How Much Can I Borrow For A Mortgage in Newcastle?

Experienced Mortgage Advisors in Newcastle

“Can I get a mortgage in my situation?” and “How much can I borrow?” are two of the most frequent questions we find that we are asked by First Time Buyers in Newcastle & people who are Moving Home in Newcastle.

In this article, we take a look at the latter of those two questions;

How Much Can I Borrow?

It would be nice to sit and draw out some specific guaranteed figures, but that of course can’t quite work in this setting.

Everybody has a unique case to them and this amount will usually be different depending on what your situation is.

We can however reflect upon how this may be worked out by the mortgage lender, compared to how it was worked out in the past.

Nowadays Approach

In 2014, following on from the mortgage and property markets recovering, the regulator launched the Mortgage Market Review (MMR).

This was a set of brand new guidelines that lenders had to follow, factoring in things like household spending habits.

Prior to 2014, two applicants who were earning the same income could borrow more or less the same amount, no matter what they were each spending.

Once it had changed, it was more about looking in-depth at what you were spending each month and why.

As an example of this, you could be earning the same amount, but have additional costs like childcare costs, which your counterpart may not.

This means they are likely to have access to more than you would from most lenders. There is still a “cap” to prevent the majority of mortgage lenders from going past so much of your annual income.

We regularly find ourselves being surprised by the variations between mortgage lenders. For example, some lenders have been known to penalise low earners, whilst others see pension contributions as a fixed outgoing.

Both of these factors can have an impact on the amount you’re able to borrow for your mortgage.

Of course, whilst it may be more streamlined nowadays, how did we get this far? Why is it the way it is?

Historic Rules

Way back when, in the 80s and 90s, there was not a whole lot of technological intervention in the way the mortgage process worked.

How you would go about it, is you would make an appointment with your Building Society Manager who would then encourage you to a bank and save with them if you already weren’t doing so.

This would allow them to gauge if you were creditworthy. If you were, they would give you something akin to an Agreement in Principle, followed by mortgage advice and an outline of how much you could borrow.

You could argue this was a highly personalised, common-sense approach. The issue, however, was the inconsistent decision-making as the Building Society Manager would interpret the guidelines and the criteria in their own way.

Looking to get rid of the inconsistencies and to cut the costs involved, lenders moved to automated affordability calculations. This resulted in multiplier caps being applied so that managers could no longer lend more than a specific amount.

As the 2000s continued onwards, mortgage lenders were becoming more generous in how much they would lend an applicant. Some even offer self-certified mortgages, which required no background checks at all.

In 2008, as we likely all remember, the market crashed. This eventually led to a difficult couple of years for those trying to buy a home. Mortgage lenders tightened up on lending and became a lot more cautious in their lending habits.

This leads us back to the aforementioned 2014 MMR and where we thankfully are today.

Fast & Friendly Mortgage Advice

If you are looking to maximise your borrowing capacity to buy your home, you will benefit from taking on the services of an experienced mortgage broker in Newcastle.

Our team of expert mortgage advisors in Newcastle will be able to analyse your situation and work out your finances to ensure that the repayments feel comfortable to you.

The Costs of Buying a Home in Newcastle

It is known that buying a property can be one of the most significant financial commitments of your life which is why you must be aware of what you’re expecting to pay for. All the additional costs can accumulate to a large lump sum and if you aren’t careful, you could be overpaying in some areas than you initially thought.

Below we have provided a full breakdown and look into the costs of buying a property in Newcastle along with the costs involved with property investment.

Mortgage Advice in Newcastle for First Time Buyers

If you are a first time buyer in Newcastle and are looking for a simple breakdown of each cost and given estimated value to each. On the flip side, those who are looking to move home in Newcastle will benefit from this as it can be a great refresher to prepare accordingly.

Valuation Fees

When you’ve had an offer accepted, your lender will perform a valuation on the property, this assessment will determine multiple factors like structural damage, property age, location etc. By doing this, they can ensure that your offer matches the ‘actual’ value of the property.

Valuations can differ with some business models offering a free valuation whereas others may charge hundreds of pounds. Sometimes, a free valuation may be included in another cost or a freebie for taking out a certain product.

As well as this, there is a large variety of valuations, some being more expensive depending on which one you need. For instance, a full building survey will be required for those purchasing an older property and will be more expensive than someone who’s bought a new build.

Mortgage Arrangement Fees

In some situations, a lender may charge you for taking out a mortgage with them. This is usually the case with products with the cheapest rates. Not all mortgages come with an arrangement fee, however, this comes down to the product and lender you could be charged up to £2,000.

