Can You Remortgage in Newcastle Early?
As a homeowner in Newcastle, if you don’t plan on selling your home and moving, and you have a fixed-term mortgage, you typically consider remortgaging around three months before your fixed period ends. While this may seem early, it allows enough time for the remortgage process to take place before your initial deal expires.
Some people may choose to remortgage even earlier, six months or more before the end of their current deal. So, the answer to the question, “can I remortgage early?” is yes, it is possible. However, just because you can, doesn’t necessarily mean you should.
Types of Remortgage in Newcastle
When you are looking to remortgage in Newcastle, there are three common types of mortgages to consider: tracker, discount rate, and fixed rate.
The first is tracker mortgages. Tracker mortgages track the Bank of England base rate, which can lead to lower costs when interest rates are low but can also become expensive when rates are high. Some tracker mortgages have “collared” rates, meaning the interest rate won’t drop below a certain point.
Discount rate mortgages are a type of variable rate mortgage and are often offered by mortgage lenders at a discount to their standard variable rate mortgage.
Fixed-rate mortgages are the most popular among the three options. They allow you to lock in an interest rate for a specified number of years, typically 2-5 years. While there is a potential downside of paying more if interest rates drop, fixed-rate mortgages are more likely to provide benefits as interest rates are more likely to rise.
Why would I remortgage in Newcastle early?
Remortgaging early is an option for homeowners who want to make changes to their mortgage before their fixed period is due to end.
Reasons to remortgage in Newcastle early may include securing a better rate, funding home improvements, or consolidating debts. However, it’s important to keep in mind that remortgaging early may come with its own set of challenges and additional costs, so it’s best to carefully consider the decision and weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks before proceeding.
For a Better Rate
Although it’s typical to remortgage when your fixed rate mortgage is approaching its end, there may be instances when you wish to act sooner.
If there are products available in the market with lower rates of interest, you may want to try and switch early. However, this action may come with early repayment charges (ERCs), but the savings you could achieve by remortgaging in Newcastle could potentially outweigh these charges.
To Protect Against Interest Rate Rises
The housing market tends to fluctuate, which can make it more beneficial to remortgage earlier rather than waiting until the end of your fixed period. For example, your interest rate may have risen by a significant amount, say 2-3%, over the course of the 2-5 years that you were fixed in. If you are still a year away from being able to remortgage in Newcastle without facing additional charges, it may be worth remortgaging early, even if it means paying more upfront. This way you may be able to secure a lower interest rate for the next 2-5 years.
In addition, remortgaging early could be a great opportunity for debt consolidation. This allows you to combine all your unsecured debts into one manageable monthly payment, freeing up more income for other expenses. Although this may result in paying more overall, it can help you manage your finances much easier and bring greater financial stability.
You should think carefully before securing other debts against your home. By adding your unsecured debts to your mortgage, which is secured on your home, you are potentially putting your home at risk if you cannot make the required repayments.
Although the total monthly cost of servicing your debt may have reduced, the total cost of repayment may still have risen as the term of your mortgage is longer than it may have taken to repay the debts originally.
Why would I want to avoid remortgaging in Newcastle early?
The potential drawback of remortgaging in Newcastle early is facing repayment charges. The amount of these fees varies based on how soon into your term you are.
Typically, you’ll pay less if you remortgage closer to the end of your fixed period. For tracker mortgages, there’s no fixed period, but there’s typically an introductory period during which you may face fees.
These charges are often substantial, which is why many people avoid them. Before making a decision, it’s always wise to consult with your mortgage lender or a mortgage broker in Newcastle, like us, and get an understanding of any early repayment charges that may apply if you choose to exit your deal before its term ends.
Should I remortgage in Newcastle early?
At the end of the day, this decision is up to you, it is your mortgage and your finances. Although, you should seek mortgage advice in Newcastle prior to making a decision to get insight from a mortgage expert.
If you have weighed up your options and feel like it is best for you to remortgage in Newcastle early, then by all means go ahead. Just make yourself aware of all of the costs involved before acting on it.
How to Remortgage in Newcastle Early
Take advantage of our free remortgage review service today and connect with one of our experienced mortgage advisors in Newcastle. Your review will consist of a discussion between you and your mortgage advisor in Newcastle about your remortgage aims and a look at your personal and financial situation to determine which remortgage route is best for you.
