Do Gambling Transactions Look Bad on My Bank Statements?

Why does the lender need my bank statements? 

Whatever the mortgage route that you choose to take, you will always be asked to provide a copy of your bank statements. Whether you’re a First Time Buyer in Lincoln, looking at Moving Home to Lincoln, or wanting to know your Remortgage Options, this will never change. Furthermore, they won’t just ask for your bank statements, they’ll ask for other pieces of evidence to support your mortgage affordability, and calculate the maximum amount you can borrow for a mortgage.

There are multiple different reasons why your lender will want to see your bank statements. They need to know whether you can afford a mortgage or not, make sure that you’re reliable, and know if you’re someone who manages their finances responsibly.

Planning your mortgage journey is essential. As a mortgage broker in Lincoln, we always recommend that applicants think about their bank statements and what’s going to show up on them a few months before their application. When a lender is looking at your bank statements, one of the main things that they will look for is gambling transactions, and here’s why.

What has it got to do with the lender whether l gamble or not?

We are not saying that it’s illegal to gamble during the upcoming months of your application, however, lenders do seem to judge applicants less favourably if they can see large amounts of gambling transactions on your bank statements.

Spending a little bit here and there on your gambling app won’t make a huge difference to your mortgage application. It can start to impact your application when you are consistently gambling and putting in large amounts of money each time. The number one rule is to always remember to ‘gamble responsibly’.

A mortgage broker in Lincoln like us, nor a lender/building society can tell you how to live your life. We can give you advice though. All we can ask of you is to be careful as lenders do have a duty to lend responsibly. 

Lenders need to prove to their regulators that they’re lending to responsible applicants. If you’re a frequent gambler and losing out on money every so often, they may not think that you fit into the ‘reliable category’. They want people to take good care of their finances. Would you lend to someone who is a frequent gambler or someone who hardly gambles?

Will gambling affect my chances of getting a mortgage?  

Moreover, infrequent gambling transactions are unlikely to your ability to get a mortgage. It’s all down to the size of the transactions and how frequent they are.

A big factor is how these transactions affect your overall account balance. Does gambling result in you dipping into your overdraft? Are you borrowing money to gamble/gambling money that you don’t have?

Acting irresponsibly with your money during the lead up to your mortgage application may put off a lender. Lenders notice gambling transactions straight away.

What will lenders be looking for on my bank statements? 

It’s not just gambling transactions that lenders will look for on your bank statements. Here are a couple more things that they’ll be looking for:

• Loan repayments
• Exceeding into your overdraft
• Other current accounts
• Credit cards
• Recurring payments

They need to be certain that they’re lending to a reliable applicant. From monitoring your accounts to asking you questions about your transactions, lenders need to know that they can trust you.

On the contrary, if you do fall into your overdraft now and again, it shouldn’t cause too much detrimental effect on your mortgage application. When you are always dipping into your overdraft or struggling to get out of it, that’s when it may hurt your mortgage application.

What can I do to show the lender I am reliable? 

Every lender will look for someone who is reliable and sensible. Get ahead of the game, plan your mortgage application nice and early in the process.

Since you’ll be asked to provide bank statements (typically 3 months’ worth), you could make them appear the best that they can. Ensure that these bank statements make you look reliable. A way to enforce this could be to reduce gambling and outgoings for these three months.

If you gamble regularly, it could be an idea to stop for a little while. There are usually spending limits on betting apps; this could be something to look into. As well as helping your mortgage application, this may also be good for your mental health. 

Get in touch with a mortgage broker in Lincoln

Our job as a mortgage broker in Lincoln is to hold your hand through the entire mortgage process. We will be with you from the very start! Firstly, we’ll take a look at your evidential documents with you, making sure that you are presenting yourself in the best way possible in front of a lender.

Our mortgage advisors in Lincoln are available 7 days a week, so don’t hesitate to book your free mortgage appointment today. They cannot wait to hear from you.

Can You Have Two Mortgages in Lincoln?

Mortgage Advice for Homeowners in Need of Multiple Mortgages

Can I Have Multiple Mortgage? | MoneymanTV 

There are multiple reasons why some homeowners in Lincoln may look to obtain a second mortgage. One example of this would be if you are looking to expand your property portfolio and you need to obtain a mortgage to do this.

Alternatively, you may find that you need to take out a second mortgage if you have a family member who is unable to qualify for a mortgage themselves, obtaining a mortgage in your name and allowing them to live in the property.

If the lender can see that you cannot afford the costs involved with a second mortgage, then your application will be denied.