Some applicants can choose between paying the arrangement fee upfront or adding them to the mortgage balance. If you choose to add them to your mortgage, you may incur further interest charges. As a Specialist Mortgage Broker in Newcastle, we can search 1000’s of mortgage products to find you the most suitable deal for your circumstances with minimal additional costs.

Solicitor’s Fees

You’ll need a solicitor to arrange the legal side of the mortgage process. The fees quoted by various firms may differ significantly. An estimated amount for a low-value property could set you back £600. You will provide the solicitor with the new property’s address, whether it’s leasehold or freehold. You’ll also need to provide the purchase price to obtain quotations. Additionally, make sure that:

• The firm includes VAT.
• The cost of any “disbursements are included.” These are fees such as Land Registry Fees and Local Authority Search Fees.
• Is your solicitor on your mortgage lenders panel?

Estate Agency Fees

Only when you decide to sell your property in Newcastle you’ll be faced with estate agent fees. Alongside property prices these fees are rising, you may expect to be paying between 1-2% of the property price.

If you are looking to sell your property, the lowest amount is usually £500. If you are looking for a more personalised service you may be expected to pay more.

Stamp Duty

Stamp duty is a tax that the solicitor will collect upon the competition of the property purchase, in addition to your solicitor’s fees and disbursements. More information regarding stamp duty can be found here.

Broker fees

A Mortgage Broker in Newcastle will usually charge a fee for their service. These fees will be discussed upfront so that you know what you’re paying for and how much your case is going to cost. We recommend trying to use a trusted pen and honest Mortgage Broker in Newcastle that charges upon completion only. Avoid any application fees where your money will be at risk.

Book your free appointment online to speak to a Mortgage Advisor in Newcastle today

Removal Fees

The cost of moving all of your household items to another property can vary depending on the service you want, how far you’re moving and how much stuff you have.

If you are happy to hire a van and transport your belongings to your new house by yourself, the service will cost significantly less. Whereas if you prefer to pay for the full service and get someone to pick up their belongings and help them move. Some local services may charge several hundred depending on circumstances.

Moving Home Mortgage Advice in Newcastle

The Pros & Cons Of Using A Mortgage Broker in Newcastle

Finding your footing on the property ladder for the first time, or jumping in once again at the end of your fixed term, can feel a little daunting at times.

There are plenty of routes these days for homeowners and home buyers to take for themselves, but you ideally want to get it right first time, especially with so much money involved.

Of course, we firmly believe that our service as a mortgage broker in Newcastle, will benefit all during their mortgage process, especially first-time buyers in Newcastle.

Whilst we are confident in our ability to assist our customers, we also understand that it is not for everyone and some may still be unsure of how we can help.

As such, we have put together a balanced overview of why coming to a mortgage broker in Newcastle may benefit you in some cases, as well as why sometimes you may prefer to go direct to the mortgage lender instead.

What are the pros & cons of using a mortgage broker in Newcastle?

Cost-Effectiveness

In the minds of many, you are much more likely to save money by going direct and finding your own mortgage deal. This isn’t entirely untrue, as a mortgage broker in Newcastle may charge a fee, though this is very much circumstantial.

If you’re experienced in doing it yourself, have a straightforward case and knowledge of lender criteria, by all means this will be easier and more cost-effective. The downside to this comes with more complex cases and people who don’t understand the lender criteria.

Without the know-how, you could either end up on the wrong deal, or unsuccessfully applying for a mortgage deal. Both of these situations could result in you spending more money than you have to, or damaging your credit score, harming your chances of applying for a mortgage in the future.

A trusted mortgage advisor in Newcastle will always aim to get their recommendation right first time, at the cheapest deal they can find. Whilst again, this may come with a service fee, you could be saving yourself a lot more money in the long run.

Local Bank Branch Relationships

Another point that many older customers think works in the favour of the bank directly, is the way the mortgage process was previously run. Before the rise of technology and online banking, you would be a loyal customer of your local branch regularly, often speaking to the same people.

When it came to a mortgage, you would sit with the bank manager themselves, who would “know your finances inside and out”, and they would be the one to approve a mortgage for you. A lot has changed since then though, and credit scoring is now all done digitally.

That means the bank manager won’t personally run through your case. Instead your case will be run against a complex online system, to determine whether or not you qualify for a mortgage. These days, everyone gets a fair shot, no matter which bank you are with.

