the amount, having child care costs can sometimes be a large outgoing and having these costs, may reduce the mortgage amount you can borrow.
Most lender class childcare costs as a loan or a credit commitment. Which means even if you didn’t have these costs, having children in general means you will have large outgoings going out each month.
Because of this, you are likely to borrow less than a mortgage applicant with the same income, that doesn’t have any kids of their own. There are some mortgage lenders out there who will take child care costs into account, which can increase this amount, though this isn’t always guaranteed.
Mortgages following Divorce/Separation
Nobody ever buys a home with a partner, only to result in divorce or separation. It’s does happen, and leaves the family finances in need of a drastic reorganisation. Some of the most frequently asked questions we receive include:
- How do I remove my ex’s name from my mortgage?
- Can I remove my name from my ex’s mortgage?
- Am I allowed to have a second mortgage?
All of the above can be done, though this will depend on a case by case basis. You will need to seek out expert mortgage advice and speak to a experienced Mortgage Advisor in Leeds. In some cases, if you rece any child maintenance, this can sometimes be used as assessable income for a future mortgage.
Starting a New Job – Can I get a Mortgage?
It all depends on the mortgage lender, some lenders will require you to have been in work continuously for a certain period of time, whereas there are others with different criteria.
You will also find that it is entirely possible to get a mortgage. If you are soon going to start a new career. A signed contract and written job offer communication will often be a good way of helping you achieve this.
There could potentially be some hurdles if you have had any gaps in employment, as some lenders will flag that up. In other cases any probationary periods should be okay.
Evidencing Your Deposit
Anti-Money Laundering precautions are very strict. All Lenders will require evidence of your deposit, and you will need to prove the origins of your savings. You may also be asked for this by an estate agent or solicitors, depending on who you go with.
Cash deposits are not ideal at all. Any red flags in your bank statement will be heavily questioned and it is entirely possible your mortgage application will be rejected.
You may be able to utilise a gifted deposit, with some of or all of the deposit being gifted by a family member or friend. That person needs to confirm in writing that it is not intended to be paid back as a loan, becasue as the name suggests it’s a gift.
Speak to an Experienced Mortgage Advisor in Leeds
If you’re facing hardships as a First Time Buyer in Leeds, stressed because of Moving Home in Leeds, book your free mortgage appointment to speak with one of our expert Mortgage Advisors in Leeds.
Even if we haven’t listed a situation your in, it’s possible we’ve helped another customer in a similar situation. Let our trusted expert Mortgage Advisor in Leeds help you with your mortgage application.
How Much Can I Borrow for a Mortgage in Leeds?
Mortgage Advice in Leeds
If you are wanting to know the maximum amount you can borrow for a mortgage, you can book yourself a free mortgage appointment to speak with one of our expert Mortgage Advisors in Leeds.
From our experience, the two most popular questions we find that First Time Buyers in Leeds in and Home Movers in Leeds ask us are; can I get a mortgage in my situation and if so how much can I borrow?
Here we will take a closer look at the latter of the two, which has changed a lot in the past decade, followed by what happens now during your mortgage process.
Historic rules
Looking back to the 90s, before credit scoring was a thing, people would manually underwrite all mortgage applications, which means that the process of approving mortgages got left to real people and not just computers.
You would book an appointment for an interview with your local building society to speak to the building society manager. From there, you would present and discuss your case.
Back then, you could probably guarantee that this would turn into a sales pitch, where they would assist you to start saving with them for a while until you can prove to them that you are creditworthy.
The manager would then grant you what a past equivalent of today’s Agreement in Principle was. Following this, the customer would then be given some advice on the amount they could borrow.
While sounding like a highly personalised process with a simple and common-sense approach, there were many wrong decisions. The manager had the discretion to interpret the lending manual in the way that they wanted to.
In other words, you could have gone to the same building society in a different location and left, having obtained an entirely different outcome than the previous branch you visited.