We are available 7 days a week, make sure to get in touch at a time that best suits you.
How Long Does Mortgage Approval Take in Newcastle?
Mortgage Approval Advice in Newcastle
If you are a first time buyer in Newcastle, it is likely that you will have a whole load of questions on your mind regarding the mortgage process and how each step works. If you have managed to get your head around the first few stages, you will now start wondering about the final stages such as mortgage approval.
As a mortgage broker in Newcastle, we get frequently get first time buyers asking questions like “what is a mortgage approval” and “how long does a mortgage approval take?”; these types of questions involve an important part of the mortgage process and you will need to know exactly what a mortgage approval is. Within this article, we are going to cover mortgage approvals and how long you should expect to get one once submitting your formal mortgage application.
The Mortgage Application Process
Here, we are going to discuss how the process works and how you would reach a mortgage approval in Newcastle.
Free Mortgage Appointment
The first step of your mortgage process would be to get in touch and book a free mortgage appointment with a mortgage advisor in Newcastle. Once you have a date and time for your free appointment, you are ready to get the ball rolling with your mortgage journey!
During your mortgage appointment, your mortgage advisor in Newcastle will take some information from you to discuss your current mortgage situation and what you are trying to achieve. They will also ask for some personal and financial information to support your income, affordability etc.
Mortgage Advisor Research
Using the details that you have provided, your advisor will be able to go and find the perfect mortgage product for you. They will look for a competitive mortgage product that matches your personal and financial circumstances.
We have a variety of lenders on panel that we are able to search through in order to try and find the best deal for you. We will search through 1000s of mortgage products on your behalf before selecting a product.
Once your mortgage advisor in Newcastle finds you a suitable product, they will feed back and present their recommendation. This deal will be presented in a mortgage illustration, which will outline the whole product. Your advisor will go into the details of the product and cover aspects such as monthly payments, interest rates, how long your term is, etc.
Mortgage Agreement in Principle
You will need a mortgage agreement in principle (AIP) to be able to make any offers on Newcastle properties. As a mortgage broker in Newcastle, we will be able to arrange an AIP for you completely free of charge so that you are in the best position possible when it comes to making an offer on a property.
An agreement in principle just shows that the lender is willing to let you borrow for them based on the personal and financial information that you provided to your mortgage advisor. You will need to provide supporting documents, such as bank statements and source of deposit, once you advance with your mortgage product.
No, an AIP does not guarantee a mortgage; it only helps you through the first few steps of the mortgage process. They roughly last between 30-90 days, therefore, you may need to renew them if you get one prior to looking at houses. This is no issue, as your mortgage broker in Newcastle, we can renew this within 24 hours of it expiring, just get in touch with your mortgage advisor for them to arrange this!
Submitting to The Mortgage Lender
So, you have found a property and have used your AIP to make an offer on it. You also want to continue with us and take the mortgage product that we have offered you. Now, it is time to supply some evidential documents and submit your mortgage application to the lender!
If you do not want to continue with us, unfortunately, we will not be able to offer you the recommendation your advisor initially presented you with.
Mortgage Lender Checks
Once your application has been sent off, the lender will start to carry out checks on your file and the documentation that you have supplied.
They will thoroughly check your bank statements, monthly outgoings, current financial commitments, etc., to be adamant that you can afford the mortgage product that you are looking to take out. They will also need your ID and current address to make sure that you are, who you say you are.
If you were given a gifted deposit, they will also need to check where it can come from and complete an audit trail to support this.
Mortgage Valuation Survey
A mortgage valuation survey will be carried out on the property that you are looking to buy in order to confirm the house is worth what you are paying for it. If you need to, our team will recommend any additional surveys you should have carried out.
If the price of the property is not worth what you are paying for it, the lender may lower the mortgage lending amount they are willing to give to you. In their eyes, they will be lending more than they need to. You have two main choices, you can either try and negotiate with the seller to lower the value of the home, or you can make up the difference with your own money or through a gifted deposit.
Receiving Mortgage Approval
After their checks are complete and everything looks good to go, the lender will let our team know that your application has been approved and successful. Your first time buyer mortgage advisor in Newcastle will be straight in touch to let you know the great news!
From here, it’s off to your solicitor for the exchanging of contracts and the rest of the legal side of things. Now the last step; pick up your keys to your new home!
Get Mortgage Ready in Newcastle!