Exclusive Mortgage Products

Tying into the previous point, many believe that you can get better, exclusive deals only by going direct. Once again, this is somewhat true, but only part of the story. See, they can offer great deals, but only from their own company.

The problem here is that not all mortgage lenders are banks and there are lots of different options out there to choose from. The best deal your bank can offer, might not be the best deal overall that you could’ve gone with.

That’s once again, where it is beneficial taking out mortgage advice in Newcastle. A dedicated mortgage advisor will be able to run through your case, and match you up to a suitable deal with one of the many lenders they have on panel, rather than from just one source.

It’s also worth noting on the topic of exclusivity, that you may also find deals with a mortgage broker in Newcastle, that you can’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, looking to remortgage in Newcastle or have a more specialist case, there will be more options for you when going with a mortgage broker.

Changes to Regulation & Consumer Protection

Following the 2007-08 credit crunch, the mortgage market needed an overhaul. As outlined in the 2014 Mortgage Market Review, lenders were no longer able to sell mortgages to their customers on a non-advised basis.

What this meant, was that you couldn’t just walk into a bank, tell them you want a mortgage and be granted it without any checks. You also couldn’t be granted a mortgage by anyone in the bank, as this was something that would happen regularly, whether they were qualified to do so or not.

In addition to this, these changes also brought about consumer protection, that a bank otherwise wouldn’t have given you. You now have the right to complain to the Financial Ombudsman if you feel mis-advised in any way. You also can make a claim via the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

This is a tick in the column for both mortgage broker and mortgage lender alike, as it means no matter which journey you take, you’ll be safe, secure and professionally advised.

Booking an Appointment with a Mortgage Advisor in Newcastle

One area where the mortgage lenders fall short and the mortgage brokers excel, is that it can sometimes literally take months to try and speak with someone at a bank. Once you have made that contact and started your process, you’re not always guaranteed to be kept in the loop.

A unique selling point of our own, is that we are able to speak with you at times that best suit you and your schedule. Our mortgage advisors in Newcastle are here from morning until late, every single day of the week, including weekends. You might also find us working on some bank holidays too!

If you’re lucky, you might find yourself with an appointment on the same day, but that also doesn’t have to be the case. Want to speak with someone in a few days time? You are more than welcome to do so!

These advisors have time slots that best suit your lifestyle. Work 9-5 and need to speak with someone later that evening? We’ve got you covered! The best part is that with our online booking feature, it’s never been easier to speak with a qualified mortgage advisor!

Further to this, we pride ourselves on being responsive with our customers. This means no matter what stage of the mortgage process you’re in, you will always be kept in the loop. If there are any changes, your advisor will let you know as soon as they are able to do so.

It’s because of mortgage brokers in Newcastle like us, offering this level of customer service, that the public perception of mortgage brokers has changed. This has led to more people than ever getting in touch with their local experts, rather than going to the big banks.

Handling of Complex Scenarios

Sometimes a mortgage situation might be a bit more difficult than the average case. Frequent examples of this that we’ve encountered over the years, include (but are not limited to);

• Mixed Deposit (Savings & Gift) – This means auditing two different sources.
• Zero Hour Contract Workers – Will there be a consistent income?
• Wanting to Make a Second Purchase – Can they afford to make that additional purchase?
• Self-Employed with No Fixed Income – This is always a challenge for Self-Employed applicants.
• Poor Credit History – A lender will not look favourably upon an applicant who has mismanaged payments in the past.
• Affordability – Can they afford a mortgage full stop?

In the past, mortgage lenders could easily compete with one another by offering deals that were better than the other. Times have changed since then, and now the main difference in which deal you go with, is whether or not you match the criteria.

A deal might well be cheaper, but you may not be eligible for it. The mortgage lender will run either a hard search (leaves a footprint on your credit file) or soft search (leaves less of a footprint on your credit file), to see if you are indeed able to have that mortgage.

If you apply for the mortgage with a lender and are declined an agreement in principle, this will likely damage your credit file. Worst of all, it is very unlikely you will be given a reason as to why you were declined, which can be understandably frustrating.

On the flip side to this, a mortgage broker in Newcastle will be able to run through your case beforehand, making sure you’re good to go, and informing you of anything you need to do to better your chances of being accepted.

Using the lenders they have on panel, they’ll be able to match you with deals that you may well be eligible for and look to get you agreed in principle. Obtaining your agreement in principle through Newcastlemoneyman, will usually take no more than 24 hours of your free mortgage appointment.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to be agreed, nor does it guarantee a mortgage at the end, but it’s much safer for your credit file to have an expert comb through beforehand. As expert mortgage advisors in Newcastle, we always aim to get our recommendation right the first time.

