Remortgaging in Middlesbrough, a financial step that might seem a little complicated at first glance, is a significant consideration for many homeowners at different stages of their homeownership journey.
At its core, remortgaging encompasses two primary approaches: transferring your existing mortgage to a new lender or renegotiating the terms of your existing mortgage with your current lender.
The motivations behind opting for a remortgage in Middlesbrough are diverse, and this process can yield substantial financial advantages when undertaken with careful consideration.
To grasp the intricacies of the remortgaging process in Middlesbrough, it’s essential to dissect it into several fundamental steps:
The journey kicks off with a comprehensive evaluation of your existing mortgage and financial circumstances. This entails calculating important factors such as your remaining mortgage balance, prevailing interest rate, and monthly payments.
This initial assessment is pivotal in determining the viability of pursuing a remortgage in Middlesbrough.
Extensive research into the array of mortgage deals available in the market is a key step. It’s imperative to seek out lenders who offer competitive interest rates and terms that align with your financial goals.
Additionally, consulting with a dedicated mortgage advisor in Middlesbrough who can provide personalised guidance based on your unique situation can prove invaluable in this process.
Once you’ve selected a mortgage deal that suits your needs, the subsequent step involves filling out a comprehensive mortgage application.
During this stage, the lender will carefully assess your application, considering various factors including your credit history, income, and the value of the property in question. This thorough evaluation is a pivotal part of the process.
To ascertain the current market value of your property, it may be necessary to undergo a valuation process. Normally, the lender will arrange for a qualified appraiser to conduct an assessment of your home. This step is essential in gauging the property’s worth in the current market.
Legal procedures are an integral component of the remortgaging process in Middlesbrough. It may be necessary to enlist the services of a solicitor or conveyancer to oversee legal matters, which encompass property searches and the secure transfer of funds.
These professionals play a pivotal role in ensuring that all legal aspects are properly addressed during the remortgage process.
Upon satisfying the lender’s requirements, you’ll be presented with an official mortgage offer. It’s imperative to meticulously review this offer to confirm that it aligns with your financial objectives and expectations.
Upon the successful completion of all essential checks and paperwork, your new mortgage deal is formally concluded. This finalisation stage may entail the payment of arrangement fees and any other associated costs.
Now that your new mortgage is in place, you begin making your monthly payments in accordance with the terms of the new deal. It’s important to ensure that you make these payments on time, as this contributes to maintaining a healthy financial profile.
Homeowners consider remortgaging in Middlesbrough for a variety of reasons, each situation being unique. One prevalent motivation is the desire to secure a better interest rate. Lowering your interest rate can result in substantial savings over the lifespan of your mortgage.
Moreover, remortgaging is frequently employed to unlock the equity tied up in your property. This equity can be utilised for various purposes, including home improvements, debt consolidation, or pursuing a range of other financial objectives.
Changing your mortgage type is another factor that prompts homeowners to consider remortgaging. As your financial circumstances evolve, your current mortgage type may no longer align with your needs, and transitioning to a different type can provide greater flexibility or more advantageous terms.
Lastly, some homeowners opt for remortgaging as a means of consolidating high-interest debt, such as credit card balances or personal loans, into their mortgage. This move can lead to lower monthly payments and simplified financial management.
Remortgaging can bring forth several advantages, including the potential for reduced monthly payments, access to home equity for financial pursuits, the opportunity to consolidate high-interest debt, and the flexibility to tailor your mortgage to better align with your financial needs.
In summary, remortgaging is a process that allows homeowners to transition their mortgage to a new lender or renegotiate the terms of their existing mortgage.
Individuals opt for remortgaging in Middlesbrough for a myriad of reasons, spanning from securing more favourable interest rates to unlocking the value of their home, and this journey encompasses several steps, including assessment, research, application, property valuation, legal procedures, and finalising the terms of the new mortgage.
When contemplating remortgaging, it’s imperative to conduct a thorough evaluation of your options. In cases where necessary, seeking expert remortgage advice in Middlesbrough can be instrumental in making well-informed decisions that set a positive course for your financial future.
