5 Great Tips For First Time Buyers
Are A First Time Buyer In Need of A Mortgage Broker in Stockport?
MANY FIRST-TIME BUYERS hope to make this year the year they get on the property ladder, thanks to the increasing availability of 95% mortgages. But while there are higher numbers of suitable mortgages available, there’s no guarantee you’ll be approved. To improve your chances, here are five of our top tips. We hope that you find these tips help and if you want to learn more speak to a mortgage broker in Stockport to help you through the process
1. Register To Vote
It might not sound like this has much to do with your mortgage, but you’ll find it easier to get approved if you are on the electoral roll. Though the main purpose of this register is to prevent fraudulent voting, it’s also used in credit applications and is one of the first things a mortgage provider will check.
The process of registering is easy (as long as you’re a British citizen, an Irish citizen, or a Commonwealth or EU citizen who is living in the UK) and it can be
completed online.
2. Check Your Credit Report
Your credit report includes any financial issues on your record in the last six years. If you’ve received a county court judgement or filed for bankruptcy in that time, more than likely you’re aware of the issue and how it could affect your mortgage application. But even smaller incidents, such as late bill payments, can impact your score, and occasionally you’ll see something on the report you weren’t aware of. Very occasionally you may also find an error, which can be corrected by contacting the creditor.
You can check your credit report for free with ClearScore, Equifax or Experian. Or you can use Check My File. They check all three credit score companies at once. Your credit score may vary between each company so that’s why having an overview of them means you have a much more informed picture and why we would recommend Check My File.
“Mortgage providers will check to see how many credit arrangements you already have before they approve your mortgage, and they want to see that number as low as possible.”
3. Organise Your Finance
Lenders want to see that your financial affairs are in order, so is now a time you need to tidy them up? If you have bank accounts that you no longer use, close them. If you have small amounts of money in different accounts, consider pooling them together into one to give a clearer picture of your financial position. If you have a Lifetime Individual Savings Account (LISA), top it up to the maximum £4,000 annual allowance so that the £1,000 government bonus will be added to boost your savings.
4. First Time Buyers Shouldn’t Be Afraid To Negotiate
The current property market is generally more favourable towards sellers with rising prices and limited availability. However, that doesn't mean you can't get a bargain! If your prospective home needs extra work which will cost money, you can haggle that off the price. Remember, first-time buyers are attractive to sellers because of the smooth process as you are not in a chain so you have that to your advantage.
5. Delay New Credit Applications
Usually, when you make a new credit application, the lender will perform a hard enquiry on your credit score. If several hard enquiries are made during a short period, that can temporarily affect your credit score. So, until your mortgage application is approved, it’s best to delay new credit applications, whether this is a new credit card, a new phone contract, car financing or any type of loan.
CONCLUSION
Buying a home for the first time can seem like a daunting task. There are a lot of options to consider, as well as a number of pitfalls that first-time buyers can fall into. However, if you work with a qualified mortgage broker, the process can be a lot easier. They can help you avoid those pitfalls and find a mortgage that is right for you. If you want to find out more about how a mortgage broker can help you, contact a mortgage broker today.
Contact us today
Jamie Hollingsworth - Mortgage & Protection Advisor
24 Willis Rd
Stockport
SK3 8HQ
03337720330
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