This is the usual process for a standard mortgage case, although, in some different and complex situations, the steps may differ.
You can get started on your process today! Get in touch by using our free appointment booking system. Tap the enquire online button to get started.
We can’t wait to hear from you soon!
What is a Mortgage Illustration?
Mortgage Illustration Newcastle
What is included in a mortgage illustration?
Main details
Costs of taking out a product
Monthly repayments
Legal fees
Valuation fees
Do I have to agree to your mortgage recommendation?
Does a mortgage illustration guarantee me a mortgage?
Is a mortgage illustration the same as an agreement in principle?
Speak to a Mortgage Broker in Newcastle
Obtaining an Up-to-Date Credit Report in Newcastle
Credit report Mortgage Advice in Newcastle
Getting an up-to-date version of your credit report is something that we always recommend doing before starting your mortgage process. As your Mortgage Broker in Newcastle, we will need an up-to-date credit report from you to get an idea of your current financial situation. This will help them pick out the perfect mortgage product for you!
We also suggest using Checkmyfile to obtain your credit report. Checkmyfile cross reference your data between four credit agencies to give you an in-depth detail into your profile.
How to get your up-to-date credit report:
- When you head to Check My File, you will be offered a free 30-day trial. If you start this, you will be able to get a copy of your credit report. Once your 30-day free trial ends, it will cost £14.99 a month to continue using this service. Bear in mind that this can be cancelled at any time, even after your 30-day free trial.
- When you have logged in, filled in some details and can see your credit report, go to the bottom of the page where you will have the option to ‘Download Printable Version’. From this, you will then download a local copy of your credit report to the device you are using.
- Your downloadable PDF will be password protected by your 6-figure date of birth ‘DDMMYY’.
- When you have downloaded this, feel free to send your credit report to enquiries@ukmoneyman.com, along with your date of birth.
What happens when I send my credit report to a Mortgage Broker in Newcastle?
Sending your Credit Report by email may slightly differ depending on what device you are using e.g. iPhone, Android, Desktop PC.
Once we’ve obtained your credit report, we can get your mortgage process running. First of all, this will allow us to look further into your mortgage situation and try to find you a deal that matches your personal and financial situation.
Your dedicated Mortgage Advisor in Newcastle will be able to search through 1000s of mortgage deals. On our panel, we have access to both high street and specialist products. Once we find the perfect product, it’s up to you whether you want to continue with us and the deal.
If you are a First Time Buyer in Newcastle or are looking at Moving Home in Newcastle, we would strongly recommend obtaining your credit report as early on in the process as possible. Head over to Checkmyfile today and get your mortgage process started!
What is a Mortgage Review?
Mortgage review advice in Newcastle
Especially if you are new to the scene, the mortgage process can sometimes seem a little complicated. There are no loopholes or quick ways to do things! This is because it needs to be done right and in order.
When starting the mortgage process as a first time buyer, home mover or landlord, you will undergo your free mortgage appointment with us where we will talk you through your mortgage options and gather some information from you regarding your personal and financial circumstances. This is standard procedure for a Mortgage Broker in Newcastle, like us. On the other hand, what would happen if you were not buying a property and you wanted to remortgage or simply check up and see whether you are on the best deal? How would the process differ for an applicant looking to purchase a property?
The difference is that this process starts with a mortgage review and not a mortgage appointment. And, in a lot of cases, those which have taken a mortgage review have ended up saving a lot of money further down the line… Sometimes hundreds!
What is a mortgage review?
Primarily, you will hear ‘mortgage review’ over names such as ‘mortgage check-up’; in reality, they all mean the exact same thing. A mortgage review is simply a look at your current deal to make sure that you’re on the best product available to you. This comparison can sometimes save you lots of money in the long run, especially if interest rates are low and you are able to switch products.
Typically, your mortgage review will be carried out by your Mortgage Advisor in Newcastle, although, some people like to do it by themselves and compare products online. As a Mortgage Broker in Newcastle, we would still recommend speaking with an advisor so that you can get an accurate representation and make sure that you are looking at the right products that match your personal and financial situation.
How does a mortgage review work?
A mortgage review works similarly to your typical remortgage appointments. Your credit will be examined, your income and affordability will be assessed, and your personal and financial situation will be considered. Don’t forget your current mortgage deal too.
