Top Reasons Why You May Find it Difficult to Obtain a Mortgage in Grimsby
Expert Mortgage Advice in Grimsby
Obtaining a mortgage in Grimsby occasionally be quite challenging, especially for those who have never done so before. There are hundreds of different mortgage lenders out there all with their different lending criteria that you need to match up against.
We have been working within the mortgage industry for well over 20 years now, learning in that time the best ways to help a customer save both their time, and their money. After all, customer satisfaction is at the heart of what we do.
As a trusted and experienced mortgage broker in Grimsby, we have the knowledge to overcome most mortgage hurdles. We love taking on a good challenge, so even if it’s a situation we haven’t directly come across, it’s likely we’ll have gone through at least something similar before.
We specialise in providing expert Mortgage Advice in Grimsby. No matter if you are a First Time Buyer in Grimsby, looking at Moving Home or wanting Self-Employed Mortgage Advice in Grimsby, we are here to help you in any way we can!
Top Reasons That Make a Mortgage Challenging
Whilst it can go fairly smoothly for some, there are instances where obtaining a mortgage may become a challenge.
Our dedicated team of mortgage advisors in Grimsby will always work hard, using their knowledge to overcome as many mortgage hurdles as we can. Below we have put together a list of the most common situations we encounter with customers who are struggling to be accepted for a mortgage.
Income is Too Low
A mortgage lender will always want to know that you have a suitable income and are able to afford the monthly repayments on your mortgage. They will perform affordability checks, reviewing your income and outgoings, to make sure that a mortgage is right for you.
If a mortgage lender isn’t willing to accept you for a mortgage on the amount you need, you may need to look at putting down a higher deposit. Doing so will reduce the amount you need to borrow, possibly allowing for lower monthly repayments over a longer term.
Not Enough Deposit
Relating to the previous point, you may not be able to save enough for the initial deposit. Generally speaking, you will need between at least 5-10% to be in with a shot at obtaining a mortgage, though if you can go higher, this would be recommended.
The reason we recommend a higher deposit, is because it can open you up to much better deals, with a wider variety of mortgage lenders. Doing so will put you in a much better position than you otherwise would be.
Unfortunately not everyone can save the right amount, which will obviously put a halt on plans for the foreseeable, until that amount is saved. There are a few saving graces though, especially for first time buyers in Grimsby.
The first of these is the Bank of Mum & Dad, otherwise known as a gifted deposit. This is a gift, donated from a family member (typically parents, adopted parents, carers or legal guardians), allowing their loved one to get onto the property ladder.
This is an increasingly popular option, being a large factor into so many young people getting onto the property ladder these days. You must remember though that this is gift and not a loan, something which the lender will need to see in writing, along with proof of deposit.
The other helpful tool for first time buyers, is the government Help to Buy Equity Loan Scheme. The aim of this scheme is to boost a first time buyers deposit up to 25%, with a loan from the government.
So long as you have saved up 5% by yourself, the government will loan an additional 20%. This works within that 25% amount, so if you have 10%, they’ll loan you 15%. This too is a loan, and will need to be paid back.
Not having enough deposit initially can create challenges, but with the right help you may be able to still obtain a mortgage, especially if that is the only hurdle in your way and the rest of your case looks fine.
Poor Credit Score / Credit Problems
Credit score is one of the biggest factors in obtaining a mortgage. Whether it’s from a poor track record of handling credit, obtaining defaults and missing payments, or from simply not having enough of a credit score (common in younger applicants), this can present challenges.
We have a large panel of specialist lenders on panel, so even if your case is a little more complex, there may still be mortgage options for you, though they will often require a more substantial deposit from you, closer to at least 20%.
It’s not just things like defaults and missed payments that affects your credit score, as there are other aspects that may affect that also. Making sure all your addresses are in line is a common one some applicants forget about.
You should update all addresses to your current address and register on the electoral register, so that lenders are able to confirm you’re living where you say you are. Also, avoid applying for too many mortgages yourself, without speaking to an expert.
If you are applying for mortgages by yourself and constantly getting declined, this can seriously harm your credit score. There is the potential that one of these mortgage lenders will have been assessing you using a hard credit score.
A hard credit score, unlike a soft credit score, is a lot more in-depth but also leaves a visible footprint on your credit file. A mortgage broker in Grimsby will match you up with the right lender, so you don’t run the risk of this happening.
Speak to an Expert Mortgage Broker in Grimsby
As an experienced and reputable mortgage broker in Grimsby, we have lots of valuable experience and we know exactly what lenders are looking for in mortgage applicants.