Why would I want a second mortgage?

As a trusted Mortgage Broker in Lincoln, we have seen people apply for a second mortgage for all kinds of different reasons. Here are a few reasons to consider one.

Raise Money

If you are over five years into your mortgage term, then by now, you should have built yourself up a reasonable amount of equity in your home.

This situation is known as a further advance. A further advance is when you borrow more from your current lender to fund something like home improvements or a second mortgage.

What you do with that money is completely your choice, after all, it’s the equity you have built up in your own home. Some people use it to fund the deposit of another mortgage, whilst others may use it to take their dream holiday. There are no limitations once you’ve withdrawn that equity.

The amount that you can borrow from them will depend on the amount of equity in your property. Your lender will need strong evidence to prove that you can afford both mortgages. Our mortgage advisors in Lincoln can access competitive second mortgage deals and options through our large panel of lenders. 

Rent Out a New Property (Buy to Let)

Whether you are a landlord with experience within the market already or someone new looking into making their first investment on a property, you will need more than one mortgage to achieve your goals.

Buy to let landlords will likely use a suitably extensive portfolio to the process of getting more than one mortgage. For those starting as a landlord, sometimes you need Mortgage Advice in Lincoln to make sure everything gets sorted.

Second mortgages work similarly to other mortgages. You still need to put down a deposit (usually around 15%-25% of the property) and pass the lenders’ affordability checks. Affordability does not always come down to your income, and some lenders will look into the predicted rental income.

No doubt, once the landlord has found tenants and they have moved in, the costs of your mortgage payments should be sufficiently covered. Initially, though this might prove challenging, you need to cover the expenses until the income starts to flow.

For Buy to Let Mortgage Advice in Lincoln, please feel free to book yourself in for a free mortgage appointment to speak with one of our Mortgage Advisors here at Lincolnmoneyman.

Rent Out an Existing Home to Purchase a New One (Let to Buy)

This sort of process is what is known as a let to buy mortgage. Some homeowners will have an option to get a second mortgage on a newly purchased home, allowing them to rent out their current home and move into a new home for themselves.

Let to buys are of course very similar to buy to lets, it just works a little bit differently. In this case, you need to find a tenant for your current property, in order to move out yourself. Landlords may do this if they want to move into a bigger family home.

Our buy to let Mortgage Advisors in Lincoln have a lot of experience and knowledge in working with let to buy mortgages, so get in touch if you would like an advisor to help you with a let to buy second mortgage.

Purchase a Home For Your Children/Family Member

If you have any children or other family members who are having some difficulty getting themselves onto the property ladder, you may have the option to take out a mortgage in your name and allow them to move into it as their new home.

Going down this route will likely land you with a guarantor mortgage. Another popular option that some people go with is to gift the person in need their deposit. Gifted deposits are crucial to the property market and are always a fond option for helping a loved one find their footing on the property ladder.

Are you named on an existing mortgage and want to buy a new home?

There are various reasons why you can be listed on two mortgages. Sometimes it’s something you’ve planned for, but in other cases, it can be completely unintentional.

Through our work as a mortgage broker in Lincoln, we regularly find that one of the most common reasons for someone taking out a second mortgage is divorce or separation.

The tricky part here is that it can be hard to remove your own or your ex-partner’s name from the mortgage you share. Once again, this is down to affordability and to both parties having to agree mutually. Though it may come with challenges, obtaining a mortgage post-divorce or separation is not entirely impossible.

If you have your name on an existing mortgage for a home you no longer live in, we recommend you look at getting your name removed sooner rather than later.

Having any financial ties to someone may lower your overall credit score, especially if the other person is terrible at managing their finances and getting into arrears regularly.

Newly Qualified Teachers Mortgage Advice in Lincoln

Can newly qualified teachers get a mortgage in Lincoln?

Congratulations! You have passed all the necessary exams and are now a newly qualified teacher. If you haven’t already found a suitable teaching position, you now need to start searching to gain some experience.

As a Mortgage Broker in Lincoln, we find that newly qualified teachers are First Time Buyers, however, If your new teaching position requires you to Move Home in Lincoln we can help you with that too.

If you are a First Time Buyer in Lincoln, you’ll be needing a new home to start a life in. Once here, you’ll be trying to balance the struggle of homeownership whilst finding comfort within your newfound role in the education system. This isn’t something you’ll be alone in, as we’ve dealt with many customers who have felt the same way.

How a Mortgage Advisor in Lincoln Could Help

Hopefully, with the help of a dedicated Mortgage Advisor in Lincoln, your process will go a lot smoother and quicker, reducing your stress.