As a homeowner, it’s inevitable that the introductory period of your mortgage will eventually come to an end. Like many homeowners, you might be contemplating the option of remortgaging your property.
The decision to remortgage in Middlesbrough depends on your specific goals and aspirations. While many homeowners see it as a natural progression to enhance their lifestyle or maximise the potential of their property, it may not be suitable for everyone.
At our dedicated remortgage advice team, we take the time to thoroughly assess your situation, understand your objectives, and determine if remortgaging is the most suitable path for you.
We believe in providing transparent service, so if it’s not the right option for you, our mortgage advisor in Middlesbrough will openly communicate this and explore alternative solutions if available.
Naturally, when it comes to any mortgage decision, thorough consideration is essential. There are numerous factors that may influence someone’s choice to remortgage their home in Middlesbrough as their introductory period draws to a close.
In recent times, one of the primary reasons homeowners consider remortgaging in Middlesbrough is the anticipation of rising interest rates. While historically interest rates are lower than they used to be, the likelihood of them increasing is higher than decreasing.
Therefore, it can be advantageous to remortgage as soon as possible and secure a fixed rate for a specific duration. Most individuals opt for 2-5 year fixed rates, although longer-term options may also be available.
By doing so, you can take advantage of the current low rates and potentially save a significant amount of money in the long run, even if interest rates rise during that time.
Sometimes the motivation to remortgage is not driven by rising interest rates, but rather the desire to access a better rate that may be available to you. Over time, as equity builds within your property and its value increases, you may qualify for a lower loan-to-value ratio.
This improved equity position enables you to secure more favorable rates, potentially leading to cost savings or a shorter mortgage term, if that aligns with your goals.
Additionally, some homeowners choose to release equity through their remortgage in Middlesbrough as a means of funding home improvements, modifications, or renovations.
Rather than moving to a different property, they prefer to enhance their current home, where they have established a life and potentially raised or plan to raise a family.
Popular choices for utilising released equity include renovating the kitchen, creating a home office, adding an extra bedroom, expanding living spaces, constructing a conservatory, and more.
Not only do these enhancements cater to specific needs, but they can also increase the property’s value, which can be beneficial if you intend to sell in the future.
Throughout the duration of your mortgage term, you may have accumulated unsecured debts that have made it challenging to manage all your payments effectively. While it comes with certain risks, many homeowners opt to remortgage in Middlesbrough for the purpose of debt consolidation.
Debt consolidation involves merging all your unsecured debts into your mortgage, resulting in a single monthly payment. This approach offers several benefits, including freeing up more funds each month and reducing the number of outgoing payments you need to manage.
Additionally, consolidating your debt extends its repayment duration over the course of your mortgage, which means you’ll end up paying more in overall interest.
It’s important to carefully consider the pros and cons of this strategy, as while it can provide short-term relief and simplify your finances, it may result in a higher total interest cost in the long run.
Consulting with a professional mortgage advisor in Middlesbrough can help you assess the viability of debt consolidation through remortgaging and explore alternative options based on your specific circumstances.
You should think carefully before securing other debts against your home. By adding your unsecured debts to your mortgage, which is secured on your home, you are potentially putting your home at risk if you cannot make the required repayments.
Although the total monthly cost of servicing your debt may have reduced, the total cost of repayment may still have risen as the term of your mortgage is longer than it may have taken to repay the debts originally.
Before your introductory period ends, it’s crucial to seek remortgage advice in Middlesbrough to determine the best course of action for your specific situation. Consulting with an expert in the field will help you make an informed decision.
Your mortgage advisor in Middlesbrough may suggest a product transfer as a more suitable option. This involves obtaining a new mortgage deal with your current mortgage lender, which can be beneficial if you’re content with your current property but seeking a different mortgage product.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a new home with more space, moving house might be the better choice. In rare cases, falling onto your mortgage lender’s Standard Variable Rate (SVR) of interest may be considered, although this is typically more expensive in terms of monthly mortgage payments.
If you’re aged 55 or above and your property is valued at £70,000 or more, it may be worth exploring equity release options with a qualified later life mortgage advisor in Middlesbrough.