We can talk you through some simple steps you can take to improve your chances of your mortgage application being successful.
These steps can be very simple and easy to do. Speaking to an expert mortgage advisor in Grimsby could get you a couple of steps closer to securing a mortgage deal.
Book your free mortgage appointment today and we’ll get the ball rolling on achieving mortgage success for you and your future home.
How to Improve your Credit Score in Grimsby?
Mortgage Advice in Grimsby
Your credit score is something that plays a significant factor in the process of submitting your application. This is because the likelihood of your application being successful lies in how high your credit score is. In some instances, this may not be the case because it is down to how the lenders go by their internal scoring systems.
Each lender’s criteria is data-driven and, it will develop over time. There is no need to worry if you have been unsuccessful with one lender as they will be more lenders who may be more accepting. Our mortgage advisors in Grimsby might be able to match you with the right lender so, get in touch so we can strive for the same thing you want- to get the best available deal.
There are a plethora of credit reference agencies within the UK with the most popular being Experian and Equifax. It’s best that you look into as many of these agencies as possible prior in order to get a more generalised overview. Check My File is a platform we suggest our customers use. It collates data from major agencies, including the aforementioned two, which then provides our customers with a broader view of how your credit score is performing. When you sign up, you will have a 30 day free trial on the platform then this will become a monthly fee of £14.99, however, your account can be cancelled at the end of the trial.
Try it FREE for 30 days, then £14.99 a month – cancel online anytime.
Below are some ways you can improve your credit score:
Keep Credit searches to a reasonable amount:
Carrying our multiple credit searches can have a detrimental effect on your score. The first thing you need to do when you have registered with one of the credit reference agencies is not to start applying for new items of credit. A simple search of comparing car insurance on a price comparison website can register unwanted credit searches.
Applying for more credit later can be a wise decision if you’re applying for a mortgage anytime soon. Borrowing credit and paying it back later works out in the long run and lenders don’t want to see this just before you apply for a mortgage application.
Check you are on the Voter’s Roll:
A way to increase your credit score in a significant way can be to update your address and enlisting yourself on the electoral roll. By doing this you can give a good sense of stability and organisation, which lenders are impressed by. Make sure all information is correct .e.g. your name and your current address. You can register online if you aren’t on the voter’s roll.
Know your Maximum Limit:
Maxing out your credit each month is something you make sure you don’t do. This will reduce your score,therefore, it’s best to keep consistent with your payments each month. This way you can get in the lender’s good books as it shows you are responsible and can manage your money.
Exceeding an agreed card limit or overdraft can be a deterrent to a lender. This is because lenders want to know you’re taking your finances responsibly hence why they look over it.
Check your Address History gets keyed correctly:
Updating your details with your providers is important as it can sometimes appear that you’re living in two addresses at once.
You need to make sure that the addresses that you detail are correct. It can be difficult in terms of formatting if you live in a flat.
Keep up to date with Credit Accounts:
Getting in contact with the providers of the credit cards which you no longer use to close the accounts can provide you with extra security. Initially, it might have an effect as lenders wouldn’t be able to find who closed the account .e.g. you or the provider.
This will help you in the long run and reduces the risk of being a victim of fraud.
Look out for Financial Links to others:
Removing any previous financial links with people like your family members or ex-partner can improve your credit score. As long as the financial association is still active, then the account will always remain in operation.
In order to remove this financial link, it’s best that you contact the reference agencies and make a request. The quicker you get this done, the more beneficial it will be.
Credit scoring can be seen as an unfair way for applications to get assessed by many consumers. The lender, however, sees this as a way to make their job easier but following these tips will help improve your credit score over time.
An up to date copy of your credit report is something you can give to your specialist mortgage advisor in Grimsby in order for them to have a detailed idea of your financial situation so they can then recommend you the most appropriate mortgage for your circumstances.
What is a 95% Mortgage?
A 95% mortgage is as simple as the name would suggest; you are borrowing against 95% of the price of a property, and then you are covering the remaining 5% with your deposit. An example of this is if you looked at buying a property that was worth £150,000 with a 95% mortgage, you would be putting down £7,500 as your deposit and borrow the remaining £142,500 from the lender.
95% Mortgage Advice in Grimsby
Off the back of the March 2021 Budget, Boris Johnson announced a Mortgage Guarantee Scheme for mortgage lenders, making 95% mortgages more readily available from the bigger high street banks.
This is fantastic news for First-Time Buyers and Home Movers alike, as this scheme will continue running until December 2022. Certain terms and conditions will apply though, which is something your Mortgage Advisor in Grimsby will be able to look at, to see if you qualify.