To prevent this and to cut any costs that weren’t necessary, lenders started using automated affordability, so when lending to customers, only provide them with a figure three or even four times their annual income.
Mid 2000s approach
Going forward to the early 2000s, lenders relaxed, even more, becoming arguably even too generous in how much they would be willing to lend their customers.
Some lenders would offer out self-certified mortgages, a process that meant no background checks would take place, and the customer could self-certify their income, even if the buyer falsely inflated the amount they were declaring.
The market fell apart, and these kinds of practices brought about the infamous Credit Crunch of 2008. The years that followed, between then and 2010, were incredibly challenging times.
This was especially the case if you were trying to get onto the property ladder for the first time. At this point, lenders had to change, and much stricter lending criteria had to be put in place.
Nowadays approach
Through lots of dedication and perseverance, the market recovered. In 2014 the regulator launched the Mortgage Market Review (MMR), a brand new and completely revised set of guidelines for lenders to follow to prevent the Credit Crunch from happening again.
No longer were the old-style income multipliers available, which took little account of household spending habits.
It may come as quite a surprise, but before 2014, whether their credit histories were good or bad, two applicants earning the same income could more or less be able to borrow the same as each other.
This was also not factoring in how much they were regularly spending. All-new affordability models came from that point, taking a much more forensic view of how exactly those applying for a mortgage handle their finances.
Deeper analysis
As well as this new cap, typically, most mortgage lenders will no longer go past 4.75 times your annual income, and they prefer to have an in-depth analysis of your spending habits.
Your habits may entirely depend on your situation, such as having high childcare costs, a potentially large amount of credit commitments, and in some cases, any student loans to pay off. In cases like these, a mortgage lender will most probably offer you less than, say, your work colleague who has far fewer outgoings.
Nowadays, there are significant differences between lenders in how much or little they will lend to some customers. From time to time, some lenders have been known to penalise low-earners.
It could just be that they are not looking for that type of applicant. Some take pension contributions as a fixed outgoing, so may lend, for example, a public sector worker with a significant pension deduction, less than a private-sector worker.
Each of these different lenders has its unique lending criteria, and each customer has its own situation. Suppose you need to maximise your borrowing capacity to have a chance at buying your dream home.
How can a Mortgage Advisor in Leeds help?
You will highly benefit from expert Mortgage Advice in Leeds. Our team will search the market on your behalf to try and match you to various lenders criteria.
If you want to know exactly how much you should borrow for a mortgage and are ready to go, please get in touch and book yourself in for a free mortgage appointment to speak with one of our Mortgage Advisors in Leeds today. We will talk to you and work out your finances with you to ensure you are comfortable with the maximum amount you can borrow and what your monthly payments will be.
How to Improve Your Credit Score in Leeds
What is a credit score?
Lenders use a credit score to help determine whether you qualify for a mortgage loan or any form of credit. Using your credit report and any other details you provided during your application, lenders use a mathematical model to establish a numerical score representing your credit history.
Although different lenders have their own unique credit scoring models, the credit score that you’ll have listed on your score will likely range from 300-800+. Your credit score represents what kind of borrower you are and how likely you will manage your repayments.
Credit score criteria
- 300-580 – A score within this range is considered poor. Having a credit score like this can lower your chances of being accepted by your lender. You may also be limited to specialist products and have to put down a higher deposit.
- 580-670 – This is a fair credit score. Your lender may be more lenient with you and your application with a score like this.
- 670-740 – You have a good credit score if you fit in this range, and your chances of being accepted will be higher. Most applicants usually have a credit score around this number.
- 740-800 – This is a very good credit score. Having a credit score between this range can increase your chances of being accepted for a mortgage and likely open you to more competitive rates.
- 800+ – If you have a score greater than 800, it is an excellent score. Your score is considered well above the average.