The process of finding a lender who will be willing to offer a mortgage to newly qualified teachers can prove to be a little challenging. This is due to having little to no work history or being on a temporary contract.

Even though this is the case, you can worry less knowing that you may still be able to obtain a mortgage as a newly qualified teacher.

Some lenders may even offer good deals with those working within the teaching industry. The key to this is finding the best lender for your personal and professional circumstances.

This is usually the tricky part. By getting the help of a Mortgage Advisor in Lincoln, you will be working with someone who can search thousands of deals and match you to the suitable lender’s criteria.

What are my mortgage options as a NQT?

You won’t fit into every lender’s criteria. Typically the main types of mortgage available for newly qualified teachers usually include:

• Help to Buy Mortgages in Lincoln
• Shared Ownership Mortgages
• Variable-Rate Mortgages
• Fixed-Rate Mortgages
  

Here are some things that lenders may consider during your process:

• No previous employment history is required.
• A 12-month first post-contract can sometimes be treated the same as a permanent role.
• Mortgages are available up to one month before starting the first contract (so you can apply in August, just as an example).
• Up to a 95% loan to value.

Speak to a Mortgage Broker in Lincoln

Our team of Mortgage Advisors in Lincoln have a lot of experience working in this industry, helping various people with the situations they are in relating to their mortgage.

During your process, you will find there are lots of different benefits to using a Mortgage Broker in Lincoln.

To take a look at your mortgage options, get in touch, and our team will take some details from you to decide whether or not you have the possibility of obtaining a mortgage suitable to your personal and financial circumstances.

Buying a Property with a Friend or Partner in Lincoln?

Joint Property Mortgage Advice in Lincoln

Even though there have been wage increases over the years, property inflation has had an effect on First Time Buyers in Lincoln affording current property prices. As a countermeasure, applicants may have the option of buying with someone else, if it is appropriate to do so. Lenders can take into account the two incomes when calculating your maximum mortgage amount, which may increase your chances of being offered a mortgage.

Even though it’s beneficial because you have someone to share costs with, it’s not as straightforward as you think. You can’t just move in with your partner, friend, or family member that easily.

Below are some questions that we get asked regularly as a Mortgage Broker in Lincoln, when it comes to applicants looking to move into a property with someone else:

How many people can jointly own a property?

Lenders are known to allow up to four people to jointly co-own a property. You have to remember that the more people that co-own a property, the likelihood of someone backing out can increase. In the case where one of the borrowers drops out of contributing towards mortgage payments, any joint owners will have a legal right to remain inside the property, except if a court rules otherwise. This is why you need to be sure about who you are buying with.

There is an option to increase your mortgage at a later date if you prefer, however, all borrowers will need to agree. Therefore, you need to think about your future as well as establish how long you are looking to stay within the property.

Joint Tenancy or Tenancy in Common?

Joint tenancy is an option we commonly see married couples or applicants go for. This means that in the unfortunate case where either applicant passes away, the property’s ownership would pass on to the other owner.

In the future, if you decide to remortgage or sell the property, both parties need to agree to the decisions before you proceed with anything.

If the applicants are relatives or friends that have bought together, ‘Tenants in Common’ is a potential option to go for. This is when you both equally own the property, however, you aren’t obliged to do so in shares. This circumstance can occur when one party is making a larger financial input than the other. If you are a ‘Tenant in Common’, you can act independently. For instance, you are allowed to sell or give away your share of the property to someone else.

What happens if one party stops making mortgage payments?

It’s required that all borrowers meet their mortgage payment when they sign on for a joint mortgage. In the case where one party decides to stop paying, the other individuals on the joint mortgage will have to pay in order to make up the shortfall and prevent the mortgage from falling into arrears. These arrears can become a risk of you not getting another mortgage in the future.

The best way to think of it is that you don’t own 50% of the property, you own 100% jointly.

How do I remove my ex-partner from my mortgage?

It can be a challenge to remove a person from a mortgage. Lenders will need to know that you will be able to afford mortgage payments on your own before allowing you to remove a name. As you can see, making changes to a huge financial commitment at a later date is not as simple as it sounds.

Furthermore, proving to your lender that you have been consistent with your payments since your ex has moved out doesn’t always mean that they will agree to your request to put the mortgage into your sole name. Lenders prefer having multiple incomes on the mortgage to reduce the chances of arrears.

As well as this, lenders will carry out an affordability assessment before anything is allowed to go ahead. This is where they assess your personal and financial situation to decide if you will be able to maintain your payments. This assessment is also done at the point of purchase. 