With all of this information, your Remortgage Advisor in Newcastle will be able to compare your deal with others on the market that are currently on offer. Some products will not be suited to your circumstances. And, if there is not a suitable product, your advisor will be transparent and tell you so.
How often do I need to review my mortgage?
Getting your mortgage reviewed every 6 months does no harm. Some people review their mortgage within even shorter timeframes. There is nothing wrong with this either, in fact, there are tools out there that monitor your mortgage in live time, giving you 24/7 updates to whether you are on the best deal available. This is exactly what our free mortgage club offers!
If you are within the last year of your fixed mortgage term, we would always recommend checking every couple/few months so that if a deal that you want becomes available, you are able to action it right away.
As a Mortgage Broker in Newcastle, we advise our customers to set up a mortgage review reminder so that they are always on top of their mortgage.
Can I take a deal following a mortgage review?
In some cases, it will be possible to take out the deal that you have found following your mortgage review. If you want to pursue the deal that you have found, you may need to pay an early repayment charge (ERC), although, this does depend on how long you have left on your fixed term.
For example, if your deal is coming to its end and you find a competitive deal following a mortgage review, as long as that deal is still available when your term ends, you could switch onto that deal and avoid an ERC. In another example, if you found a deal following a mortgage review but you are 8 months from your fixed term ending, if you switch deals, you will face an ERC.
When signing on for a mortgage, you are stating that you will meet set payments until the end of your fixed term, therefore, if you decide to take out another deal mid-term, you are breaking this agreement and will receive a charge (ERC).
Sometimes this can be worthwhile if the rates are competitive and it will save you lots of money further down the line.
How much can I save?
Some people will save more than others when taking a mortgage review and switching deals. Potentially, some people could save hundreds! It depends on how far you are into your deal, current products in the market, your personal and financial situation etc.
If you were to take a review at a time when interest rates are low, you could potentially find lots of competitive deals out there.
Before you switch…
If you are looking to switch over to a new mortgage product online, we would still recommend consulting with a professional first. Online switching could potentially put you on the wrong deal and you would have to face numerous charges to revert back to another deal more suited to your circumstances.
If you choose to get Remortgage Advice in Newcastle, you will have a point of contact all the way through the journey. We have helping clients find competitive mortgage deals for over 20 years now too, and you could be next!
To contact us, simply give us a call or book a free appointment online. This way, you will be in safe hands when switching your mortgage deal and you’ll know that you are on the best deal for you and your circumstances.
Lifetime ISA Explained in Newcastle
Mortgage Advice in Newcastle
Following the discontinued Help to Buy scheme in 2019, home buyers began exploring other schemes that could help them get onto the property ladder. One of these was the Lifetime ISA.
Introduced in 2017, the Lifetime ISA gives First Time Buyers an easy approach to raising money to buy a property. Alternatively, it can also be used to save for later in life. We are a Mortgage Broker in Newcastle, therefore, this article will focus on how you the Lifetime ISA can be used to save for a property. It will also show the scheme requirements and how it can benefit you as a First Time Buyer in Newcastle.
Our YouTube channel features an in-depth explanation of the Lifetime ISA. Feel free to watch the video below or visit the channel and check out more of our free educational content!
What is the Lifetime ISA?
The Lifetime ISA is only available to First Time Buyers. This is because you are expected to have the funds available when it comes to selling and moving home. The government specifically wanted to help First Time Buyers get onto the property ladder.
The way the scheme works is that you have an interest-free independent savings account which you build up and put money into (just like a typical savings account). There are no limitations to how much can you deposit into your ISA, there is only a £4,000 yearly cap. Whatever you manage to save in the year will also be topped up by the government by 25% of your savings.
The savings are worked out every tax year, therefore, you will receive a 25% bonus every year around April. If you manage to save £4,000 in the tax year, you will receive £1,000 in your Lifetime ISA account. This makes your yearly savings sum up to £5,000.
You must be aware that once your money has been deposited into your Lifetime ISA, it cannot be withdrawn without a 25% charge. If you want to take out £1,000, you will only receive £750.
How can I spend my savings?
When you are using the Lifetime ISA to fund your first property purchase, do not withdraw from your ISA to use the funds as a deposit. When you are starting your mortgage process, simply tell your Mortgage Advisor in Newcastle that you have a Lifetime ISA and they will explain how this part of the process works.