In Conclusion; Should I use a mortgage broker in Newcastle?

Ultimately, it’s your choice. As you can see, there are indeed pros and cons to going with a mortgage broker in Newcastle. Conversely, there’s also plenty of pros and cons to going direct as well. It basically comes down to how quick you want your service to be, and how secure you want to be.

As a mortgage broker in Newcastle, led by 20+ year industry veteran Malcolm Davidson, we have helped thousands of customers with their mortgage goals. From first time buyers in Newcastle getting onto the property ladder, to people at the end of their fixed period, looking to remortgage in Newcastle, it’s safe to say we’ve done it all.

If you would like to speak with a responsive, open & honest, FCA regulated mortgage expert, feel free to book yourself in for a free mortgage appointment or remortgage review, with one of our fantastic mortgage advisors. We’re here to help with all your mortgage needs, with time slots that best suit you, subject to availability.

To learn more about our service, please feel free to take a look at our genuine customer reviews. They are a wonderful reflection of the levels of service we give to our happy customers, on a regular basis. If you would like to learn more about the world of mortgages, check out our YouTube Channel, MoneymanTV.

Buying Your Home as a Sitting Tenant in Newcastle

Through our years of giving our customers expert mortgage advice in Newcastle, our dedicated mortgage advisors have found that enquiries from renters interested in becoming First-Time Buyers in Newcastle are always on the rise. They can achieve this by purchasing their rental property from their landlord.

Newcastle has always been a popular place for people to call home and enjoy their life, however, many tenants who are already living there find it quite a bit challenging to own their own home there.

With changes always happening to taxes, it’s looking ever positive for tenants of properties who are looking to purchase the place they already occupy.

Many landlords look to sell properties in their portfolio through various standard means like an estate agent, though you’ll find that there are some out there who are also willing to sell their houses to the whoever is already living in the property in question.

If you are living in a rental property and would like to purchase it from your buy-to-let landlord, it is definitely recommended that you discuss the offer with them directly on a priority basis.

Why are landlords happy to sell their houses to the existing tenants?

One of the main factors as to why more tenants now have the ability to purchase their home from their Landlord, is because of changes the government made previously, in order to crack down on tax relief relating to Buy to Let purchases.

The changes that they made took effect over the course of 4 years, and the impact of these changes are now being seen as Landlords receive their tax bills.

The temptation of the profit margins in buying and selling properties has always been something that attracts landlords as joining the property industry can come with great reward.

This profit is why a lot of different property investors chose to instead tackle the taxes head on and enjoy the the great profits that came from being involved in the property market.

Though there are positives regarding the industry, there are also negatives, with these changes being a major factor as to why some landlords have previously and still continue to leave the world of property investing and move onto something else.

A lot of the reasons have been noted for this happening including complications with tax, financial demands, and even the mental stress of trying to take on such risky deals.

If you are a tenant of a property owned by a landlord and are willing to buy your home, your landlord may very well be open to selling the property to you. Often these sales come with deals too.

These deals occur as there will be generally be no need for estate agents to get involved, as well as various other external services, meaning the landlord is likely to save some money.

Benefits For The Landlord

Maintaining Steady Rent Income

Perhaps a landlord is looking to sell his house, and the tenant takes quite a long time to leave the property. Whilst this is going on, it can mean that there may be a lapse in income for the landlord, due to no rent.

If a sitting tenant agrees to buy the property from the landlord, the transition of ownership will be a lot smoother and so will be flow of income to the landlord.

This is because the landlord will keep getting rent from the tenant until the deal is finalised, at which point he will receive the full payment for the property.

Decreased Refurbishment Costs

If the tenant of the property decides to move out and takes everything with them, the landlord will have to inspect every little detail of the house and make any necessary repairs.

If you consider the various costs of bringing in painters and cleaners, as well as anyone else that is needed to make repairs, this can be quite financially draining to the landlord.

They can save a lot of money on all of these expenses if the tenant decides to buy the house, because they already live there and will be willing to buy the property as is. Because of this, the landlord won’t have to fork out on many of the expenses they otherwise would’ve.

Benefits For The Tenant

With this sort of process, there are many different perks for the tenant. You know the property inside and out, knowing exactly what needs work.

Any non-tenant purchases run a risk of any issues going unfixed and unreported, only cropping up once they’ve already bought it.