All our customers who opt to Get in Touch will receive a free, no-obligation mortgage consultation where one of our dedicated mortgage advisors will be able to make a recommendation on the best possible route for you to take.
Can I get a 95% mortgage?
95% mortgages are usually accessible by both First Time Buyers in Grimsby & those who are Moving Home in Grimsby. Whilst saving for a 5% deposit sounds like a pretty straightforward concept, you’ll still need to have an acceptable credit score and prove that you are able to afford your monthly mortgage repayments, in order to access a 95% mortgage.
Improving your credit score
A good credit score is essential in the process of obtaining any mortgage, especially a 95% mortgage. Things like paying any current credit commitments on time, ensuring your addresses are updated and checking that you’re on the voters roll, can all help with your credit score.
Affordability
Affordability is another one that is important to take note of. By giving the lender 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 be able to get a general overview of whether or not you are able to afford this type of mortgage.
Can my family help me get a 95% mortgage?
Nowadays we see lots of family members helping each other get onto the property ladder, especially parents looking to further their children’s lives. The way this usually happens is by gifting the person looking to find their home, the deposit required. Known through the industry as the “Bank of Mum & Dad, Gifted Deposits are only intended to be a gift, and not as a loan. The lender will need proof that this has been agreed upon 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 have the right type of mortgage. Each mortgage type works differently, with that choice allowing you to find one that is most appropriate for your personal and financial situation.
Some homeowners and homebuyers prefer Fixed Rate or Tracker Mortgages, mortgage types which mean you either keep interest rates at a set amount for the term given or have your interest rates tracking the Bank of England base rates.
Alternatively, you might find that Interest-Only or Repayment Mortgages are more your style. Interest-Only allows cheaper payments until you need to pay a lump sum at the end (mostly now used for Buy-to-Lets), whereas a Repayment mortgage (a normal mortgage if you’d like) means you’ll be paying interest and capital combined per month.
How can a bigger deposit help with my mortgage?
Seeing as a mortgage is such a large financial outgoing, you need to be prepared and need to be aware. You might find things like higher interest rates, remortgaging difficulties due to less equity and then negative equity all cropping up if you’re not.
There is no need to worry though, as all these can be avoided if you’re savvy enough with your process to begin with. The more deposit you put down for a property, the less risk the lender will see you as.
A larger deposit, of say 10-15%, would not only reduce the rates of interest by a noticeable amount but would also give the property more equity and reduce the risk of negative equity, thanks in part to you borrowing less against the property.
So, whilst the risks may seem intimidating, planning ahead and saving for a bigger deposit to access something like a 90% or even an 85% mortgage will be a massive help in your mortgage journey and something you’ll be able to reap the rewards from in the future.
Getting Prepared for a Mortgage in Grimsby
Moving Home Mortgage Advice in Grimsby
After saving for years and months, you’ve finally reached the point where you are ready to make a deposit on a property. Whether you have had some help from “the bank of Mum and Dad” or have entirely relied on your own funds, it’s time to get the ball rolling!
This may be your first experience as a First Time Buyer or your second as a Home Mover in Grimsby, either way, we are here to give you some top tips on how to get prepare for a mortgage:
Know where you stand
As a Mortgage Broker in Grimsby, we always recommend in getting Mortgage Advice as early on in the process as possible. This way you will know how much you can borrow for a mortgage and how much it will all cost. There is nothing better than having a professional Mortgage Advisor in Grimsby by your side to help guide you through the whole process.
Obtaining an up to date credit report should also be at the top of your list, you want to know exactly where you stand in terms of your credit score. You don’t want anything holding you back from buying a home. Taking the above two steps will give you a good insight into how possible this is going to be and what your budget is.
Getting organised
Your Mortgage Broker in Grimsby, like us, will be able to obtain a fully credit-checked agreement in principle on your behalf. In order to get this, you will have to provide some proof of who you are to us, this includes your name, where you live and how much you earn. There is a lot of paperwork for you to get together so it’s a good idea to open a file for yourself and start collecting everything in advance.
Proof of ID
In terms of proving who you are you’ll need to produce some photo ID such as a Driving license or passport.
Proof of address
In addition to the above, you’ll need to prove where you live. You’ll need to produce a utility bill or original bank statement dated within the last 3 months.