A credit score below the ‘good’ range may mean that you’ll only be able to access specialist products, whereas, if you have a score greater than ‘good’, it’s likely that you’ll be able to access more competitive products.
How a Mortgage Advisor in Leeds Can Help
As an experienced mortgage broker in Leeds, we handle specialist cases every day. We often find that our customers have come to us after being declined by their bank/building society due to a low credit score or something similar.
It’s our job to pick up where they left off on their mortgage journey and try to secure them a great mortgage deal. To speak with a mortgage advisor, book your free mortgage appointment online or give us a call
Reasons Why Your Credit Score Might Drop
There are many different reasons you could have a low credit score. For example, you may receive a CCJ when you’ve taken a loan/borrowed money and have failed to pay off the amount owed.
CCJ’s can put a harmful imprint on your credit file for six years or more, and that’s why it’s so vital that you try and get the CCJ removed from your file before applying for a mortgage or make sure that you pay off all owed payments before you receive a CCJ.
A CCJ will undoubtedly reflect negatively on your mortgage application, and your lender will start asking questions.
Following CCJ’s, failing to stick to credit agreements can harm your credit score. Even failing to keep up with your mobile phone contract payments can eventually cause damage to your credit file.
You can’t forget about the little things either, as they can cause damage too. For example, dipping into your overdraft every month could cause a long term adverse effect.
These are just a few examples of things that can negatively affect your credit score. Of course, there are many other reasons you may have bad credit, and some are more obvious than others.
It’s our job to try and help you improve your score and give you expert tips to try and get your credit file looking up to shape.
Improving Your Credit Score in Leeds
Improving your credit score, exceptionally when low, can sometimes be challenging. When it comes to helping you improve your credit score, we want to give you the best advice possible to help you do so.
You should know that each lender has its unique passing criteria, so your score may affect what sort of deals you can access from each one.
Also, you may not match every single mortgage product, so rather than applying for many different products, you could try shopping around for mortgage deals that will fit your situation and credit score.
Avoid Unnecessary Credit Searches
You’ll have a soft or hard credit search performed on you whenever you go directly to a lender, and their in-house mortgage advisor puts you through for a deal. This search will imprint your credit file, and other lenders will be able to see the search.
If your application gets declined, the credit search on your file may harm your credit file, which is why we recommend keeping the number of searches performed to a minimum.
As an expert mortgage broker in Leeds, we can help. Our team of experts will look at your credit score and only look for products with criteria that we know you’ll pass.
Avoid credit applications
Applying for credit, particularly during your mortgage application, can sometimes backfire on you. If you take out a loan or apply for extra credit if you fail to pay it off before your application, your credit score may dip, and it could reflect poorly on your credit file.
In some cases, as long as you pay it off, borrowing credit can help improve your credit score, as this shows that you are a reliable applicant who meets their payment deadlines.
Check That You’re On The Voter’s Roll
An easy way to help improve your credit score is to get yourself registered onto the voter’s roll (if you aren’t already).
If you aren’t registered, it’s a simple registration process; head over to the official government’s electoral roll page to find out more.
Make sure that you fill out accurate information when registering for the roll. You will need to provide your current living address, so make sure that there isn’t an old address listed on the system.
During the mortgage application process, you should ensure that all of your information gets filled out correctly and double-check that you’ve not got an old address listed anywhere.
Don’t Run Close to Your Maximum Limit
Maxing out your credit card(s) each month can heavily impact your credit score negatively. Of course, paying off your credit cards each month will help and may give your credit score a slight boost.
If you are exceeding credit card limits and constantly dipping in and out of your overdraft, they may feel as if you don’t take your finances seriously and are an unreliable applicant.
Remove Financial Links To Others
Your credit score could be getting harmed without you even knowing if you are still financially linked to someone who has bad credit. Whether it’s an ex-partner or a family member, you should try and get your financial links removed from them if they are harming your credit score.
The only way to do this is to contact your credit reference agencies and request.