The Lifetime ISA is still available to those currently renting. This does not affect your application as you have never owned a property before. We recommend building up your Lifetime ISA for a couple of years prior to buying a property. This way you are able to benefit from a few yearly government bonuses.
If you are wanting to use this scheme to save for later in life, check out the government’s official webpage: https://www.gov.uk/lifetime-isa.
Are there any restrictions?
There will be some requirements that you will have to pass before being able to open your Lifetime ISA. Here is what you will need to look out for:
- You need to be a First Time Buyer in Newcastle, buying your first home
- You can only save a maximum of £4,000 per year
- The property that you are buying must cost £450,000 or less
- You must be under the scheme for a least a year before you can make a purchase
- You must be over the age of 18 but under 40
If you fit into the scheme’s criteria or are unsure whether you qualify, feel free to get in touch. As a Mortgage Broker in Newcastle, it is our job to help you through the mortgage process from the very beginning, even at this stage. We say that the earlier that you get started the better!
Mortgage Advice in Newcastle
The Lifetime ISA is a great way for First Time Buyers in Newcastle to get onto the property ladder. With time and investment, the ISA could boost your deposit which could open you up to a higher loan to value mortgage deals (also dependent on a good credit score and affordability).
If already have a Lifetime ISA in place, now is a great time to get in touch and speak to one of our Mortgage Advisors in Newcastle. We have helped many First Time Buyers with Lifetime ISAs before, and you could be next.
Interest-free, tax-free and simple! What more could you want as a First Time Buyer looking to save for your first housing deposit?
Our Mortgage Advice Service in Newcastle
Mortgage Broker in Newcastle
As a mortgage broker in Newcastle, our job is to support you through the whole mortgage process, making it a stress-free and easy-going experience. We also aim to try and find you a competitive mortgage product that is tailored to your specific financial and personal circumstances.
For us, it’s important that the customer knows exactly how our service works and in what order different parts of the process come in. To give you an insight into our process and how it works, we have put together a small guide that we think you’ll find useful.
How does our process work?
As a mortgage broker in Newcastle, we’re open and honest with you 100% of the time. Step by step, let’s take a look at our process and how it works.
Step 1
1. First of all, once you contact our responsive team, we will take some details from you so that we can get a picture of who you are and what you’re looking to do. This also helps us select the perfect mortgage advisor in Newcastle to pair you with.
Following the chat and a fact find to fill out, we will get you booked in for your free mortgage consultation with your own dedicated mortgage advisor in Newcastle.
Step 2
2. During your free consultation with your dedicated advisor, they will ask you a few more questions. This will give them a closer look into your mortgage needs. From here on out, this advisor will take care of you and help you find the perfect mortgage deal for you!
If they manage to find you a great deal that benefits both your personal and financial situation and you’re happy to take it up, we are ready to continue to the next step.
Step 3
3. This step continues right after your consultation. Your advisor will arrange a mortgage agreement in principle (AIP) for you within 24-hours of your consultation.
Having an AIP in place early on in the process is crucial. It shows a seller that a lender is willing to let you borrow from them. This is of course agreed in principle that you can provide evidential documents to back up your income, credit score, etc. During this part of the process, if you haven’t already found a home to make an offer on, you can start hunting for houses with your AIP to back up any offers.
After your AIP is in place, we’ll begin collecting evidential documents from you to back up your mortgage application. This will include payslips, bank statements, photographic ID, etc. These documents and the amount that you need to supply could vary if you are a self-employed applicant.
Step 4
4. As soon as everything looks good on our end, we can move to the mortgage application submission stage!
We’ll only submit your mortgage application if we know that you’ll pass your lender’s credit scoring criteria; we don’t want it to be declined. Once your application is with your potential lender, it’s just a waiting game now. During this time, we’ll be regularly informing you on the progress of your mortgage application.
As soon as we get the green light, we will be in touch straight away to give you the confirmation that you’ve had your mortgage application accepted. Congratulations, you’re now on the road to moving into your new home!
Our service
Now that you know our step by step process, how does our service impact your mortgage journey?
Specialist situations
At Newcastlemoneyman, we want you to have the easiest mortgage process possible and come out with a great mortgage deal. We also deal with specialist cases, so if you are struggling to get a mortgage through the traditional mortgage route, our service is in place to offer help when needed. Our mortgage advisors in Newcastle have been helping customers overcome complex cases for over 20 years now – we have the expertise at hand!