In those cases, you can end up spending a lot of money to fix any of the problems with the property.

Freedom Of Choice

Buying the property allows you the freedom to make any of the changes (so long as planning permission is approved when required) that your landlord may have otherwise not agreed to.

Again, you may require authorisation from the council to make additions to your land, but for the most part you will be able to do whatever you want.

No Stress Of Moving

If you have been a tenant for years on end, always moving between properties, you know about the difficulties of waiting for the person in front of you to move, so that you can move in.

In these instances, the previous tenants may have struggled to find another house, or are ready to move but they too are waiting on someone else. Buying the property you already live in can be a way to avoid this.

First-Time Buyer Mortgage Advice in Newcastle

How Much Deposit Do I Need To Buy A House in Newcastle?

Deposit Mortgage Advice in Newcastle

Your mortgage deposit will generally need to be for at least 5% of the value of the property you are buying in. For example, if you are looking to purchase a home in Newcastle that costs £180,000, you will need to save up a minimum deposit of £9,000.

Ideally, however, you should aim to save more than 5%, as the more significant the deposit you can build up, the more comprehensive your choice of mortgage options will be. You may also benefit from lower and often better mortgage rates.

Why is a deposit necessary when buying in Newcastle? 

In the past, it was common to find 100% mortgages. Back then, Northern Rock were offering 125% loan to value mortgages, meaning if you were purchasing a property valued at £180,000, they would lend you up to £225,000.

The reason why lenders need a deposit is to reduce the risks when they are lending. If they lend you 100% of the purchase price and you happened to fail to keep up monthly repayments, they would then have to take possession of the property. All it takes is a slight dip in house prices for them to be at a loss.

Look at it from a Lender’s perspective, if you can’t save up for, or get help to make up at least a 5% deposit for a property, then you probably aren’t quite ready to take that step onto the property ladder.

Is a 5% deposit enough?

Generally, 5% is enough for most mortgage types. Although it does vary on the lender, some will accept only a 5% deposit. To access a 95% deal, 9 times out of ten you’ll need to have a good credit score. There are lenders out there that may consider you for a 95% mortgage with a lower credit score, but the interest rate might be higher.

How much deposit do I need for a Buy-to-Let property?

It has always been necessary for the Landlord to put down a larger deposit for Buy-to-Let Mortgages, and most lenders at the moment are looking for at least 25%.

Can I take out a loan for the deposit?

In theory, this could be possible, but most lenders won’t let you do this, as essentially, this would still be 100% lending, which no longer exists due to the aforementioned risk involved with such a venture.

Can someone gift me a deposit?

Yes, this happens constantly. You might have heard the term the “Bank of Mum and Dad” (both birth and adopted parents, as well as carers & legal guardians) gifting the deposit or other family members such as Aunties & Uncles. 

As long as they can evidence the funds, prove who they are and confirm they are not expecting repayment of the gift at any point in time. For more information, we check out our article all about Gifted Deposit in Newcastle. 

Are there any circumstances where I don’t need a deposit?

If you are buying as a sitting tenant and your Landlord or family member has given you a discount from the open market value, or if you qualify for a discount under the Right to Buy scheme. Then typically, you don’t need to put any of your own money in as a deposit. This is due to the equity being already “built-in” in the deal.

What is a Gifted Deposit Mortgage?

What is a Gifted deposit?

A Gifted deposit can be either a portion of or the full amount of a deposit that is Gifted to you by a family member or friend, with an agreement that it is a loan and you don’t need to repay the money. 

How can Gifted deposits help?

Gifted Deposits are useful for when you have enough money to cover your monthly repayments but can’t afford the initial deposit on the property, maybe down to a smaller salary or possibly something else. Having more Gifted Deposit available may present you with options for better rates from a lender.

Who can gift the deposit?

Generally speaking, it is your parents who can gift you the deposit. This is acceptable both birth and adopted parents. You may see this mentioned online as the “Bank of Mum & Dad”, though there are potential other family members who could also be considered as options for a Gifted Deposit.  This depends on individual lenders though, so would require care when trying to find the right mortgage lender.

If the person gifting you a deposit is over the age of 55, they may be able to help you out through taking out a Lifetime Mortgage and an Equity Release in Newcastle.

Do your parents know you need help?

We often find that clients don’t always know that their parents can help with their mortgage, or if they do, they don’t feel like they can ask them for help. The truth of the matter is that most parents are more than happy to help their children in any way they can in getting on the property ladder.