They can provide valuable insights into lifetime mortgage options, discussing the advantages and disadvantages associated with them.
Take advantage of our online booking feature to schedule a free remortgage review today. During this review, a trusted and experienced mortgage advisor in Middlesbrough will thoroughly assess your circumstances and provide clarity on the most appropriate option for you.
To understand the features and risks of equity release and lifetime mortgages, ask for a personalised illustration.
A lifetime mortgage may impact the value of your estate and it could affect your entitlement to current and future means tested benefits. The loan plus accrued interest will repayable upon death or moving into long term care.
The act of taking out a remortgage in Middlesbrough is where you will be taking on a new mortgage to pay off and replace an existing mortgage that you have. This can be done for a wide variety of reasons.
A remortgage in Middlesbrough may not always be the appropriate decision for a homeowner, though it can be a great way for many homeowners to achieve any particular goals they have in mind, such as the ones we will cover here.
As a general rule, when it comes to your mortgage, you will have some form of introductory or fixed period attached to your deal. Homeowners quite often will fix in for 2-5 years of their full term length, as this allows them to keep their interest rates and mortgage payments consistent for that duration.
When that period is set to come to an end, a homeowner will then usually look at the steps they have next, which most often includes a remortgage in Middlesbrough.
We personally will look to remake contact with our customers about 6 months before their deal is set to conclude, so we are able to run through the process in the background. This will hopefully allow for a seamless transition as your new mortgage starts as the old one finishes.
It’s important that you don’t look to remortgage in Middlesbrough any earlier than this (unless you have discussed with a mortgage advisor in Middlesbrough and it is deemed beneficial), as otherwise you would likely face early repayment charges.
Before we look at why people may remortgage in Middlesbrough, it’s also important that you are aware of the alternatives. For example, some homeowners could instead look at their options for a remortgage in Middlesbrough to create more space within their home.
Whilst this could be a possible option, other homeowners may just look at moving to a new home instead.
Further to this, there is something called a product transfer. Whilst taking out a remortgage would see you taking out a new mortgage in Middlesbrough with a new lender, a product transfer is where you will switch onto a new deal, but stay with the same mortgage lender.
Last of all, if you are over the age of 55 and you happen to own a property that is worth at least £70,000, you could look at taking out an Equity Release plan. It is important that you have a chat with a qualified later life mortgage advisor in Middlesbrough to see if it is the right choice for you.
To understand the features and risks of equity release in Middlesbrough and lifetime mortgages, ask for a personalised illustration.
A lifetime mortgage may impact the value of your estate and it could affect your entitlement to current and future means tested benefits. The loan plus accrued interest will repayable upon death or moving into long term care.
That being said, a remortgage in Middlesbrough can still prove to be your best option and they can be useful for a variety of reasons. Below are some of the most popular reasons we hear of for homeowners taking out a remortgage in Middlesbrough on their home.
One situation that we come across quite frequently is a homeowner taking out a remortgage in Middlesbrough with a view to find a much better mortgage term or mortgage deal.
When your introductory or fixed-period comes to an end, you will move onto your mortgage lenders Standard Variable Rate, which will generally be at a much higher rate of interest.
It’s incredibly rare that an SVR will actually be better for you, which is why most people just look to remortgage in Middlesbrough instead, as it will likely be a better deal. They will use the equity in their home to access a lower loan to value, which should lower interest rates and monthly costs.
If you would rather pay back your mortgage much more quickly, you may also be able to keep your monthly mortgage payments the same, whilst shortening your overall mortgage term length. This could also possibly save you money, as there will be less interest for you to pay overall.
Every home has some level of equity sitting in it. This equity in your home will be the difference between the value of the property and what is left on your mortgage balance. As the balance starts to go down, the amount of equity will go up. If the value of the property goes up, so too will the equity amount.
Homeowners could also look at using this equity with a remortgage in Middlesbrough to release equity, which can be used for all kinds of reasons. Below we have listed some of the more popular options that homeowners use it for.