Get in touch with a mortgage advisor in Lincoln if your request is declined by your lender, as they may be able to help. As a mortgage broker in Lincoln, we will work hard to find you a lender that will suit your circumstances. In some cases, seeking Specialist Mortgage Advice in Lincoln could be very beneficial, especially in complex situations.

Talking to a family member to see if they can support and help you out might be a good idea. They could help by taking your ex’s place with your mortgage or gifting you a lump sum to reduce the amount owed.

How do I remove my name from my ex-partner’s mortgage?

In the instance where you and your partner split up and you are the person to leave the property, it’s still your responsibility to pay your part of the mortgage despite you and your ex agreeing that they will make the payments.

Removing your name off a mortgage is just like removing an ex off a mortgage. Therefore, your name can be removed only if the lender can be sure that your ex can afford the payments on their own. Again, they will perform an affordability assessment to check this.

You need to watch your credit report if you are sending your partner money each month. This ensures they are paying the mortgage as the risk of the payment defaulting could affect your score.

If you plan on moving home into another property and need a new mortgage, but you are still tied into the joint mortgage, your commitments will be taken into account. This means that lenders may unfortunately not lend as much as you would prefer.

People’s circumstances change all the time, which is why buying a property with anyone is always a risk. That’s why it’s good to keep an open mind when entering the home buying world by accepting that things may change unexpectedly, but understanding there is usually a way to work around them. Get mortgage advice in Lincoln if you are in a difficult situation with your joint mortgage.

How Much Can I Borrow For A Mortgage in Lincoln?

How much can I borrow for a mortgage in Lincoln?

When customers get in touch with us for Mortgage Advice in Lincoln, more often than not, the first thing that we get asked, especially when we are speaking with First Time Buyers in Lincoln, is “How much can I borrow for a mortgage?”

Let’s reflect upon the background of affordability assessments and how they apply to the mortgage world post-2014.

Historic rules when borrowing for a mortgage

Prior to the methods of modern credit scoring, your mortgage would’ve been manually assessed by your local building society manager. Lenders gradually moved towards more uniformed methods of income assessment, in order to provide a consistent approach as we headed into the 1990s.

Maximum lending “caps” were introduced to prevent customers from borrowing any more than three to four times their annual income. As we grew closer and closer to the infamous credit crunch in the mid-to-late 2000s, these income multipliers were relaxed, with lenders being more generous.

A handful of those mortgage lenders were allowing their customers to “self-certify” their incomes without subjecting them to any background checks, such as an analysis of their payslips. This, as you may be aware, caused the market to crash and getting onto the property ladder from 2008-2010 was quite difficult.

Lenders very quickly battened down the hatches and created a massively careful (arguably over-corrected) lending environment. No matter if you were directly approaching a lender or opting to speak with a mortgage broker in Lincoln, the outcomes would mostly always be the same.

Nowadays approach to how much I can borrow

The Mortgage Market Review (MMR) was introduced off the back of the market recovering after the credit crunch. From here, lenders were given a new set of guidelines that they had to follow. The income multiplier methods of yesteryear were phased out and replaced with new, more complicated affordability calculators.

These new calculators gave the lenders a more detailed analysis of an applicant’s spending habits and net disposable income. What this meant, was that the lender could take a deeper look into your bank statements to make sure that unaffordable mortgages were not given out to customers as they had been in the past.

There is still a “lending cap” in place and it is roughly about 4.75 times your annual income, but your expenditures will also be looked at. Something that is worth noting, is that lenders seem to penalise low-earners and even things like gambling can have an adverse affect on your chances of being able to borrow.

When it comes to your bank statements, mortgage lenders will keep an eye on various factors, so during the months leading up to your application, be careful as to what exactly your expenditures are. Occasionally lenders take pension contributions as a fixed outgoing so would often lend to, for example a public sector worker with a big pension deduction less than a private sector, and things of a similar ilk.

How can a Mortgage Broker in Lincoln like us help?

If you are looking to maximise your borrowing capacity in order to help your mortgage application, then we believe you’ll benefit from speaking to a Mortgage Broker in Lincoln.

You’ll receive a free initial appointment, where a Mortgage Advisor in Lincoln will take some information, before heading off to research the market on your behalf, working to find a deal that best suits your needs and circumstances.

Getting Mortgage Advice in Lincoln before taking out a mortgage could be crucial in helping you understand the mortgage process better. By speaking to a mortgage broker like us, you will have your own Mortgage Advisor in Lincoln who will explain how everything works and support you from the beginning, right through to the end of your mortgage journey.