Is it all about your credit score?
It’s up to your lender to decide whether they feel like you are the type of person they want to be lending. Some may be more lenient than others, whereas some may be strict and won’t give you some leeway.
Sometimes it’s best to get help from professionals like us. Using a mortgage broker in Leeds could allow you to access new, competitive mortgage products.
Whether you’ve got bad credit or good credit, it’s our job to try and find you a product that you perfectly match. We have a vast panel of high street and specialist lenders, each with 1000’s of mortgage deals for you to try and access.
For further credit score mortgage advice for First Time Buyers and Home Movers in Leeds, feel free to get in touch today.
Getting Prepared For a Mortgage Application in Leeds
First-Time Buyer Mortgage Advice in Leeds
After saving for months/years, you are now at a point where you can put all your hard-earned savings down for a deposit on a flat/house. Now it’s time to get mortgage ready!
You might be a First Time Buyer in Leeds stepping into the mortgage world for the first time or you have experience in the home buying journey as a homeowner and are looking at moving home in Leeds. Either way, our tailored service would prove beneficial. Below is some helpful information that will help you have a grasp on what the mortgage process entails and provide you with information on what you need in order to be mortgage ready for your application.
Get mortgage ready in Leeds
Know where you stand
Firstly, getting Mortgage Advice in Leeds should be at the top of the list. Having an experienced Mortgage Advisor in Leeds by your side guiding you through the process, advising the best route for you in terms of your personal and financial circumstances can be very beneficial.
If you are looking at the amount you may be able to borrow for a mortgage and the amount it will cost, seeking Mortgage Advice in Leeds can help indicate this. Before your Mortgage Advisor in Leeds can begin the process of looking into competitive mortgage deals for you, affordability and a borrowing capacity assessment will need to be carried.
A Mortgage Broker in Leeds, like ourselves, can provide a helping hand throughout the process as well as support you in getting the basics prepared for your mortgage application. In order for your Mortgage Advisor in Leeds to understand your financial position from the very beginning, they will request an up-to-date credit report.
Getting organised for your mortgage
At the start of your mortgage journey, you will need to obtain an agreement in principle. This should be your first priority because without it you won’t be able to make an offer on a property.
Here at Leedsmoneyman, we work hard to provide you with a fully credit-checked agreement in principle sorted for you in 24 hours to take some weight off your shoulders. We would need you to prove who are you are by providing the following:
- Name,
- Where you live,
- How much you earn.
It’s good to be organised as there is a lot of paperwork you will need to collate. Therefore, it’s best to create a file for yourself and start collecting this in advance.
Proof of ID
In order to start the mortgage process, you will need to provide some form of identification. This needs to be a photographic ID like a Driver’s License or a Passport.
Proof of address
As well as the aspects mentioned above, you’ll need concrete evidence that you live at the address that you say you do. Evidence you’ll need could be a utility bill or original bank statement dated within the last three months.
Last three month’s bank statements
One of the most determining factors that can massively contribute towards whether you’ll qualify for a mortgage or not is your spending habits. Your bank statements are something your lenders like to take a look at because they can get an idea of what goes into your account and what goes out. This provides an insight into if you’ll be able to manage your monthly mortgage payments as well as your other expenditures.
One of the main things that lenders look for on your bank statements is gambling transactions. This factor can cause risk further down the line which is why lenders will look at if you do frequently gamble and will be cautious towards this. If you are constantly gambling, lenders won’t risk the chance. Another thing lenders will see as a drawback is if you are regularly going over your overdraft limit or if your direct debits bounce consistently.
Proof of the deposit for your mortgage
For anti-money laundering purposes, you will need evidence that you have the funds in place for the deposit. It’s best that you try not to move the monies around your various accounts too much because it will make evidencing the audit trail more challenging. Your savings building up is something lenders like to see, therefore, you’ll need to account for any extensive credits in your accounts.