It’s widely believed that taking out a mortgage is a better option than renting, due to you being able to potentially pay less per month. Your deposit can often come from inheritance, although parents have been known to gift it earlier on in life, especially if they already have enough saved or have released equity from their own home.

Gifted Deposit v loans

The majority of lenders won’t accept a loan as a means of funding your deposit. This is down to the uncertainty that you’d have enough disposable income to pay back both the loan and the mortgage at the same time.

Is there a maximum or minimum gifted amount?

There is no maximum limit on the amount someone can gift you, though there are at least a few lenders that will insist you put in at least 5% deposit from your own funds.

Who can benefit from a Gifted Deposit?

If you are a First-Time Buyer in Newcastle or Moving Home in Newcastle, a Gifted Deposit will be greatly beneficial to you. It can also be useful when in conjunction with a Help-to-Buy in Newcastle. This is because the required 5% deposit, depending on the lender you go with, is acceptable to be paid via Gifted Deposit.

What proof is required?

Typically, all lenders will require a Gifted Deposit form. Depending on your lender, you may be asked to provide further proof of these funds, such as the donor’s ID or bank statements.

The Different Types of Mortgages Explained

The Different Types of Mortgage

From First-Time Buyer Mortgages in Newcastle to Moving Home in Newcastle, to Remortgages in Newcastle – When you start out looking for a mortgage it will quickly become apparent that you have a whole array of mortgage types available for you to choose from.

Below you will see a list of the most popular types of mortgages we encounter on a regular basis that are available on the market.  If you have any questions regarding one of these mortgage options, then please do not hesitate to contact us and an experienced mortgage advisor in Newcastle will be in touch to see how they can help you get the ball rolling.

What is a Fixed Rate Mortgage?

A fixed rate mortgage means that your mortgage payments are going to remain as they were for the length of time that has been agreed on between you and the lender. You are the one who can set the length of which you want to fix your payments for, with the usual options customer opting for being 2, 3 or 5 years or longer.

Regardless of what happens to inflation, interest rates or the economy, you can rest assured that your monthly mortgage repayments, usually your biggest financial outgoings each month, will remain as you are used to, providing financial stability for you.

What is a Tracker Mortgage?

A tracker mortgage means that your interest rate will follow along with the Bank of England’s base rate. What this basically means, is the lender that you are with is not the one who sets your mortgage rate and you will be paying a percentage above the Bank of England base rate.

In an example, if the base rate is 2% and you are tracking at 1% above base rate, that means you will be paying a rate of 3%.

What is a Repayment Mortgage?

When you take out a repayment mortgage this means that each month you are paying a combination of both interest and capital.

So as long as you are able to keep up your monthly mortgage repayments for the full length of the mortgage term, the mortgage balance is guaranteed to be paid off at the end and the property will then become yours completely.

This is the most risk-free way to pay your capital back to a mortgage lender. In the early years of your mortgage term, it is mainly the interest that you are paying and your balance will reduce at a very slow rate, especially if you have taken out a mortgage that stretches over 25, 30 or more years.

This situation then changes in the last ten years of your mortgage, where your payments are paying off more capital than interest and the balance will be reducing at a much quicker rate than it was at first.

What is an Interest Only Mortgage?

Most buy to let mortgages are set up on an interest-only basis, however, landlords may find it much more difficult to get a residential property with this type of mortgage.

Nowadays, finding a lender who is willing to offer this will be hard to come by, though there are certain circumstances where this can be an option. These include downsizing your home when you are older or have other investments what you will use in order to pay back the capital.

Lenders are very strict when it comes to offering these products now and the loan to values are a lot lower than they were in previous years.

What is an Offset Mortgage?

With an offset mortgage, the lender will set you up a savings account to go alongside your existing mortgage account.

How this works is that let’s say you have a mortgage balance of £100,000 and £20,000 is deposited into your savings account, then you will only pay interest on the difference, which in this case would be £80,000.

This can be a very efficient way of managing your money, especially if you are a taxpayer that pays much higher rates than others.

Obtaining a Mortgage Agreement in Principle in Newcastle

An agreement in principle, also known as a mortgage in principle or decision in principle, is where you pass a mortgage lenders credit score in order to get one step closer to obtaining a mortgage.

Once you have obtained your agreement in principle and have enquired about first time buyer mortgage advice in Newcastle, you are ready to go forth and make an offer on a property you wish to live in.

Having an agreement in principle to hand can be a big help for first time buyers in Newcastle, helping them to negotiate a lower asking price. This will show a seller that you are serious about buying a property and are ready to proceed.

