First-time Buyers and 100% Mortgages

Expert mortgage advice for first-time buyers and home movers in Surrey

Buying a house is one of the most important purchases you will make and buying a home for the first time will be an even more daunting prospect. Add to this the vast array of first time buyer mortgage products available from a wide range of sources and you could be left making highly stressful and confusing decisions.

As experienced Surrey mortgage brokers, we are ideally placed to source first-time buyer mortgages. We have access to the vast majority of mortgage lenders in the UK, from high street favourites to specialist lenders who are willing to consider more complicated cases. We have the knowledge and expertise to take you through the entire process to find the perfect mortgage for you. We are here to make the process much easier for you.

Why not visit our guide to purchasing a property for some useful advice on getting started or read our Quick Guide to 100% mortgages below.

 

Our Quick Guide to 100% mortgages

Do 100% mortgages really exist?

You may have seen reports that the 100% mortgage is back. In theory, yes, 100% mortgages do exist, but you don’t get something for nothing! 

There are several terms used to describe these 100% mortgages which are usually taken out by first-time buyers: family springboard, parent assist, lend a hand, guarantor mortgages, family boost, family step. Each one requires security from family and even friends to help you get on the ladder.

The two main types of 100% mortgage:

1) Family or friends provide savings as security on your 100% mortgage

Family or friends put anything between 10% and 20% of the property purchase price into a savings account linked to your mortgage.

The savings are not given to you as a deposit but instead locked into the savings account for between 3 and 5 years to act as security against the mortgage. During that time the savings cannot be accessed but interest is earned on the savings. In return the lender will offer you a 100% mortgage on your property.

As long as you keep up to date on the mortgage payments, your loved ones will receive their savings back with interest after the fixed period.

2) Parents use their home as collateral for your 100% mortgage

If your parents don’t have the savings to put towards your property purchase but they have a home with no or little mortgage, they may be able to use their home as security on your new purchase.

The lender will take a charge over a portion of equity in your parent’s house which will act as security against your mortgage. The lender will then advance you 100% loan to purchase the property.

Once you have sufficient equity in your property to no longer require the collateral from your parent’s property, the charge will be removed.

Things to consider

• With both options, you must ensure you keep up to date with payments on the mortgage. If you were to fall into arrears the lender can use the security to cover the shortfall.
• Anyone acting as guarantor and providing security will be required by the lender to seek independent legal advice.
• Lenders will carry out affordability checks to establish how much they will lend you towards a property. Affordability will only take into account the applicant’s income, not that of the family/friend providing security.

 

Top Tips for first-time buyers

If you are a first-time buyer with a 5 - 10% deposit, here are some tips to make sure you get approved.

• Check you are on the electoral role at your current address. If the lender can’t find you registered at an address it can impact on a lending decision.
• It’s always a good idea to check your latest credit report. The best reports to use are ones that capture all credit referencing agencies – like checkmyfile. Your broker can always check this through and look for anything that might be of potential concern.
• Having a credit card that’s used sensibly can show that you are able to maintain financial agreements. However, make sure it's not up to its limit. If it’s up to or close to its limit this will have a negative affect on your credit score.
• Keep up to date on all payments, not just credit cards, but also overdrafts, mobile phone bills and utilities. One late payment on your account could result in your application being declined.
• When the time comes to apply for a mortgage, the lender will want to see proof of your deposit. If it’s from savings, the lender will want to see a gradual build-up of funds. Any large deposits will need to be explained. Lenders will usually accept gifted deposits from family and will consider them from abroad but you should clarify this with your broker first.
• If you earn bonuses, commission, overtime, allowances or any additional income you should be able to use these to help with affordability and therefore borrow more. Every lender has different rules on what and how much of these they will accept, so once again, you will need to take advise from your broker.

As a whole of market Surrey mortgage broker we have access to the majority of mortgages available on the market and are best placed to advise you on your options as a first time buyer or should you wish to take out a 100% mortgage. 

Contact us now to make an initial telephone or face to face appointment.