There has been a recent increase in the popularity of gifted deposits, we have seen that they contribute towards many people’s 5%. Usually, gifted deposits are generally from a family member or friend of the applicant. In order for these funds to be evidenced properly, the “donor” of the funds will need to sign a letter confirming and evidencing that this is a gift and not a loan.
Proof of income
Proving your income is one of the most important things when it comes to affordability. Employed applicants usually will need to evidence this through the last three months’ payslips and most recent P60. Regular overtime, commission, shift allowance and bonuses is another thing lenders can factor in. Whereas self employed will need help from their accountant by requesting your tax year overview.
A list of your expected outgoings
Looking into an estimated amount of your anticipated outgoings after you move house can always be helpful. Furthermore, you can work out an estimation of how much the council tax and utility bills will be. On top of this, you can work out regular expenditures like food and drink. Taking all these into account will show how much disposable income you have available to your mortgage.
When applying for a mortgage, it can be a challenge if you are doing everything on your own as things can become complicated. With a Mortgage Advisor in Leeds being there every step of the way can be very helpful. Impressing your lender by showing them you have done all you can within your power to get prepared for your mortgage application can be challenging. We can assist you with this by providing the best impress of you to your lender and we would have everything prepared for you within 24 hours of free mortgage consultation depending on your circumstance.
Why can’t it be easier to get a mortgage in Leeds?
Specialist Mortgage Advice in Leeds
For many first time buyers in Leeds, and sometimes for home movers, getting a mortgage can be a struggle. Whether it’s to do with credit score, deposit size or affordability, you may encounter a problem or so along your mortgage application journey.
As a mortgage broker in Leeds, we’ve seen many different reasons why someone has been declined for a mortgage. In this article, we are going to take a look at the most common situations that we come across:
Failing to match criteria
When it comes to matching lender’s credit scores, some will be easy to match than others. Each lender will be targeting their own type of customer, therefore it’s very unlikely that you’ll pass every lender’s criteria, no matter how good your credit score is.
You’ll find that lenders with the lowest rates will have the tightest lending criteria. To pass their criteria, it’s likely that you’ll also need a high credit score and a clean credit history, etc.
Lenders will only take on reliable customers. They will not take on someone who carries a risk of falling into areas over the course of their mortgage term. If you have a bad credit history or currently have bad credit, you may need to approach a specialist mortgage lender.
As a specialist mortgage broker in Leeds, we can access specialist lenders and can check whether you’ll match their criteria. It’s our job to offer help to customers who are struggling with their mortgage journey.
Deposit amount
There is always uncertainty as to how much deposit you actually need for a mortgage. Is it 5%, 10%, 15%?
It is all down to your credit score to how much deposit you will be required to put down. Typically, the lower your credit score, the higher your deposit will have to be. Obviously, your deposit total also depends on the property that you’re buying, as property price goes up, so will your deposit.
If you don’t have a deposit in place for a mortgage, it’s very unlikely that you’ll be able to get one. However, you may not need a deposit if you’re taking out a right to buy mortgage in Leeds.
Utilising government-led schemes could possibly help you get a mortgage with a small deposit. There are lots of schemes out there to help struggling customers get onto the property. You could take a look at the Help to Buy Equity Loan, Shared Ownership and the Mortgage Guarantee scheme. There are lots of different options available.
Find out more here: ownyourhome.gov.uk
Computer says no
Sometimes you may not find out the reason why you can’t didn’t qualify for a mortgage. The lender just declined your application.
In this situation, it could be anything from that you’ve applied for the wrong product to that you simply didn’t match the lender’s criteria. As a mortgage broker in Leeds, we like to call this the “computer says no”.
Leedsmoneyman will never put you forward for a mortgage product that we know you will not get accepted for.
Our job, as a mortgage broker in Leeds, is to try and find you a suitable mortgage deal that matches both your personal and financial situation. We will thoroughly measure your affordability and perform a credit check on you; this way, we can start searching for a product that’s perfect for you.