Will obtaining an agreement in principle in Newcastle affect my credit score?

We find that nowadays, customers are much more aware of what is good for their credit scores but importantly, what is bad for them too. One of the things we know more about these days is that people are more aware of how credit searches work and how it can impact their credit score.

Of course, anyone that applies for credit will find themselves having a credit search taken out on them, to make sure that they are creditworthy. This will apply to mortgages, personal loans, phone contracts, car finance, really anything that you can think of credit wise.

As an open & honest mortgage broker in Newcastle, we will not carry any credit checks of our own on you, though your mortgage advisor in Newcastle will ask for your permission on behalf of a mortgage lender, as they will be carrying one out on you.

Credit searches typically will be found in one of two different forms, being a hard search and a soft search.

What is a hard credit search?

A hard credit search gives a mortgage lender a much more detailed look at your credit file. Any company that is looking to have these taken out on you must ask for your permission before they do so, as although it won’t always, it can actually have an impact on your credit score.

The positive for any customer having a hard credit search taken out on them, is that this will give a mortgage lender the best overview of your financial circumstances. Nothing is guaranteed with mortgages, though if you pass these checks, you are in with a better chance of being successful.

Hard searches are much more likely to leave a credit footprint on your file, which is a record that a hard credit search has been taken out on you. If you are successful in these checks, it can have a boost to your credit score!

The downside though, is that even if you were successful, your footprint will not show this to anyone that looks at it, they’ll only see that it was done. For all they know, if you have taken out multiple, you could have failed previously or be applying multiple times! This in itself can affect mortgage success.

The reason for this happening, is that having multiple credit searches taken out on your name can often be interpreted as you applying for multiple credits at once, perhaps with you even failing and trying again, which not only harm your credit score, but doesn’t look good to a mortgage lender.

This isn’t to say that having a few taken out against you will be massively negative, it’s not a major worry for you, it’s just always best to make sure that you are cautious about what you are doing.

What is a soft credit search?

Quite the opposite to when a hard search is taken out on you, soft credit searches don’t go into as much depth, with them mostly being found with price comparison sites or as a means to verify your identity. We find that more and more mortgage lenders these days are using soft credit searches.

When you have a soft search taken out on you, the company that starts the search will not be able to see as much information as they would have by taking out a hard credit search on you. That being said, soft searches may also have less of an impact on your credit score as well.

Whilst less information is gained by doing one of these, if it all ends with you being given a mortgage agreement in principle, it really doesn’t matter which one is used on you.

Additionally, whereas financial institutions can see hard searches, soft searches are hidden, with them only being visible to you. That means in one circumstance, you may be unsuccessful with your application, but it won’t necessarily look too bad to another company.

Is an agreement in principle a guarantee that I will get the mortgage in Newcastle?

An agreement in principle will not guarantee that you are to be accepted for a mortgage application. The mortgage lender will need to see take a look at all of your documents, before an underwriter makes a decision on your mortgage future.

Agreements in principle tend to come with a lot of small print and we often find that customers ring us having being declined at full application stage.

You will need to provide ID to prove your identity, payslips to show how much you earn and bank statements to prove you are good at handling your finances, before a mortgage lender will offer your case for a mortgage in Newcastle. 

The required documents will be a little different for mortgage applicants who are looking to obtain a self employed mortgage in Newcastle.

Can I make an offer in Newcastle without an agreement in principle?

You do have the ability to make an offer without an agreement in principle, though this is not something we would recommend.

Any estate agent worth their weight in gold will want to make sure that someone who wants to apply for a mortgage, especially when they are applying for a first time buyer mortgage in Newcastle, has the means to go forward with the process. 

How long does it take to get an agreement in principle in Newcastle?

In most cases, we are able to get you an agreement in principle within 24 hours of your free mortgage appointment with a mortgage advisor in Newcastle. This is something we look to do for everyone that gets in touch with us and needs to obtain one.

How long does an agreement in principle last for in Newcastle?

An agreement in principle will usually expire after 30-90 days. Don’t worry though, just because you have got an agreement in principle, you aren’t obligated to buy the first house you see!

We think it’s a great idea for you to look at getting an agreement in principle as early as you possibly can, to avoid the disappointment of finding a house and then finding yourself declined for a mortgage after you have already had your heart set on it.

If your agreement in principle expires it’s easy enough to have that refreshed when you’re at the point of wanting to make an offer.