We’ve had customers in the past who’ve been turned away from their bank and we’ve still been able to get them a mortgage offer. We love a good challenge and our team would love to help anyone struggling applicant in a complicated mortgage situation.
Customer service
Customer service means everything to us, we want to ensure that you’re fully satisfied with every single part of our service.
Over our long history of working within the mortgage sector, we have accumulated a large number of customer reviews. We appreciate every bit of feedback that we receive, it really does keep us going!
Here are some examples of some customer experiences with Newcastlemoneyman:
Feel free to check out more of our reviews! On our reviews page, we have plenty more for you to look at. You may even come across a customer that’s been in the same situation as you.
Speak to a Mortgage Advisor in Newcastle
Now that you’ve learnt more about our service, it’s your job to get in touch. We are available 7 days a week, therefore, you can choose when to contact us.
You should take advantage of our free consultation. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or moving home in Newcastle, we recommend taking this free service!
Help to Buy Armed Forces Scheme Explained
The government found that these schemes were becoming more and more popular so began creating more schemes to try and help struggling applicants get onto the property ladder. Although most of the schemes target first time buyers, they created a new scheme that was exclusively aimed at armed forces personnel. This scheme also comes under the ‘Help to Buy’ umbrella, being named the Help to Buy Armed Forces scheme.
Help to Buy Mortgage Advice in Newcastle
The scheme is quite simple. It allows regular or retired armed force personnel to borrow up to 50% of their salary, interest-free, to buy a home. This can be used to purchase your first home or to move home if you are assigned to a different location or your family circumstances have changed.
From 1 January 2023, The Forces Help to Buy Scheme will become an enduring policy, ensuring its availability to all service personnel now and in the future. The scheme has an aim to address the low rate of homeownership amongst armed forces personnel.
Who can access the scheme?
However, there are some limitations to the scheme. You can only access the scheme if you’ve completed your pre-requisite length of service, have more than 6 months left to serve at the time that you apply or if you match the correct medical categories.
There may be some scenarios where there are exceptions to the who can and who can’t access the scheme. Usually, this relates to personal circumstances or other medical conditions.
How much can I borrow?
Strictly, you can only borrow up to 50% of your annual salary, with the maximum being £25,000. It’s likely that this is going to be more than enough for a deposit, so you can use the rest on other expenses, e.g. solicitor, surveyor or estate agency fees.
How do I apply for the scheme?
As a Mortgage Broker in Newcastle, we do offer our help in getting a mortgage through the Help to Buy Armed Forces scheme. Alternatively, you can seek advice by approaching your chain of command or personnel agency.
If you are interested in the Armed Forces scheme, feel free to get in touch with our team for advice. If you’ve previously owned a property, it may be worth getting in touch to see whether you qualify or not. Even if you are a First Time Buyer in Newcastle, it may be worth checking anyway!
Help to Buy Mortgage Schemes
Help to Buy Mortgage Advice in Newcastle
Following the credit crunch in 2008, the government proposed a plan to help the mortgage market get back up on its feet. Part of the plan included the introduction of the Help to Buy schemes.
Help to Buy schemes are quite self-explanatory, they are government-led schemes that Help you to Buy a property. There are limitations to each scheme and you’ll have to qualify for them first before you can take advantage of them.
Each scheme is different in its own way. Depending on your personal and financial situation, you may match for more than one scheme, however, you’ll probably only ever find one most beneficial for you.
Help to Buy Shared Ownership
The Help to Buy Shared Ownership scheme is very different to the rest of the government schemes. The scheme allows applicants to own part of a property and then pay the rest back on rent.
For Shared Ownership, you will usually own between 25% and 75% of the property. In some cases, we’ve seen applicants being allowed to purchase as little as 10%. Whatever the percentage is that you don’t own, it will likely be owned by the housing association. The share that you own can be increased earlier. we usually find applicants wanting to do this once they have more money or have settled in.
Shared Ownership lets you pay your mortgage as well as rent. The way that this works is that you essentially pay 100% of the ground rent and service charge on the property. This is still the same, even if you only own a 25% share of the property.
Help to Buy Armed Forces
From 1 January 2023, The Forces Help to Buy Scheme becomes an enduring policy, ensuring its availability to all service personnel now and in the future. Introducing this scheme created an even better way for Armed Forces personnel to get onto the property ladder, as the scheme is specifically targeted at them.