As you go through your term, you may find that it is necessary to make changes to your home, especially if you’d rather not move and you really want to stay. We quite regularly chat with customers who want to remortgage in Middlesbrough for home improvements.
Whether you are looking to make a new home extension for more space, alter existing space within your home or remodel a kitchen, to name just a few examples, this can be a great option for homeowners in Middlesbrough.
Please bear in mind that the majority of mortgage lenders will probably want you to provide quotes for the work that is to be carried out, if this is something you wish to achieve with your remortgage in Middlesbrough.
Following on from that point, homeowners may look to spend now and save later, by making home alterations that will help with saving on energy.
Installing solar panels has become quite a popular choice for homeowners in the way they generate their energy, as well as devices that convert wind into power. Wall insulations, replacing doors and windows are all great ways to reduce costs and be a little greener.
Another common occurrence when looking at why some may look to remortgage in Middlesbrough to release equity, is for debt consolidation.
Whilst a remortgage in Middlesbrough to consolidate debts can work out really well for some, it’s not a decision that should be made lightly and we would recommend that you enquire for remortgage advice in Middlesbrough ahead of time.
A debt consolidation will see you merge your unsecured debts with your mortgage, into one manageable monthly payment. Though it will hopefully lower your monthly outgoings, it will generally cost more overall on interest, as that will be extended across your term.
You should think carefully before securing other debts against your home. By adding your unsecured debts to your mortgage, which is secured on your home, you are potentially putting your home at risk if you cannot make the required repayments.
Although the total monthly cost of servicing your debt may have reduced, the total cost of repayment may still have risen as the term of your mortgage is longer than it may have taken to repay the debts originally.
Another frequent situation we hear of, as to why a homeowner may look to remortgage in Middlesbrough to release equity, is to provide a family member or friend with a gifted deposit. This is more likely to be found with parents helping their children buy their first home.
This gifted deposit can either be used as part of or the full amount of a home their child is hoping to buy. You will also have to sign a form that indicates it is not a loan and is solely a gift, as well as evidence of your funds and how they have built up.
If you are nearing the end of your introductory or fixed-period and are considering a remortgage for either of the options mentioned above, or even perhaps something else altogether, please feel free to get in touch and book a free remortgage review today.
You’ll benefit from taking out remortgage advice in Middlesbrough, that is provided by an expert mortgage advisor in Middlesbrough.
When your introductory mortgage deal comes to an end your mortgage lender may offer you a new deal to stay with them, this is known as a product transfer.
Unfortunately, lenders do not always reward your loyalty and the offer they make you may not be competitive with deals you could get elsewhere. Even more annoyingly, these product transfer rates are not as good as the deal they offer new customers either!
Whilst swapping to a new deal with your current Lender may well be fairly easy online, it is always in your interest to see what other deals you may be eligible for. Lenders will also tempt you to effect a new deal online without taking advice.
This can be really dangerous because if you do this without advice you are waving goodbye to all the valuable consumer protection you would otherwise have benefitted from.
We have seen numerous examples of customers affecting these “follow-on” deals and locking themselves into an inappropriate deal. Because they opted out of advice then they have waived a lot of their rights in terms of making a complaint.
We did have a recent case where a customer who was pregnant did this and was declined for a small further advance to fund some necessary home improvements a few months later. She then had to pay a hefty early repayment charge to swap to a new Lender who would grant her the additional funds.
If we think a product transfer is the most suitable deal for you we will recommend that as a course of action for you and if we arrange the mortgage for you as a mortgage broker in Middlesbrough then all the regulation and consumer protection will apply.
In short, even if your requirement seems straightforward we recommend you always take mortgage advice in Middlesbrough– a second opinion costs nothing and making a mistake when taking a new product can be costly.
The remortgage market is highly competitive and savings can generally be made by searching the market for a new deal, this is why looking into remortgage advice in Middlesbrough is hightly reccomended.
Statistics show that in recent years property prices have increased at a faster rate than wages. We have found that many people look to purchase in joint names with a partner or friend in order to be able to afford a suitable home at a more reasonable price.
Purchasing in joint names usually will increase your maximum borrowing capacity, as the lender will look at all parties income and take this into account when running the affordability calculations.