Nothing But Open & Honest Mortgage Advice in Newcastle

Mortgage Advisor in Newcastle

Business as usual

COVID-19 has had a noticeable effect on the mortgage market thus far, but that won’t stop us from providing the same level of Mortgage Advice in Newcastle our customers know and love. At Newcastlemoneyman, we are still working the same way we were before these hardships.

We still have hardworking Mortgage Advisors working remotely from their homes in order to answer all of your mortgage questions. Our number one aim is to ensure all customers have the option to speak to a Mortgage Advisor in Newcastle if they need to.

Recurring situations

You may be worried you’re unable to meet your monthly mortgage payments or you’ve reached the point where you are looking for a better remortgage deal. We have noticed that these two situations have been mentioned by quite a few customers.

As a Mortgage Broker in Newcastle, we would highly recommend speaking with one of our advisors before you go directly to the bank or lender. We’re able to assess your personal and financial situation, in order to recommend the best route for you to take.

We’ll do our best to help all those who come to us for help with their mortgage during these difficult months. We’re all in this together and look forward to you getting in touch.

Customer service

We’re still working through various different situations every day, keeping our business flowing as usual. We won’t let anything get in the way of us providing expert Mortgage Advice in Newcastle.

Customers have still been leaving excellent reviews over the last few weeks, something we’re incredibly proud of. We take great pride in our work and it warms our hearts to know that as a Mortgage Broker in Newcastle, we’ve done right by our customers.

Here is what a few customers have recently said about our service here at Newcastlemoneyman:

“Absolutely fantastic service from Chris setting up my application, to Kayleigh sorting out the right remortgage for me, nothing was too much trouble. Cannot recommend them enough for sorting this out in a timely manner and during this pandemic. Thank you to each and every one of you.” – Mandy H

“Brilliant service from Jonathan and Megan, very smooth process and they have secured me a great mortgage deal. Will highly recommend Newcastlemoneyman. Thank you.” – Daniel D

Speak to your Mortgage Advisor in Newcastle

Remember, we’re still available for you to get in touch 7 days of the week. Sincerely from everyone here at Newcastlemoneyman, we hope you’re safe and well. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

We won’t let anything get in our way, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak. It’s still our aim to help with all your mortgage problems, it wouldn’t be fair to just leave you confused and concerned. We’ll do our best to get you over these hurdles and through the mortgage process with ease.

Mortgage Advice in Newcastle

Brexit & The Effects on The Property Market in Newcastle

Fast & Friendly Mortgage Broker

With the Brexit deadline once again being extended, we’re thinking about what the next move is. With everything up in the air and uncertainty becoming the norm, it can be hard to find reliable advice about anything, including mortgages.

The Property Market and Brexit

We have found that many people are sitting on their hands when it comes to property. No-one is quite sure what right path is. As a result, people are potentially missing out on golden opportunities which could have benefitted them in the long-term.

With previous experience of how the market has been influenced by external factors such as national political issues, our Mortgage Advisors are looking towards the future to evaluate the potential outcomes for customers post-Brexit. And in our opinion, there is lots of pent-up demand out there.

Because of this, we are advising clients to research all their options. Especially if their current plan is to “wait and see” because that approach may not work out in their favour.

You Should Be Planning Ahead, Brexit or No Brexit

If you’re planning to move in 2020, then it would be advisable to chat with us sooner rather than later. Now is a great time to reach out to us and to look at getting your home valued because Estate Agents are quiet.

Getting your home prepared to go on the market typically takes a few weeks. This is because time is needed for 2 or 3 valuations, choosing your preferred Estate Agent, signing your agency agreement and getting the photos finalised. This can be a timely process and could, unfortunately, be delayed at any stage.

Furthermore, if everyone else looking to enter the market has the same “wait and see” mindset, it will work against you. By the time your home goes live, so will theirs. This means there are more houses on the market, meaning there are more options for a potential home buyer, therefore driving prices down.

Why

There a few benefits to getting ahead of the market and getting your home valued now.

• You’re prepared. Whatever happens with Brexit, you have all the information there available at your fingertips.
• There’s no obligation. By getting a valuation, you’re not committed to anything. The decision to sell is all yours.
• Improvements can be made. If you know the figures and the feedback regarding home improvements, you can decide what to carry out and you’re in no rush.

So, if you’re thinking of moving home in 2020 or the near future but are concerned about Brexit, contact us to discuss your mortgage options. We offer all customers a free no-obligation consultation.

Mortgage Advisor in Newcastle