Why Should I Use a Mortgage Broker in Lincoln?

The Benefits of Our Mortgage Advice Service

The majority of people out there maybe only think about their mortgage goals or existing mortgages every few years. Here at Lincolnmoneyman, we think about mortgages every day.

There is never a minute of our working hours where we aren’t engrossed in a case, working hard to try and help someone find a favourable outcome.

Because of the time and effort we put into being so efficient and valuable to the customer, we are well versed in lender criteria, understanding which of those on our panel would be most likely process your mortgage application.

We also like to ensure you are on the best rate available to you, eliminating any stress and long delays as best as we can.

Here are the 3 main advantages of seeking mortgage advice in Lincoln:

1. Comparing Mortgage Deals
2. Understanding of Mortgage Criteria
3. Reducing Stress Levels

Comparing Mortgage Deals

Long before you could just Google the answers, comparing mortgages was a long and tedious process. Customers would use up their Saturday mornings going from bank to bank, to building society and so on, looking around to try and find the best deal on offer.

Although most of this can be cut out now, it’s still not completely straightforward, especially for those who are maybe first time buyers in Lincoln. With all the fees and charges and exit penalties from existing deals, it can be very confusing.

We use daily-updated mortgage sourcing software so that your dedicated mortgage advisor can recommend the most suitable mortgage for you, the customer. It’s our goal as a company, as a team, to save both your time and your money.

Understanding of Mortgage Criteria

You may be able to source a good deal, but it’s an entirely different ball game when it comes to actually being accepted for that deal. It’s not as simple as finding and asking for it, as you’ll have to match the lenders criteria for it.

There are lots of different reasons why people get declined for a mortgage nowadays, including low credit score, length of time they have been employed or self-employed (self-employed mortgages in Lincoln are always becoming more popular, so it’s important to do research ahead of time if you are your own boss), and failing the affordability calculator.

There are even more than that, but what is important to take away from this, is it is not something to be taken lightly. If you jump into the unknown, unprepared and ultimately unmatched, this could lead to a damaged credit rating. Every time you apply for a deal, the mortgage lender will carry out a credit search.

Too many applications to deals you don’t qualify for can come across to other lenders like you’re constantly being declined for something, which in turn could lead to the right lender with the right deal declining you as well. Your best bet is to speak with us first, so we can try and match you up with the right lender the first time.

Reducing Stress Levels

It has been said that other than dealing with the loss of a close family member or going through a divorce, that moving house is the most stressful experience you will face in your lifetime. This is especially the case if you’re selling a property and trying to complete your new purchase at the same time.

It’s our job to reduce your stress levels and work hard to make sure your mortgage application runs as smoothly as it possibly can. The best advice we can give, is to suggest getting in touch and speaking with a mortgage advisor in Lincoln, prior to finding a new home. In doing so, you will know roughly how much you are able to borrow and what your monthly mortgage repayments will be.

There’s a lot to work through with the legal aspects of your property purchase, packing and dealing with estate agents. We regularly hear from customers that they were glad to have a Mortgage Advisor in Lincoln by their side throughout the mortgage process. Get in touch and we’ll see how we are able to help you!

The Pros and Cons of Using a Mortgage Broker in Lincoln

The Pros and Cons of Using a Mortgage Broker in Lincoln

Deciding to buy your first property is a challenging task. Therefore, you must take your time, look around for various options thoroughly and make an informed decision.

As you might anticipate, we believe there are some excellent reasons to use a mortgage broker in Hull. Whether the brokerage service is online, you can still pay a visit directly to the lender. Even in technological advancement, we find that most people still refer to a mortgage broker. Hence, we will take you through the pros and cons of both methods.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Firstly, a well-versed mortgage broker will take the time to have an initial conversation with the applicant to help him decipher if you are mortgage ready to make an application. When contacting us and gathering the necessary details, one of our mortgage advisors in Lincoln will make sure to shop around and get the best deals possible.

One of the most notable advantages of going with a mortgage broker is valuable expertise in the home buying or refinancing process. Mortgage brokers have ample industry experience to lean on when offering mortgage solutions to their customers.

Similarly, our mortgage broker in Hull also has access to try and find wholesale rates on home loans. These rates can be lower than the retail interest rates, helping borrowers save a substantial amount of money over the life of a home loan.

Most importantly, a Mortgage broker can be your point of contact from the time you first call them right up to when you finally get the keys of your house in your hands, and we will guide you through the entire process.