Surprisingly, we work with some lenders who will accept up to 4 people co-owning a property. If for any reason, one of the co-owners of the property decides to no longer contribute to the mortgage repayments, any joint owners will still have the legal right to reside in the property unless this is ruled otherwise by a court.
If you would like to increase the mortgage at a later date, you must gain consent from all co-owners involved. It’s therefore essential that you make long term plans about what will happen in the future should you end up wanting different things.
We find the most popular Tenancy for married couples or those in civil partnerships is ‘Joint Tenancy’. With this type of tenure, if either party were to pass away, the property would be handed over to the co-owner. If you have taken out relevant life insurance, at this point, your mortgage would be repaid.
With ‘Joint Tenancy’, when looking to remortgage or sell the property in the future. It would be required that all names on the tenancy agree to this.
When purchasing with relatives or friends, we find that ‘Tenants In common’ is the most popular tenure. You will still jointly co-own the property but are have the flexibility to do so not with equal shares. This works well if one party is making a more significant financial contribution than the other.
With ‘Tenants in Common’, another positive aspect, is that you can act independently. For example, you can choose to sell or give away your share of the property to someone else without the need to consult other parties.
All mortgage borrowers are jointly and severally liable for mortgage payments If you find yourself paying all future payments without a co-owner, you will still be liable. Preventing the mortgage from falling into any debt.
As mortgage arrears showing on your credit file could have the potential to stop you from obtaining a mortgage in the future. It is best to think of it like this: You don’t own 50% of a property, you own 100% jointly.
Lenders will need to be confident that you can keep up with monthly payments on your own before they can approve of this happening.
When purchasing a home with a partner, it’s a whole new chapter starting in your life and can be a great way to start fresh with another individual. In all the excitement of moving home, it can make you wonder about the justifications if things go sideways.
As seen from above, a mortgage is a big financial commitment and making changes is going to be a challenge.
With physical proof that you can maintain mortgage payments since your old partner moved, the lender may agree to your request to put the mortgage into your single name. However, Lenders like the idea that there are two people to pursue in the event of arrears occurring. To remove someone, they will carry out a brand-new affordability assessment, precisely in the same way as they would at the point of purchase.
Whilst a lender may not accept a request, it’s always beneficial to speak with a mortgage advisor in Middlesbrough beforehand, as there may be other lenders who could agree to your transfer request.
It can also be worth talking to family members to see if they can help you out to make life a little bit easier. They can do so by replacing your ex on your mortgage or by gifting you a lump sum to reduce the amount owed meaning your savings are able to contribute to easing your future mortgage payments.
If you and your partner split up and you leave the family home, then your responsibility is still shared for mortgage payments. Even if an agreement is settled with your ex that they will make all the payments.
If you are sending your partner money each month, you should keep an eye on your credit report to ensure they are paying the mortgage. If they default, then it will impact your own score.
Is your name still linked with an existing mortgage? Then the payments for that will be considered if you buy a new home of your own. That will mean Lenders might not lend you as much as you would like.
Buying a home with someone is different from renting with them. It’s always better to agree on what would happen to the house should things not plan out as expected.
Whether you are a first time buyer in Middlesbrough or moving home in Middlesbrough and thinking of purchasing in Joint Names. Perhaps you looking to remove a name from a mortgage by looking into a remortgage in Middlesbrough in your sole name? Book your free mortgage appointment to speak with one of our friendly mortgage team, we will be more than happy to answer all of your questions.
Selling your home quickly in Middlesbrough doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right strategies and attention to detail, you can attract potential buyers and secure a speedy sale. Here, we’ll walk you through some helpful tips and essential aspects to consider when moving home in Middlesbrough.
First impressions matter, and this couldn’t be truer when it comes to selling your home. Start by addressing any minor repairs or maintenance issues that might catch a buyer’s eye. Fix leaky faucets, squeaky doors, and cracked tiles. A clean and well-maintained home leaves a positive impression on potential buyers.