Last three month’s bank statements
The analysis of your spending habits is one of the most important determining factors in whether you’ll qualify for a mortgage or not. Lenders need to ensure that you’re going to be able to meet your mortgage payments every month. Your bank statements should evidence your income and monthly expenditures. Lenders will not be too happy to see gambling transactions on your account, neither will they like it if you go over an agreed overdraft limit or if your direct debits bounce regularly.
Proof of deposit
You will have to provide evidence that you have the funds in place for the deposit, this is also for anti-money laundering purposes. Try not to move monies around your various accounts too much as it will make evidencing the audit trail much more difficult. All lenders will like to see that your savings account has been built up over time in order to afford the deposit. It shows you are taking this seriously and managing your money well.
Gifted deposits are becoming increasingly more popular, we are seeing that most of our applicant’s 5% deposit is made up of these. These gifted deposits are often gifted by family members or friends. These funds can’t just be handed over, they need to be evidenced; meaning the “donor” will need to sign a letter to confirm that this is a gift and not a loan.
Proof of income
In terms of affordability, the most important thing is to be able to prove your income. If you are employed this tends to be by way of your last 3 months’ payslips and most recent P60. Lenders can take into account regular overtime, commission, shift allowance and bonus. If you are Self Employed then you’ll need your accountant’s help. This will be to request your tax year overview.
A list of your expected outgoings
You should put some time aside to do some research and make a note of an estimate of your anticipated outgoings after you move house. You can work out an idea of how much the council tax and utility bills will be. In addition to that, you can work out your regular expenditures, such as food and drink. This will demonstrate how much disposable income you have available to pay your mortgage from.
When applying for a mortgage, to save things from getting complicated, you should get help off a specialist. Having a Mortgage Advisor in Grimsby by your side could prove extremely beneficial. You want to do your best to impress your lender and show them that you have done all you can within your power to get everything ready for your mortgage application. Grimsbymoneyman can help you with this and depending on your circumstances, we could have everything arranged within 24 hours of your free mortgage consultation. Get in touch today, we can’t wait to hear from you!
Mortgage Advice in Grimsby
Different Types of Mortgages in Grimsby
Mortgages Types Explained in Grimsby
Whether you’re a first time buyer in Grimsby looking to step onto the property ladder or someone who’s moving, you’ll soon discover that there’s a diverse array of mortgage types available. Some are widely known and readily accessible, while others are more niche. To help you better understand the variety of mortgages at your disposal, we’ve compiled a list of the most common options offered by lenders. We’ve also created informative videos for each mortgage type to make them more comprehensible, as some can initially appear quite complex.
What is a fixed-rate mortgage?
A fixed-rate mortgage is quite straightforward. With this type of mortgage, your monthly payments remain constant for a predetermined period that you agree upon with your lender. Typically, people opt for fixed-rate mortgages with durations of 2-5 years, but you can choose longer terms, such as 10 or even 15 years.
It’s essential to consider that long-term fixed-rate mortgages lock you into the same payments for an extended period, and significant changes can occur over 10 or 15 years. The economy and interest rates are unpredictable over such extended periods. To potentially save money in the long run, opting for a 2-year fixed-term mortgage and renewing it with a different rate every 2 years could be a more flexible and advantageous approach.
What is a tracker mortgage?
A tracker mortgage is where the interest rate closely mirrors the Bank of England’s base rate. Unlike fixed-rate mortgages, the lender doesn’t set the interest rate but ties it directly to the Bank of England’s rate. Your interest rate is usually expressed as a percentage above the Bank of England base rate. For instance, if the base rate is 1% and your tracker mortgage is set at 1% above the base rate, your effective interest rate would be 2%.
During periods of high Bank of England interest rates, lenders may be less inclined to offer tracker mortgages since they can result in higher interest payments for borrowers. Fixed-rate mortgages tend to be more popular in such circumstances because they provide stability and protection from rising interest rates. If you choose a tracker mortgage when the Bank of England rates are high, it may lead to higher mortgage payments over time, which might not be suitable for borrowers seeking predictability and affordability.
What is a repayment mortgage?
When you have a repayment mortgage, you’re making monthly payments that cover both the loan’s interest and principal. If you consistently make these payments throughout the mortgage term, you’ll ensure that the loan balance is fully paid off, and the property becomes entirely yours.
Repayment mortgages are the most secure way to repay the borrowed capital. In the early years, the majority of your payments go toward interest, causing the balance to decrease slowly, especially if you’ve chosen a longer-term mortgage, such as 25, 30, or 35 years. However, this pattern changes in the last decade of your mortgage, where your payments start to pay off more of the principal than interest, resulting in a quicker reduction of the remaining balance.
What is an interest only mortgage?