Bank vs Broker

On the contrary, going to a bank helps save you a broker fee, saving yourself a reasonable amount. In earlier years, another significant advantage of a bank was that the branch manager knows an individual’s finances in and out. However, that all went by the wayside when credit scoring came in and is no longer the factor.

Likewise, some Lenders offer exclusive ‘direct-only’ deals that a broker would not have any access. Lenders do this to attract a wide range of applicants to make a good spread of business from consumers and brokers alike, turning exclusive products on and off when deeming necessary. On the other side, some products may only be available via the broker and not direct with the lender.

From 2014 onwards, lenders got restricted to sell mortgages on a non-advised basis to just anyone. Up until that point, many applicants felt like the non-advisors had been trying to force actual advice on them. They weren’t able to benefit from some consumer protection that goes with mortgage sales conducted by professionally trained mortgage advisors.

Lenders were coming to terms with and hence the issues present in these services led to a significant shift towards more applications getting made via mortgage brokers who are quick enough to offer you same day mortgage service.

You also need to check carefully if a lender is willing to lend you a considerable amount of money. It does not matter how good a lender’s deal might seem, but he should lend a significant amount. For this reason, people opt to go to an apt and professional mortgage broker in Lincoln.

Handling Difficult Cases

Nowadays, mortgage applications are no more straightforward. Many factors make a case more complicated. A few of the examples are as follows:

– Poor credit history
– Too much debt
– Payday loans
– Self-Employed Income
– Mixed source of deposit (savings/gift)
– Let to Buy (keeping your current house and buying another)
– Contract workers/zero-hours contracts
– Affordability

In the past years, lenders could stand out from the competition by offering a better deal to the applicants. In the current era, this is different because the lending criteria vary from one lender to another. Some lenders lend more to Self Employed applicants or take a more empathetic view of their credit report’s previous discrepancies.

When you explain your case to an experienced mortgage broker in Hull, there is a possible chance that they have encountered the same thing earlier in the past, allowing them to personalize their service and help you through the process. With extensive experience in the field, your mortgage advisor will hopefully be able to recommend the most suitable lender for you at the lowest rate possible.

More than that, it is not just about getting the Mortgage. Even if the application itself is self-explanatory, we offer extensive experience and knowledge to our clients. For example, we will discuss how much we will deliver on the property they are buying. Our team of mortgage advisors in Hull can recommend other professional services such as Solicitors and explain the different types of protection and survey available.

Responsive Service

Another significant advantage of using a mortgage broker is that the brokers are far more responsive than some lenders. Delivering personalized service is the differentiating factor between the broker and a lender.
Besides, another significant reason for hiring a mortgage broker is that it helps you save time. Most customers prefer a broker because they are too busy nowadays. they might need a mortgage but have no time to get it done so that our advisor will take the weight off for you.

You only need one application with a mortgage broker rather than individually filling out forms for every lender. Your mortgage broker can also provide a comparison of any loans recommended; guiding you to the information that accurately portrays cost differences, with current rates, points, and closing costs for each loan reflected.

Sole Name Mortgage Advice for a Married Applicant in Lincoln

Most married couples would rather make joint mortgage applications as opposed to a sole name mortgage. Over the years house prices have been on the rise and with house price inflation outstripping wage increases over the years, in most cases, you can only afford a house if you have two salaries coming in.

Maybe you are married and are looking for a specialist to apply for a mortgage. Sometimes there will come a time where an applicant need to make an application in their sole name as one salary may very well be enough. There are also other other reasons why one of the applicants doesn’t want to go on the application. Here we will take a look at some of these.

Previous credit problems

One of the applicants may have had a credit problem in the past, something like a bankruptcy or a CCJ. This could get in the way of them obtaining a mortgage. With this in mind, providing the spouse or partner is not connected to that issue, then you could possibly take this as an option.

The person looking to do this would need to be careful to try and avoid creating a financial association with their partner. If not, they could risk their credit score being affected by it, harming their chances of obtaining a mortgage themselves.

Mortgage Borrowing capacity

Couples generally get a lower maximum borrowing capacity, as opposed to if the working applicant took out the mortgage in their sole name. This sort of thing can occur if only one member of the couple is working.

The mortgage calculation can also depend on age. For example, if you have a 50 year old who is buying with a younger partner, then it’s possible that if they have a good income, the younger partner could go down as the sole applicant.

Lenders will look at the type of mortgage you are applying for and the deposit you are able to put down for it. If you have a large deposit, 30% or more as opposed to 5%, this may work in your favour for the mortgage application.