If you have kids, it’s essential to manage the chaos that can come with daily life. While it might be challenging, keeping the home tidy and organised can play a significant role in attracting first time buyer in Middlesbrough. Consider implementing a routine to keep toys, clothes, and other items in order. Having a dedicated storage space can help maintain a clutter-free atmosphere during showings.
Buyers are often looking for a home that’s been well taken care of. Ensure your home’s mechanical systems, such as plumbing, and electrical, are in good working condition. A home inspection report can help identify potential issues and allow you to address them before listing your property.
Home staging involves arranging your furniture and decor to showcase your home’s best features and create an inviting atmosphere. Consider decluttering and using neutral colors to make your home feel more spacious and appealing to a wider range of buyers. You don’t need to spend a fortune on professional staging; small changes can make a big difference.
Proper lighting can significantly influence how your home appears to potential buyers. Make sure to open curtains and blinds to let in natural light. Consider replacing dim or outdated light fixtures with modern options that provide ample illumination. Well-lit rooms feel more inviting and spacious.
Applying a fresh coat of paint can breathe new life into your home. Stick to neutral colors that appeal to a broader audience and help buyers envision their furniture and decor in the space. A neutral palette also makes it easier for buyers to visualise how they can personalise the home.
The exterior of your home is the first thing buyers see. Boost your curb appeal by maintaining a well-manicured lawn, trimming bushes and trees, and adding colorful plants or flowers. A well-kept exterior signals to potential buyers that your home is well cared for both inside and out.
Sometimes, it’s beneficial to get an outsider’s perspective. Ask friends or family to tour your home and provide honest feedback. They might notice things you’ve overlooked or offer suggestions for improvement. Constructive criticism can be invaluable in preparing your home for a quick sale.
If your current mortgage deal is coming to an end or you feel that you need to borrow some extra money then it could be near the time to remortgage in Middlesbrough. It normally happens quite often that customers leave it too late and ultimately end up lapsing on their lenders’ standard variable rate.
If by chance this happens then you may be paying more than you need to on your mortgage payments each month.
If you stick to relying on your current Lender offering you a new deal then you could potentially be missing out on lower rates somewhere else. By not shopping around, you make it easier for your lender as they are benefiting by receiving the additional payments that could be going into your savings.
If you choose to switch online and not speak to anyone, you’ll be carrying out an execution-only mortgage. That will lead to you not benefiting from the consumer protection in which you would have had by taking remortgage advice in Middlesbrough.
Again, this benefits the lender. After all, if perhaps you have taken out the wrong product, then you’ll not be able to complain because you had chosen this yourself.
If you find that you’re still on a low rate tracker deal, it is still worth having a look to see what is out there, especially if it looks like there’s a chance interest rates might go up. If this is something you feel might happen in the foreseeable future, you can always take out a fixed rate remortgage.
If your home would benefit from upgrading then it may be good time for you to remortgage so that you are able to carry out Home Improvements and can often pay off in the long term e.g. selling your house, as some improvements can put value into your home.
If the amount that you are asking to borrow is significant then lenders reserve the right to ask for estimates around the works that you intend to carry out. This doesn’t mean you’ll need the contractor who provided the estimate to carry out the actual works.
Additionally, home improvements don’t have to carried out just for adding value to your home, it can just be for your own pleasure.
You are able to borrow extra funds for most legal purposes, an example being, raising capital when you remortgage for almost any legal reason. But it is important to remember that you will be paying interest off on a remortgage for numerous years on average so it’s really important that you only borrow for the right reasons.
By adding unsecured debt to a mortgage, you may end up paying back more interest overall. This is because a mortgage term tends to be much longer when compared to a personal loan.
The other thing that may be important is that you are taking unsecured debt and securing it onto your home and could mean that you’re under the risk of repossession of your home if you cannot afford the mortgage in the future.
You will need to take note of the interest rates that apply to the debts that you are considering rolling into your mortgage. If you have 0% credit cards, then adding these to your mortgage will start attracting interest.
It is advisable to consider all options before deciding to consolidate debts, such as seeking help from family members for assistance if it’s available ad reduce outgoings as much as possible.
