How to Get the Best Mortgage for you

Saturday, June 27, 2009

By the end of this article you should have more idea on how to get the best mortgage for you. The first thing to say is take your time, the mortgage that you do take out could be over 25 years so you want to ensure the mortgage that you pick is the right mortgage for you. Don’t rush into what may be your life’s biggest commitment, your mortgage, by taking what at face value can seem to be the best mortgage for you. Find out what mortgages are on offer from your local bank, building societies and even mortgage brokers. Taking time with your mortgage selection can mean, over time, you make greater savings on your mortgage.


By carrying out good market research for your mortgage, whether it is for the first house that you buy, a home improvement mortgage or a remortgage, ensure that you research it fully. You will need to know all the costs associated with your mortgage, from things like a valuation fee, fixed rate fee to the deposit required by your lender, to the equity you have in your home. All are important factors when considering a mortgage.

Make sure you get quotes

There are many mortgage lenders in the market today, and all have different terms and conditions that they can offer to you. Ensure that you get quotes for your mortgage from different sources. Building societies and banks are most people’s first port of call for a mortgage, but you could also arrange your mortgage via a mortgage broker. A mortgage broker could have access to many lenders and plans and this may be the way for you to research a whole host of mortgage products and mortgage lenders. Quotes for your mortgage are normally provided free by both mortgage brokers and building societies.

Check out the costs involved

Mortgages always come with a cost, whether this is your monthly repayment, the valuation fee, the solicitors costs, the indemnity guarantee or stamp duty. All are costs that can be associated with your mortgage. Research what the lenders fees are for your mortgage, or the mortgage broker’s fee, and ensure the rate and type is what you require.

A buzz word of the mortgage market is the APR the annual percentage rate (APR). The APR takes into account not only the interest rate but also broker fees and certain other credit charges that you may be required to pay, expressed as a yearly rate.

All lenders or brokers will give you an estimate of its fees and costs. The fees you pay for your mortgage can vary enormously, some you can add to your mortgage, some you will need to supply and you need to discuss them fully with your mortgage provider.

How to get the best mortgage for you

After you have carried out your research on the mortgage market and gained your mortgage quotations, take time to study and fully understand the mortgage you want. If you are not sure of anything ring them and discuss the parts of the mortgage that are of concern. Totally ensure the mortgage provider gives and supplies you with all that you want from that mortgage, whether this is the type, the rate, the term or the amount. All are important in getting the right mortgage for you.

When you have fully alleviated all of your queries about your mortgage and have reviewed and understand your mortgage and the quotations you have on your mortgage you are ready to go. Getting the best mortgage deal, mortgage rate or mortgage lender is not a science. By following the steps above you should easily find the mortgage that you require.

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The types of mortgages available in the UK

Friday, June 26, 2009

There is a huge array of options available when it comes to choosing the type of mortgage you want to go with. Mortgage types are split into two types in the UK. You can either choose a repayment mortgage or an interest only mortgage.

The latter type would see you only repay interest applied to the loan which would mean you are never actually paying back the principal sum borrowed so while your monthly payments may be lower you are not repaying the debt so it will take much lower to pay back the whole loan. Therefore in the long run when interest is taken into account you will actually be repaying a lot more to the mortgage lender.

The second option is to go with a repayment mortgage. This will mean the monthly payment to the mortgage lender will repay part mortgage loan and part interest. Therefore as you are clearing more of the mortgage each month your overall debt will be cleared sooner and at a lower cost. The obvious disadvantage is that your monthly payments will be much higher so you should take this into account when choosing a mortgage type.

A mortgage broker would be able to advise you on this and most would work out the deposit you need as well as workout your monthly repayments so you can compare how much you would be repaying to the mortgage lender each month.

In the current economic climate affordability is a major factor when taking out a mortgage. When choosing which mortgage type to go with, it is important to ensure you can make the monthly repayments but also ensure that the mortgage is of the best value to you. Most mortgage brokers will search the whole of the market, using their services will mean you can find the best deal for you. Mortgage rates are changing more frequently than ever as the Bank of England changes interest rates in its attempt to turn the economy around. It may be better to hold off until mortgage lending rates improve. Mortgage brokers can go through the different types of mortgages to ensure you are prepared when you do decide to take out a mortgage.

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Understanding Mortgages and Choosing the Best One to Suit Your Needs

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Mortgages are extremely handy financial devices which many homeowners take advantage of these days. They allow individuals to finance their home which provides them with other benefits as a result thereof. For example, by obtaining a mortgage on the home, the homeowner can pay off their house little by little and still have enough money left over each month for other pertinent living expenses. The mortgage is a wonderful tool which individuals should consider if they are interested in financing the purchase of a home. Prior to signing loan documents, one should have a firm grasp of the different types of mortgages so that they are able to choose the best one for their needs.

Fixed Rate Mortgages

Fixed rate mortgages are one type of mortgage that is available to homeowners. The fixed rate mortgage is set for a certain number of years at a particular interest rate. Therefore, over the life of the loan the homeowner will know exactly how much they are paying in principal and how much they are paying in interest. The interest of the loan will not change during that time period. This is a good type of loan for those who are uncertain as to what the future interest rates will be and wish to lock in a good rate right in the beginning. In addition, homeowners like fixed rate mortgages as they will always know just how much money they need to put aside each month in order to pay the mortgage on their home.

Adjustable Rate Mortgages

Another type of mortgage which many homeowners express an interest in is that of the adjustable rate mortgage. With an adjustable rate mortgage, the interest rate on the loan will fluctuate depending upon how the market is doing at that point in time. Therefore, an individual's monthly payment can vary when the interest rate is either increased or decreased. There are a few different pros and cons associated with the adjustable rate mortgage.

As for the positive aspects of the adjustable rate mortgage, a homeowner may be able to reap the benefits of a favorable interest rate and therefore pay less than they normally would had the mortgage been fixed. Secondly, individuals may be able to start out their mortgage with a low interest rate right in the beginning which is an appealing trait to many.

For those who look at the negative aspects of adjustable rate mortgages, they may discover that the interest rate hits a high level and stays there for a while which means that they have to pay much more each month than they did in the beginning. Also, adjustable rate mortgages can be unpredictable by nature and those who are on a set budget may worry that the rates will be too high for them to handle down the road.
Which Is Better?

When deciding which one to select, homeowners must determine whether they want a sure thing or whether they want to take a chance that their interest rate will be favorable throughout the life of the loan. In the end, it is up to the homeowner to look at their current and potential future financial state in order to make an informed decision whether to go with a fixed rate mortgage or adjustable rate mortgage.

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