Tax implications

Stamp duty or other tax implications can often be the driving force behind someone opting to take out a mortgage in their sole name.

Sole Name Mortgage Advice – We can usually help

Some Lenders have stricter rules about married applicants doing mortgages in a joint name, meaning some have to be a sole applicant against their own wishes. The likely reason for this is because they are concerned that this could in some way affect their security in the future, especially if a couple were to split up down the line. Luckily not all Lenders share this unpopular view.

How to Improve Your Credit Score in Lincoln

We would always advise that our customers, new or existing, especially first time buyers in Lincoln, make sure that they are aware of the importance of making sure your credit score is looking good.With a higher score, you are likely to have a much better chance of achieving mortgage success.

That being said, it’s also important to remember that mortgage lenders have internal credit scoring systems. Just because you feel like your score is in a good position, you may still not meet the criteria for a set mortgage lender.

This is where a mortgage advisor in Lincoln comes in, as it is their job to match you up with the appropriate mortgage lender that has the best deal for you and offers the best chance of you obtaining a mortgage.

There are a lot of different several credit reference agencies in the UK, with the main ones being Experian and Equifax. It’s a good idea to review a few of these agencies in advance, so that you understand your financial position better.

In addition to this, it’s also good if one of them holds inaccurate information of you, as cross-referencing can alert you to these, so that you can rectify any mistakes.

Keep Credit Searches to a Reasonable Amount

Whilst it is good to check, it’s also important to note that taking out too many credit searches can also have a negative affect on your credit score. Price comparison websites are definitely credit searching culprits, known to conduct these on users.

If you have any plans to take out a mortgage, it may be worth waiting and applying for any further credit until your mortgage has been taken out. Whilst having and paying back credit can help your credit score, mortgage lenders would much prefer to see you in control of your finances.

Check You Are On The Voters’ Roll

Make sure that you are still on the electoral roll or that your information is correct, as this impacts your credit score also. It implies stability, which will work in your favour.

You want to make sure your name is always spelt correctly and that your current address is correct. If you aren’t registered yet, it is really straightforward for you to do this online.

Know Your Maximum Limit

Maxing out your credit cards every month will see your credit score being negatively affected. It is much more preferred if you use it to keep on top of your monthly payments and also make sure you pay it off.

Doing this is a good indicator of your mortgage lender that you are good at controlling your money. The main red flag in a mortgage lenders eyes is if you go above an agreed card limit or overdraft.

Check Your Address History Gets Input Correctly

Similarly to the electoral roll point, you might also notice on your credit report that it looks like you are living in two different addresses, due to perhaps some incorrect details you have online somewhere. This can have a negative affect also.

It is very important to make sure these are correct, as not to put off a mortgage lender. If you have previously lived in a flat, this can get a little complicated as addresses may be formatted differently.

Keep Up to Date With Credit Accounts

If you have any store or credit cards that you are no longer using, it is recommended that you contact the providers and close these accounts, to provide you with additional security.

Short term this may look questionable to a mortgage lender, as they won’t be able to see who closed the account, though in the long run, this will definitely be in your favour. It also reduces your risk of becoming a fraud victim with old cards and accounts.

Look Out For Financial Links to Others

If you are linked to any family members, ex-partners or friends financially, your credit score could be harmed without you realising, as you are tied to one another. One person having bad credit could mean your credit takes a hit.

You must contact the reference agencies to remove any financial ties if they have been closed, though they cannot be removed if an account is inactive. The sooner you can remove financial ties that aren’t necessary, the more beneficial it will be to you.

When you are looking to make a mortgage application, make sure that your credit score is in a good standing, to find the best chance of being accepted. Get in touch for specialist mortgage advice in Lincoln today and we’ll see how we can help you prepare for this, ahead of time.

Mortgage Advice in Lincoln | Mortgage Payment Holidays

At the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Government promised that all borrowers would be allowed a three-month mortgage payment holiday on the condition that they needed it. Most lenders followed the Government’s guidelines and did their best to help out their borrowers during these hard few months. 

We felt that it is best, to sum up, what mortgage payment holidays are, what lenders are doing, and who can deliver you with help and advice through these next few months. 

What is a Mortgage Payment Holiday?

Mortgage payment holidays are agreements you make with your bank, building society or mortgage lender, allowing you to take a break from your monthly mortgage payments for a set period. In the case of the current COVID-19 crisis, homeowners are being granted 3-months relief.

The 3 months will be added on at the end of your term or your payments will be recalculated at a slightly higher level, meaning you will still have to pay those 3 months back eventually.