You have to qualify for the scheme first before you can access it. The requirements are as follows:
– You have to have completed the pre-requisite length of service
– You can also apply if you have at least 6 months of serving time left
– However, you can also get accepted if you fit into the right medical categories
– Your personal circumstances will also be considered
The scheme allows you to borrow up to 50% of your annual salary; the maximum that you can borrow being £25,000. If you want to learn more about the Armed Forces Helpt to Buy scheme, you should check on the government’s website. Alternatively, you get in touch with a Mortgage Broker in Newcastle like ourselves.
Bonus Scheme: Lifetime ISA
We’ve considered this more of a ‘bonus’ scheme because it isn’t a Help to Buy scheme it’s a government-led scheme. The scheme can be used for one of two, to buy your first home or to save for later in life. As a Mortgage Broker in Newcastle, we offer help and guidance to those looking to utilise this scheme to buy their first property. The video below explains how the scheme can help a First Time Buyer in Newcastle like you.
The Lifetime ISA (Independent Savings Account) is simply a savings account where your money grows tax-free. The total amount that you put in each year will be topped by the government up by an extra 25%. The maximum that you can put into the account each year is £4,000. This means that you get an extra £1,000 if you manage to save £4,000 each year.
If you want to withdraw your money, as long as you’ve had the ISA for a year, you can do so. However, if you take money from the account and don’t use it to purchase your first home, you’ll be charged a 25% withdrawal fee. Although, if you decide to use it on your first home, you won’t be charged a single penny.
Of course, you have to pass the scheme’s criteria before you can start your Lifetime ISA account. To find out more, feel free to check out the government’s Lifetime ISA page, or contact us at Newcastlemoneyman. We can’t wait to hear from you and help you through your process.
What are the 7 best places to live in Newcastle?
The best areas to live in Newcastle
Once you get it in your head that you’ve had enough of your property, it’s hard to move on from the thought of Moving Home. Whilst Moving Home is on your mind, have you ever thought about where you’d like to live?
As a Mortgage Broker in Newcastle, we’ve seen many First Time Buyers and Home Movers that haven’t even thought about where to start when it comes to looking at where to live. To help you get started with this, we’ve created a list of our best places to live in Newcastle.
1 – Fenham
This large residential area is a wonderful place to live in Newcastle upon Tyne. Fenham is located just 2 miles away from the city centre, allowing quick access to city life through strong transport links. Whether you are a walker, biker, bus rider or driver, you’ll find yourself at the heart of the city in under 10 minutes.
Fenham offers a wide range of local amenities to enjoy. You’ll find a town hall, a barracks, a community and leisure centre, shops, restaurants, bars and pubs. Having lots of things to do has allowed Fenham to become quite the hotspot for First Time Buyers in Newcastle.
Its popularity could also be related to student accommodation there. Fenham has become a busy student area; it’s located just 10 minutes from the University of Newcastle itself. St Mary’s College has since served as student accommodation since its initial closing in 1984.
Housing types in Fenham vary. For example, you’ll find terraced, semi-detached and detached all with reasonable prices. Here’s a fun fact for you… Ant and Dec were born in the Fenham area!
If Fenham sounds like the place that could fulfil your home buying needs, feel free to get in touch and we can help you get the Moving Home process started.
2 – Jesmond
Jesmond is thought to be one of the most affluent areas within Newcastle and its surrounding areas. It’s a grand, reputable suburb with a high population and lively local atmosphere. We mention this first as Jesmond is renowned for its dining, late-night bars and cafes.
Meanwhile, if you prefer the quieter side of life, you’ll realise that there are lots of other things things to enjoy in Jesmond; this includes garden and riverside walks, parks, museums and more. Activities like this will allow you to take a break from city life and relax outside. Jesmond Dene is one of Jesmond’s greatest outdoor attractions; you’ll find rivers and waterfall to walk by, picnics spaces, playgrounds for the children, a cafe and even an open-air theatre.
The housing types that are available in Jesmond vary, however, you’ll find that most of them are detached and semi-detached. Typically, housing prices in Jesmond are quite high, so if you’ve got the money and the funds in place to live here, you should definitely consider it as a main option.
