Getting a mortgage can seem like one of the most daunting tasks that you can face in your life, but it doesn’t need to be, as there are a number of small things you can do that could greatly increase your chances of getting your dream home.
The important thing to remember is that every lender is different in what they view as the ‘perfect candidate’ to lend to. Just because you don’t fit one lender’s criteria, doesn’t mean you won’t fit another’s.
What does a lender judge me on?
There are a lot of factors that go into a lender deciding whether it can lend to you or not. These can range from the size of the loan you want to take out and your outgoing costs, to your credit rating and employment status.
Is my credit rating that important?
Your credit score enables lenders to see that you have the financial means and discipline that will be required to pay back your mortgage. Key things lenders will check include your history of repayments, so if you have any ‘black marks’ where you have missed payments on credit cards, catalogues or any other existing debts within the last three months, this may hinder your chances.
It isn’t just your score that you need to be aware of…
Unfortunately, break-ups happen, so if you’ve got financial links to someone else, such as a joint bank account from a previous relationship, you will need to sever that link. If your ex-partner, or whoever the account is linked to, makes a late payment or any other credit mishap, it will reflect on your own report.
To distance yourself from the joint account, you can write to the credit agencies and ask for a ‘notice of disassociation’.
Managing your credit
It sounds obvious, but managing your credit availability is imperative when looking to secure the deal that you want.
Your ‘credit’ isn’t just your credit card limit. It’s also your debit balances on your bank accounts and overdraft limits.
The key is to get the right mix between the two. If you do have debts, credit experts suggest that they should make up less than 50% of your available credit, so if you have a £5,000 credit card limit, you should spend no more than £2,500.
Don’t apply for credit shortly before a mortgage
When applying for a mortgage, your last three months’ account statements will come under scrutiny. Because of this, it’s a good idea to avoid applying for credit at this time as it could lead to rejection, putting a dent in your chances.
If you have to apply for credit and end up getting rejected, do not apply again straight after. Lenders search your file every time you do a ‘hard search’ for credit – whether for a mobile phone contract or a new credit card – and the more that you apply, the more ‘frantic’ your spending looks.
Managing your credit is just one part in ensuring that you give yourself the greatest chance of getting the right deal for your circumstances. Applying for a mortgage can be a scary prospect, but, with the help of a professional mortgage adviser, it doesn’t need to be.
Contact us
Nigel Glossop is from Alexander James Mortgage Services. To discuss any of these issues and how they may affect you, call us on 0333 6000 008 to speak to our financial services experts from Alexander James Mortgage Services.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
There will be a fee for mortgage advice. The actual amount you pay will depend upon your circumstances. The fee is up to 1.5%, but a typical fee is 0.3% of the amount borrowed.
Correct at time of publication. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual contributor and do not necessarily reflect those of the Chancellors Group of Estate Agents Ltd or its subsidiaries. References to legislation, best practice and other matters with legal implications such as fees, rules and processes are included for information and editorial purposes only and are not authoritative, nor should they be interpreted as advice. When in doubt you should only take advice from an industry professional or solicitor where appropriate. E&OE.
