How to get mortgage ready
There are many things you can do to get yourself in the best position to get a mortgage.
Call us on: 0800 085 0118
Open 6 days a week - until 7pm on weeknights
When it comes to mortgages, it can often feel like everyone’s speaking another language. With our handy mortgage glossary, we cut through the jargon and explain all the ‘need to know’ words and phrases that you’re likely to hear when going through your mortgage application.
Also known as a Decision in Principle (DIP), this is a certificate from the lender to say that they agree to lend you a certain amount of money, based on information you’ve shared with them.
APRC is a standard calculation in the mortgage industry and allows mortgages from all lenders to be compared. It is the true cost of the mortgage over the full term set out as a yearly rate, including all fees, terms and interest.
The calculation assumes that you maintain the mortgage for the full term (i.e 25 years).
It’s very likely you’ll be charged an arrangement fee when taking out a mortgage, however our advisers will be able to talk you through the conditions that apply.
The rate set by the Bank of England, which is reflected in the interest rates charges by lenders.
An extensive survey, carried out by a qualified surveyor, to spot faults and potential problems in the property you’re buying.
The amount you have borrowed on the mortgage, on which interest will be charged.
When you become the legal owner of the property.
The legal work involved in selling and buying property.
The fees, such as Stamp Duty, Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Scotland) and land registry fees which you pay to the conveyancer or solicitor.
The charge some lenders make if a mortgage is paid off early.
The total value of your property, less the amount of the mortgage and any other secured loans you have.
The pre-contractual disclosure document which details your mortgage.
The point where the property sale becomes legally binding.
This is a very simple valuation where the surveyor will estimate the value of the property by viewing it from the road.
A guarantor can guarantee the mortgage repayments for you if the lender determines you are at high risk of not making the payments.
A detailed valuation that contains a report on the condition of the property, highlighting defects.
This is instructed by the seller and includes three documents: a Single Survey, an Energy Report and a Property Questionnaire. The report usually includes a mortgage valuation. In the circumstance this is not the case, the lender will request that a valuation report is carried out.
A document which explains the level of services to be provided.
The money you are charged for borrowing.
A fee paid to the land registry to register ownership of a property.
When you buy a property you may need to pay LBTT. LBTT is a tax applied to residential and commercial land and buildings transactions (including commercial purchases and commercial leases) where a chargeable interest is acquired. This replaced UK Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) in Scotland from 1st April 2015.
A legal contract which gives the ownership of a leasehold property to the buyer for a fixed period of time.
Fees charged by the lender to organise the mortgage for you. These are not usually refunded if you do not go ahead with the mortgage. Some lenders will only charge such feed for specific mortgage deals.
The legal agreement which gives the lender a legal right to the property.
The length of term over which the mortgage will be repaid.
The formal offer of a mortgage from a lender.
When you buy a property it is likely you will need to pay Stamp Duty. The amount you pay will vary depending on the purchase price of the property and could be anything between 2% and 15% of the purchase price.
Your adviser can provide you with general information on the rates payable. However, if you need advice on any tax implications, then you should speak to an independent tax and legal specialist as mortgage advisers are not qualified to give tax advice.
Paying off a mortgage.
This is a detailed report that can include tests on drains and utilities. It would be very useful if you’re thinking about building an extension, for example. In Scotland, this can be requested by the lender if an area of concern is highlighted in the home report.
Wording included in any agreement before the exchange of contracts. This wording allows the seller or buyer to withdraw from the property sale.
The legal documents which set out the ownership of a property.
This is the mortgage lender’s inspection of the property to assess its suitability for a mortgage.
If you have any questions about buying for the first time, or perhaps just the mortgage process in general, please feel free to get in touch with our friendly mortgage team who can put you in touch with an adviser local to you.
There are many things you can do to get yourself in the best position to get a mortgage.
With so many different Help to Buy schemes available, and all with different terms and conditions, we explain each one so you can decide which could help you get on the property ladder.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The actual amount you pay will depend upon your circumstances.
The fee is up to 1% but a typical fee is 0.3% of the amount borrowed.