It’s important to know that you need to speak to a qualified mortgage advisor in Middlesbrough prior to securing any debts against your home.
Mortgage Protection Insurance is a term used to encompass various types of cover designed to protect borrowers from events that could severely impact upon their ability to maintain mortgage payments. There are different variations but when connected to a mortgage they are all there to provide peace of mind and usually fall into the following categories:
As a rule, if the policyholder dies within the term, then the sum assured should be enough to pay off the outstanding mortgage balance and ensure the borrower’s dependants aren’t left with a debt they might not otherwise be able to manage. Our mortgage advisors in Middlesbrough are able to run through all the different types of life cover and recommend the most suitable plan for you.
There’s an argument that says that life cover is taken for the benefit of other people – i.e. your dependents – because sadly you won’t be around to see any benefit yourself. However, these days, thanks to improvements in the sort of medical treatment available, many people now survive conditions that once might have been fatal.
Nevertheless, whilst undergoing what may be long spells of treatment and recovery, it could have a marked effect on your ability to meet your financial commitments. This has led to the development of Critical Illness Insurance.
Critical Illness Insurance works similarly to Life Assurance, in that it is usually taken for a specific term of years and can have different options such as level/increasing etc. It is designed to pay out a lump sum and, like Life cover, for borrowers, it is typically taken on a decreasing term basis in line with the reduction of your mortgage balance.
The key is that the benefit is paid if you fall victim to one of several specified critical illnesses, and pays out whatever the long term prognosis of that illness. The type of illnesses covered varies from company to company, that’s why this type of insurance cannot be solely price driven and advice is recommended.
In practice many companies will offer Life and Critical Illness Critical cover as a combined policy and would usually pay out on the “first event” i.e. whatever happens first – either death or a serious illness – the pay-out is made. They can also be written on a single or joint life basis.
Whereas Life and Critical Illness cover pay out a lump sum, “Income Protection” pays out a monthly sum designed to replace your wages in the event of you being unfit to work. Unlike Critical Illness coverage, there are no restrictions on the illnesses or injuries covered, the only factor being whether they make you unfit to work.
There are however restrictions on how much you can cover and how quickly benefits would start to be paid. Like Life and Critical Illness cover, these policies are underwritten based on your health and lifestyle at the time you apply. All income protection policies are written on a single life basis.
Similar in many ways to Income Protection these policies also cover you should you be made unemployed. Benefits are usually linked to your mortgage and other costs (rather than necessarily your wages) and would usually be paid one month “in arrears” after a successful claim.
These policies are only underwritten at the time of a claim rather than at the outset, which can sometimes mean there can be some confusion/delay as to whether a claim would actually be met. They are clearly a useful safety net if you are made long-term unemployed but be sure to check the details of how/when any unemployment benefits would be paid out, as it may be that you would have returned to work before any monies become due.
Probably the least common of the “mortgage protection” type policies but can often be valuable – particularly for those with young families. These plans can be taken to cover Life and/or Critical Illness and are underwritten on an application in the same way as mentioned above.
However, unlike the traditional forms of policy, rather than pay out a lump sum, the cover would pay an annual or monthly income for the remainder of the term of the plan. Thus it can replace the income of the main breadwinner for a number of years, dependent upon a particular client’s circumstances and, because of this would usually be written on a level or basis, or an index-linked basis designed to keep up with inflation.
There’s an old adage that says you can never have too much insurance. Certainly, many people have one or more of the different types of policy and it would be wrong to think of Mortgage Protection Insurance as just an “either/or” choice.
However, in the real world, affordability plays a massive part, so whilst it would be fantastic to cover yourself for every potential opportunity, a good advisor will sit down with you and tailor the type of cover to be the most suitable combination to your family’s priority and budget.
If you do take more than one type of policy, however, your advisor would usually place all the cover with one provider. This is to save you the additional policy administration charges which individual policies carry but which are reduced when bringing all the policies under one plan.
When you take on any mortgage type, you will be paying capital (the balance) and the interest (at a percentage of the remaining balance) at the same time. If you want to reduce the amount of interest you pay per month, it may be beneficial to take out an offset mortgage in Middlesbrough.