Your interest, however, carries on as normal, meaning you’ll technically be paying an additional 3 months of interest on top of what you’ve paid already.

Most lenders would likely prefer to not extend your mortgage term, as you may end up going beyond their standard retirement age. There’ll be more information on this over time.

Depending on the mortgage deal you have in place, you may be able to pay off a lump sum later on in the year to bring your mortgage in line with where it would’ve been had you not taken a holiday.

Mortgage Payments Holidays are available for those with residential mortgages and Buy to Let mortgages, meaning landlords will also have help if their payments are affected.

What is the Government Proposal?

The full proposal is in detail below:

• Mortgage lenders will offer an automatic 3-month mortgage payment holiday for customers impacted, directly or indirectly, by COVID-19.
• The mortgage payment holiday will apply to customers who are up to date on their payments, not in arrears, and wanting to self-certify that they are impacted by COVID-19.
• This means that lenders will not complete an income and expenditure assessment, or an assessment of alternate payment options as ordinarily required under MCOB.
• This proposal will allow lenders to be more responsive to customer needs and offer forbearance in a simple way to customers in an environment where the operation of collections teams made be also impacted by COVID-19.
• Customers will be made aware that interest will accrue in the holiday period and they will need to make up deferred payments in the future.
• Customers who wish to undertake a full assessment of their ability to pay or financial difficulty may still do so.

Mortgage Payment Holidays: How do I apply?

To discuss your options for Mortgage Payment Holidays, we would recommend speaking to a Mortgage Advisor in Lincoln to start with and not jumping straight into taking a holiday.

We’ll be able to take a look for you first and see if this option is something worth your time. Lenders will no doubt be facing an influx of calls, needing to be free to speak with the most urgent matters over everyone else.

We’ll look through your personal situation and see if there are any other options for you first before you decided to take a Mortgage Payment Holiday.

For a customer, up to date with payments, not in arrears and impacted by COVID-19:

• The customer would contact the lender and inform them that they are impacted by COVID-19.
• The lender would accept these details from the customer and offer an automatic 3-month mortgage payment holiday.
• No evidence will be sought from the customer.
• The lender makes the customer aware that interest will accrue and will be contacted at the end of the three months to complete an assessment of the customer’s circumstances.
• At the end of three months, an arrangement to pay will be agreed with the customer according to their circumstances to recover any shortfall, while ensuring that the mortgage remains affordable and sustainable.
• The lender notifies the customer that if they wished to complete a full assessment now, there may be other forbearance options more suitable to the customer.

Mortgage Payment Holidays – What does this mean for my Credit Score?

Generally, these can show up on your credit score as a negative mark, but most lenders have said if your case is linked to the virus, they’ll make sure it doesn’t affect your credit score at all.

It’s important that you speak directly with your lender to ask them this, recording their response. Also take the date and time, as well as the name of who you spoke to, to avoid any confusion later on. Different lenders will handle these things differently than one another.

Will I still be able to remortgage or take a Product Transfer with my lender?

Controversial for some, but there is now evidence that lenders are asking borrowers to try and not make changes to their mortgage whilst within the holiday period. This means, for the time being, you can’t take out a remortgage or product transfer.

In simpler terms, borrowers reaching the end of their current product may be forced to move to the higher lenders variable rate. This means many borrowers who act too quickly could find themselves on a Mortgage Payment Holiday that gains interest on a more expensive variable rate.

This is another reason why we highly recommend speaking to a Mortgage Advisor in Lincoln first, to determine the right path for you to take. If possible, try arranging a transfer prior to asking for a holiday, as that seems like a more sensible option.

What “Other Options” are available?

Some lenders are offering a temporary switch to interest-only, in order to reduce monthly payments by a large amount, while not adding on any further amount to the loan, by still servicing the interest each month.

You may not need to convert the entire mortgage to an interest-only mortgage and it may be that putting only a portion of this mortgage on that basis could give you room to breathe.

Those who have savings may prefer remortgaging onto an offset basis. This would reduce their monthly payments whilst keeping their savings safe and intact.

For example, someone with a £500,000 loan and £100,000 in savings would only pay interest on £400,000 reducing their payments accordingly.

For others, remortgaging onto another lender, calculating the cost of any early repayment charges, maybe all you need to ease the pressure you currently face. You could also simply extend your current term, thus spreading your payments across a longer time frame.

To discuss any of these options, or to just have a helpful chat about your current situation please contact us and we’ll see how we can be of assistance.