Fast & Friendly Mortgage Advice in Leeds
Our team will make getting a mortgage seem easy once you pass the affordability stage. Having a mortgage advisor in Leeds by your side could prove extremely beneficial and will allow you to progress through the mortgage application stress-free.
Now, instead of asking “why can’t it be easier to get a mortgage?”, use a mortgage broker in Leeds!
Our team are available 7 days a week. Book your mortgage appointment online today.
Have You Been Declined For a Mortgage in Leeds?
Specialist mortgage advice in Leeds
If you’ve been to your bank and been declined for a mortgage, you need to be careful about applying again and then getting declined again. There could be many different reasons why you’ve been declined, some may be easier to fix than others too, it depends on your situation.
Here we look at some of the most common reasons why people get declined for a mortgage.
Failing a credit score
One of the most crucial steps to obtaining a mortgage is passing the lenders credit score. Depending on factors, such as your personal and financial circumstances, some may be easier to pass than others.
Each lender will have their own unique lending criteria. Usually, if you are applying for a mortgage through a high street lender, you may be expected to have a higher credit score and be able to match competitive criteria, whereas, if you have a low credit score or have had past credit problems, you may be required to use a specialist lender with limited products.
Failing a credit score may also negatively impact your overall credit rating; this is why we advise that you don’t keep applying to different lenders if you’re getting declined. Rejected applications may show up your credit file, and may affect your score and ability to get accepted for credit.
If you’re struggling to get accepted, you may benefit from using a mortgage broker in Leeds, like us. We are a specialist broker who try and help people in this or similar situations. Rather than getting declined and potentially damaging your credit score, you should get in touch and we will see how we can help!
Improving your credit score in Leeds
Folowing on from ‘failing a credit score’, getting declined due to your credit score not matching a mortgage product can be dissapointing, and that’s why you should know that you can sometimes improve it!
If you have a low credit score, it is usually down to previous/current credit issues. This could be something from a CCJ to numerous unpaid phone bills. A low credit score is usually considered as less than 500, so if you fall within this range, you may need to look for specialist products.
You can increase your credit score in some cases. For example, if you have a credit card that you use regularly, you should make sure that you pay the balance off in full each month. Surpisingly, being on the voter’s roll can also help as it shows where you live and adds another proof of address on your credit file. Even closing old credit/store accounts and removing your financial links to others can help improve your score.
Improving your credit score can be tricking, if you watch some more top tips, check out our YouTube Video on “How to Improve your Credit Score“.
Declined for a Mortgage on Affordability
Every lender will have their own way of calculating how much you can borrow. It’s possible that you could approach ten different lenders and the outcome is ten completely different answers. Depending on the lender that you’ve used, you may recieve a more lenient offer than others.
Some mortgage lenders will assess 100% of an employee’s overtime and bonuses, whereas others will not. Additionally, some lenders will accept “unearned” income, such as tax credits, child benefits, and maintenance. It’s all down to the lender that you use.
If you use a mortgage broker in Leeds like us , we can approach several different lenders without the need for a credit check in order to perform an affordability assessment. We always advise that you carry out a affordability addsessment prior to applying for a mortgage and viewing properties in Leeds. You want to avoid potential dissapoitment further down the line.
Proving that you have maintained mortgage or rent payments in the past does not necessarily guarantee that you will pass a lender’s affordability test.
Outside of lending policy
All Lenders have their own unique lending criteria. This will be individual to their own products hence, depending on your situations, that’s why some lenders are better than others.
Some lenders have even have their own niches to attract borrowers that they want. Some will tick different boxes, e.g. you may get a specialist lender who aims to help applicants with bad credit, whereas, another lender may stay away from these applicants.
Here are some examples of why your application has been declined for being outside of policy:
- Length of time in employment or self-employment.