While many buy to let mortgages in Grimsby are commonly structured as interest-only, obtaining an interest-only residential property mortgage has become considerably more challenging. Lenders are now less inclined to offer interest-only products. However, there are specific situations in which this option may still be available.
Such situations include downsizing in later years or having alternative investments earmarked to repay the principal. Lenders have become much stricter in their criteria for offering these products, and the loan-to-value ratios are significantly lower than in the past.
What is an offset mortgage?
An offset mortgage involves the setup of a linked savings account alongside your mortgage account by the lender. The concept is simple: if you have a mortgage balance of £100,000 and maintain £20,000 in your linked savings account, you only pay interest on the reduced amount, which is £80,000 in this scenario. This approach can be highly effective for managing your finances, particularly if you fall into a higher tax bracket.
Mortgage Broker in Grimsby
Whether you are a first time buyer in Grimsby searching for a perfect home or current home-owner wanting to move house, we can help! You may be looking to remortgage, interested in buy to let mortgages, need help to buy advice or general mortgage advice in Grimsby. Guiding you through these situations is what we do best and it is our service to you as our consumers.
Learn More About Property Surveys
What is a property survey?
When customers like first time buyers in Grimsby have an offer accepted on a property your next job is to arrange a property survey. This will establish the condition of the property and ensure that it is worth what you are going to pay for it. If something is found on the survey you are then in a position by law to approach the seller to negotiate a price for the works required.
Choosing the right survey
Here’s a short video from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) that explains the different types available to you.
Property survey types
There are 3 main types of property survey available to you:
- Mortgage Valuation
- Homebuyer’s Report
- Full Structural Survey
Mortgage valuation
A basic valuation is the cheapest option and you will be required to have one of these before you receive your mortgage offer. Please don’t confuse this with a full survey. The mortgage valuation confirms to the lender that the property is worth at least what it is lending you.
Your mortgage lender may even offer you a free basic valuation as part of your deal.
A Mortgage Valuation will not highlight any repairs that are needed. However, it may point out any obvious defects and recommend that you investigate further.
Homebuyer’s report
A Homebuyer’s report will cover structural safety and highlights problems, including damp, as well as anything that doesn’t meet current building regulations. This kind of report will give you an independent report of your property by an expert.
To ensure you are not paying for two surveys it is advisable to ask the mortgage companies surveyor to carry out this report for you – it will usually take a couple of hours to complete.
Full structural survey
A Full Structural Survey is advisable for older properties and those of a non-standard construction.
Depending on the property size and type – a full structural survey can take as long as a day to complete.
A full structural survey provides a detailed report on the condition of the property and highlights issues that should be investigated further before going ahead with the purchase, providing you with peace of mind about the condition of your property.
You can find a surveyor to carry out a Homebuyer’s report or building survey through the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Sales Tactics of Estate Agents & Builders
Mortgage Broker in Grimsby
Whether you are a First Time Buyer in Grimsby actively viewing properties or a home mover with your house on the market, you may have noticed that some of the larger estate agents and builders are very keen for you to use their in-house mortgage advisor and conveyancing services.
Being part of a stand-alone mortgage business we receive lots of feedback as to what sales tactics can be used, examples of this are:
- Refusing to put your offer forward to the vendor if you have not taken in-house mortgage advice or favouring another offer over yours because you already have your mortgage sorted. Please note these situations are illegal.
- Quoting extortionate conveyancing fees, I recently had a client who was quoted more than £1,500 for a straight forward purchase with an estate agent. They got this down to £750 with our help by using another conveyancer local to them.
- From the big well known colourful online agents, within minutes of making your offer they may call you wanting the name of your conveyancer, not just the company, the actual individual acting for you! At the same time pushing their extortionately overpriced quotations, and refuse to take the property off the market without this. Don’t worry, we can help you be ready for this.
Don’t be fooled, popular estate agent & builder sales quotes include:
“Keeping everything under one roof is easier with one point of contact”
“If you use our services it will give the vendor peace of mind that everything will go through smoothly”
“You need to come in and see our mortgage advisor for your offer to be qualified”
“Your offer is more likely to be accepted if you use our mortgage advisor”
“We get better deals than most brokers”
“Everything is likely to go through quicker if you use us”
“We will do all of the chasing of the solicitors for you and they’ll be more responsive to us due to the amount of work we send them”
“We’ll give you a free carpet/washing machine if you use our (extortionately priced) recommended conveyancing service”
Remember, when negotiating a purchase price, do you really want the seller of your property having access to your personal financial situation and potentially knowing your maximum borrowing?