3 – Heaton
Heaton is a large suburb on the outskirts of Newcastle. It sits just 2 miles from the city centre itself. The area has become a very popular choice for home buyers; from students to younger and older families, Heaton is home to all different kinds of people.
There are lots of things to do in Heaton. If you like your musical and theatre, you’re in luck as Heaton is home to the People’s Theatre that hosts up to 12 productions per year! Furthermore, just down the road, you will find the Sage, an iconic music venue in Heaton. At the Sage, you’ll find all different kinds of genres performing: jazz, classical, folk, country and even the blues.
To highlight even more of Heaton’s best bits, let’s talk about food and drink. In Heaton, you’ll find plenty of food and drink options, there are delicacies from all over the world available. For example, there are Italian restaurants, Punjabi cuisines and of course, plenty of Fish and Chips. Most of these are located on Chillingham Road. Here you’ll find a long parade of cafes, restaurants, bars, shops and even the Metro Station.
Heaton is a fun and lively place to live, making it the perfect place for homeowners that have a family or are planning to start one. This is also why we love it!
4 – North & South Shields
We were going to put only one of the shields on our list, but then we realised that we couldn’t do that!
Both small coastal towns sit right on the edge of Newcastle Upon Tyne, overlooking the sea. Both locations offer peaceful coastline walks and a very British feel. Even though they always argue which town is better, both Tyneside towns love their local area and wouldn’t want to live anyway else. From funfairs on the front to popular shopping centres and outlets on the outskirts of the towns, there is always something to do in North and South Shields.
There are strong transport links into Newcastle City Centre in both towns, so you can easily access the heart of the city in under 20 minutes. That’s if you would rather be in the centre over the beach!
5 – Chopwell
Located within the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead, to the west of Rowlands Gill and the north of Hamsterley, Chopwell is a small village with a rich history dating back to at least 1150, as shown in a document involving the famous Bishop Pudsey, who served under King Richard I.
The area also has a history in the mining industry, as was prominent with much of Tyne & Wear around those times. The Chopwell Colliery was eventually closed and part of the site was turned into the Chopwell Meadows Nature Reserve. If you are a mountain biking enthusiast, you’ll surely make great use of the Powerlines Mountain Biking Trail in the local area, a spot that finds people from all over the region coming to have a go at the 2.5-mile route on offer.
For a smaller location with industrial history and opportunities for leisure activities, Chopwell could be an ideal place to move to and call home.
6 – Gosforth
Gosforth is a Newcastle city suburb situated to the north of Central Newcastle. There is a rich history in the area, with some of the first recordings of the area noted in 1166. Over the centuries, there have been historical townships within the area, mining collieries and numerous archaeological discoveries including a Roman Altar.
Within the area itself, you’ll find the notable building The Regent Centre, a business complex housing HM Revenue & Customs, as well as others. You’ll also find various private schools and a secondary school Academy, great for families who are planning ahead for their children’s future. There’s a fantastic high street including various noteworthy, well-established businesses, including large supermarkets and even a local shopping centre, cafes and even some local pubs.
For a thriving local scene, high street shopping options, great opportunities for raising a family and a rich history, Gosforth might be an area worth taking the time to look into and possibly even call home.
7 – Quayside
Situated along the banks of the River Tyne, joining Newcastle & Gateshead together, is the wonderful area known as The Quayside. In the past, The Quayside was an industrial and commercial dockside, also home on the Newcastle side to a regular street market. On this side, you’ll also find some restaurants, bars and nightclubs, as well as some fantastic housing opportunities.
On the opposing side, signposted as Gateshead Quays, you’ll find a contemporary art centre, as well as a performing arts and conference centre. Joining the two city centres is the famous Gateshead Millenium Bridge, a pedestrian bridge opened in 2001. There is also a low-level Swing Bridge allowing further pedestrian and even road access to either side. If you like areas rich in history and culture, with easy access to two different city centres and some great housing, The Quayside might be the area in and around Newcastle that appeals to you the most.
First Time Buyer Mortgage Advice in Newcastle
Even if our list only gave you some pointers on where to start looking, we hope that it helped. More often than not, First Time Buyers don’t have a clue on where to start!
If you are looking for First Time Buyer Mortgage Advice in Newcastle, then you should get in touch with our team. We are very experienced in helping applicants that want to move home, in fact, we’ve helped thousands of home movers just like you over our years in the industry.
For a free mortgage consultation in Newcastle, contact us today.