- Adverse credit history
- Not enough deposit
- Non-standard property construction
- A married applicant applying for a sole mortgage
- Minimum/maximum age or mortgage term
- Minimum/maximum loan amount
Mortgage Broker in Leeds
As a mortgage broker in Leeds, it’s our job to only compare mortgage products that we know you’ll match. We will never recommend you a product that will not benefit your situation.
Whether you’re a first time buyer in Leeds, or moving home in Leeds, we’re here to help! We know the difficulties that come with the mortgage journey and we know how to get by the majority them.
Get in touch today for a free mortgage consultation. We can’t wait to hear from you!
What is a 95% Mortgage?
A 95% mortgage is when you borrow against 95% of a property’s price, covering the remaining 5% with your deposit. For example, if you looked at buying a property worth £150,000 with a 95% mortgage, you would put down £7,500 as your deposit and borrow the remaining £142,500.
95% Mortgage Advice in Leeds
With the March 2021 Budget, Boris Johnson declared a Mortgage Guarantee Scheme for Lenders, making 95% mortgages more promptly available from banks.
This is excellent news for both first-time buyers and home movers, as this will run until December 2022. Specific terms and conditions will apply. Your Mortgage Advisor in Leeds will be able to see if you qualify.
All our customers receive a free, no-obligation mortgage consultation from recommending the best mortgage deal tailored to your circumstances.
Can I get a 95% mortgage?
95% mortgages are generally available to both First-Time Buyers in Leeds & people looking at Moving Home in Leeds. Whilst the idea of saving for a 5% deposit sounds easy enough, you’ll still need to have a good credit score and prove that you can afford your monthly mortgage repayments to be granted a 95% mortgage.
Improving your credit score
A good credit score is a key to obtaining any mortgage, especially a 95% mortgage. Things like paying any existing credit commitments on time, ensuring your addresses are up-to-date and that you’re on the voters’ roll can all help build this up. For a more in-depth look at what you can do and why, please see our How to Improve Your Credit Score article.
Affordability
Affordability is another key one. By providing details of your income and monthly outgoings (things like your bank statements will be necessary for this) and any pre-existing credit commitments, your lender will get a good idea of whether or not you can afford this type of mortgage.
Can my family help me get a 95% mortgage?
These days, it’s trendy for family members to help each other get onto the property ladder, especially parents looking to further their children. This can be achieved by gifting the person looking to find their home and the property’s deposit. Known by some as the “Bank of Mum & Dad, Gifted Deposits work purely as a gift and not as a loan. The lender will need proof that this is the case before it can be used towards your mortgage.
How do I choose the right 95% mortgage?
When looking for a 95% mortgage, you want to make sure you’re on the right one. Each different mortgage type works in its own unique way, allowing you to find one that is best suited for your personal and financial situation.
You could find that you prefer Fixed Rate or Tracker Mortgages, where you either keep interest rates at a set amount for the term or have your interest rates follow the Bank of England base rates.
Alternatively, you might find that you’re better suited for an Interest-Only or a Repayment Mortgage. The former allows cheaper payments until you need to pay a lump sum at the end (more suitable for Buy-to-Lets), and the latter means you’ll be paying interest and capital combined per month.
How can a more significant deposit help with my mortgage?
As with anything involving such a significant financial outgoing, you need to be prepared and need to be wary. Things that might crop up include higher interest rates, remortgaging difficulties due to less equity, and negative equity.
The good news here is that all these can be avoided if you’re savvy enough with your initial process. The more deposit you put down, the less risk you are to the lender.
A larger deposit, of say 10-15%, would not only lower your interest rate significantly but would also put more equity in the property and reduce the risk of negative equity as you would be borrowing less against the property in question.
So, whilst the risks seem daunting at first, planning ahead and saving for a bigger deposit to access something like a 90% or even an 85% mortgage will be a definite lifeline and something you’ll be able to reap the rewards from.