When applicants like first time buyers in Middlesbrough look to get an offset mortgage in Middlesbrough, their mortgage lender will open them up a savings account, to run alongside their mortgage term length. You will not be paying back the capital balance of your mortgage from this savings account; instead, you will lower your interest.
To use an example of this, you had a £100,000 mortgage to pay off and you chose to put £20,000 into your savings account, there will still be a £100,000 mortgage for you to pay per month. However, you would only be paying interest on £80,000, with the remaining amount free from interest.
The amount of interest you usually pay is calculated as a percentage of your mortgage balance, which increases the total amount you pay. With this in mind, the more interest you offset into your savings account, the less you’ll have to pay overall, which can save you money.
As we said, the money you will put into your savings account must be offset by your interest, which will reduce your overall mortgage payments. Unlike for a standard savings account, you do not pay tax on it. This is certainly more beneficial for taxpayers with higher rates.
One possible drawback of this type of mortgage is that your savings will not grow like a standard savings account. No interest will be earned on an offset mortgage savings account.
Even with this, a potential mortgage applicant may still not be deterred, especially since you could save so much by offsetting interest. Another good side is that the account has a lot of flexibility.
Looking back at the previous example of a £100,000 mortgage and savings of £20,000, if you then needed to use some of your savings, in perhaps an emergency situation, you can do this. It’s important to remember though, you would once again be paying interest on a higher amount.
So whilst perhaps you are only paying interest on £80,000 at that time, if you were to draw out £10,000, you would then be paying interest on £90,000 again until you had enough funds to deposit back into your offset mortgage savings account.
You will always be responsible for your monthly mortgage payments, but you will pay much less on your interest overall.
If you ever got to a point where you could offset the entire balance closer to the end of your term, perhaps through some handy work bonuses or inheritance, you would still be responsible for your capital repayments, you would just have much less interest.
This means that while offsetting your entire mortgage balance would effectively reduce your interest rate to nothing, the capital will still be there (your mortgage will consist of capital and interest) and must be repaid.
Depending on who your mortgage lender is, you can make overpayments of your mortgage by a certain additional amount per year. Typically, it is up to 10% per year, although it is always worth asking your mortgage lender first.
Overpaying by too much per year can lead to you potentially owing an early repayment charge.
While you may have restrictions on how much you can overpay your mortgage balance, you have the freedom to put as much as you want into your savings whenever you want to.
There are many factors to think about when taking out an offset mortgage in Middlesbrough, as to whether it is the most suitable option for you. This might be a difficult choice to make, especially to first time buyer in Middlesbrough and those who are looking for expert remortgage advice in Middlesbrough.
It is all about the advantages and disadvantages. As we said, higher-rate taxpayers will benefit from it because their savings are tax-free. You can also use the flexibility to withdraw and deposit funds as you wish.
Another positive, especially if you apply for a first time buyer mortgage in Middlesbrough, is that someone else may have the option to offset against your mortgage, meaning a family member or friend could help bring your payments down, though this depends on the mortgage lender.
At the end of the day, you at least need to be making significantly large payments into this savings account to see the benefits and to outweigh the costs that are involved with offset mortgages.
To speak to a mortgage advisor in Middlesbrough, book a free mortgage appointment today and we’ll look to see if an offset mortgage, or discuss the many different types of mortgages in Middlesbrough, to find you something more suitable.
Read our 8 Reviews
Middlesbroughmoneyman.com & Middlesbroughmoneyman are trading styles of UK Moneyman Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
UK Moneyman Limited is Registered in England, No. 6789312 | Registered Address: 10 Consort Court, Hull, HU9 1PU.
Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
We are entered on the Financial Services Register No. 627742 at www.register.fca.org.uk
Contact
Follow Us
Middlesbroughmoneyman.com & Middlesbroughmoneyman are trading styles of UK Moneyman Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
UK Moneyman Limited is Registered in England, No. 6789312 | Registered Address: 10 Consort Court, Hull, HU9 1PU.
Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
We are entered on the Financial Services Register No. 627742 at www.register.fca.org.uk
