What Mortgage Options Do I Have?

Finding the best mortgage for your requirements is vital if you are looking to succeed in your entry into the real estate market. The question is how do you start? If you aren’t aware about the various kinds of mortgages and what they are The options could be overwhelming.

Although they all serve the same goal (i.e. providing you with money to purchase property at a specific rate of interest which you’ll be required to repay over a period of time) There are a variety of kinds of mortgages that are available. They include:

Repayment
Interest-only
Fixed
Variable
Tracker
Capped
First-time buyers
A high percentile (i.e. mortgages with 95 or 100%)
Discount
Offset
Flexible
Cashback
Buy-to-let

The question is: what does each one mean? While some are pretty straightforward some are ambiguous and ambiguous. It’s the perfect time to shed some understanding of the various types of mortgages UK homeowners can pick from!

Repayment

Let’s begin with the most well-known of all mortgages, the repayment. Repayment mortgages form the basis for the majority of the other mortgages Northern Ireland that are available whatever their glitzy names and phrases.

The principle is straightforward: you take out an loan from an institution and then repay it over a time period that could be anything between 40 and 40 years in modern times, however, the majority of times it is between 20-30 years. Each month’s repayment will cover part of the amount borrowed and a part of the interest associated with the loan. After the time period is been completed, the loan will be fully paid and the property becomes yours.

Naturally, when talking about long durations that are a long time span, the possibility is that you’ll need to leave before the time expires in which case likely. The options are fairly straightforward to consider: you could port your mortgage (take your mortgage to the new location) or take the rest of the loan and then start by obtaining a new loan on the new house you’ve purchased.

Interest-only

The interest-only type of mortgage is, if you can think of a better term for calling them, the least interesting one that we have listed. Although, as we’ve mentioned previously the majority of mortgages operate on the basis of a repayment principal but interest-only mortgages function in a completely different way.

Like the name implies, interest-only loans operate by paying the interest on the mortgage every month. It’s a great idea when you realize the amount you’ll need to pay each month, but you’ll still have to pay to pay the borrowed amount at the time that the loan term is over. This means that you must be certain that you be able to pay back the loan after the loan expires and you’re required to sell your house.

The majority of buyers who take advantage of interest-only mortgages prefer high-interest savings accounts with fixed rates which lock in their funds to make sure they have enough funds to cover the mortgage at the time However, others have been more imaginative over time. But, it’s important to keep the fact that lending institutions could inquire about what you intend to do to pay back the money borrowed prior to stumping up the money, so keep this in mind when approaching a bank or a building society to get this kind of loan.

Fixed rate

A favorite among first-time buyers and all those during the midst of uncertainties (hello Brexit! ) This is a fixed-rate mortgage. This is a different type of mortgage that fulfills exactly what it states on the label, namely that the rate is fixed for a specified duration of time. The timeframe could range from a couple of years for the lower end and into 10 years or more in certain cases.

The benefit of an interest-only loan is clear: it is clear where you are for the length of the fixed term. Whatever transpires elsewhere, your payments will be the same each month until the loan is over. After the term is completed, the mortgage will be converted into the standard variable rate of your lender (SVR) which means you’ll be able to change lenders or request a fixed rate with the current provider if you choose to make the switch.

There’s always a downside as well. If rates for mortgages drop in the future, you’ll have to pay on your mortgage at a higher rate, while other people benefit from a decrease in their monthly installments. In addition, you’ll be obligated for the entire period, which means that if you choose to repay, switch or cancel the mortgage before the specified timeframe has expired, you’ll be required make a payment for an early-payment fee which is determined when you sign the agreement.

Variable rate

As stated above that lenders have an average variable rate that they base all their other products on the same variable rate that the fixed-rate mortgage is reverting to when the fixed term is over. In essence, this is the basic rate for a lender’s mortgage.

The variable aspect refers on the rate of interest you pay on the amount you loan and can fluctuate both ways. Mortgages with variable rates are tied to the base rate of the Bank of England. rate, however they are dependent on the lending institution’s requirements as well. This means that the rate may increase regardless of whether the BoE’s rate stays the same.

Trackers

Like SVRs, tracker mortgages which follow a specified interest rate, which is set by an amount, which is either above or below the percentage of. The rate that these mortgages typically follow is the Base rate of the Bank of Britain so should you are a member of the BoE decides to raise prices, the mortgage payments will be affected and vice versa in the event that they choose to reduce them.

A aspect to consider when using trackers is that the lender’s specifications for the lower portion of their base rate. A lot of trackers will state that the loan can’t fall below a particular rate, irrespective of what the BoE decides, while stating that there’s no cap at the top portion. The loan will be protected by a standard profit margin, however there is no guarantee that your payments going through the ceiling.

Capped rate

If the last paragraph of the previous section has given you nightmares the fixed rate mortgage could work better for you. The term “capped rate” means that your rate of interest will never go over the amount that you have agreed to pay when you apply for the loan, however you may still gain if the interest rate drop.

Capped rate mortgages are however, difficult to come across in the present time.

First-time buyers

First-time buyers are able to pick any mortgage in this listing (with one exception, buy-to-let) Certain lenders could provide special offers only to those seeking to get onto an investment ladder first.

The mortgages are often linked to government programs such as Help to Buy.

High percentile

Also called 95 percent or 100 high percentile mortgages, these loans are available to those who aren’t able to come up with a large enough investment to buy a house. They virtually disappeared following the financial crisis of 2007, but they’re beginning to appear in the market. With the introduction of help to Buy in 2013 also offers those struggling to come up with the typical 10 percent minimum deposit an opportunity to climb the ladder, however it’s not completely risk-free.

Lending on these short-term margins exposes the borrower to the potential of negative equity. Without the security of an adequate deposit, home values only need to decrease by a small amount and the mortgage would end up being more than that of the house that it is lent to. The result of this risk usually means that lenders increase prices to cover their risks, resulting in monthly payments that are hefty in this process.

Although those who struggle to come up with a loan may consider these loans as a convenient method to get their first house but they should take note of risks that come with going in this direction before signing on the contract.

Discount rate

These mortgages can be provided under the rate of interest at which lenders offer their standard variable (SVR) in a predetermined amount. They are great when they have a stable SVR, if there is volatility in the lending market, they can be a tizzy ride because rates can rise and down.

As one might imagine, lenders typically limit the terms of these loans to a certain period typically ranging from two and five years.

Offset

Offset mortgages may not be the most sought-after loan type in our list, but they might suit a particular segment better than others. Perfect for those with adequate savings and are in the tax band with the highest rates offset mortgages work in a distinctive way which combines your savings and your mortgage together.

In essence, when you have an offset mortgage you’ll be charged interest on the difference in the mortgage amount and savings. Thus, for instance an individual with PS25,000 in savings and a mortgage of PS200,000 in savings will only be paying the interest of PS175,000. This is calculated month-to-month.

Your savings will continue to be available, eating up the funds you have available will reduce the amount you offset with, which will increase the length of your mortgage. Savings won’t earn interest if they’re utilized to offset your mortgage, but that there’s no tax to pay, and that’s the reason people who fall into the tax band with the highest rate could find this type of loan appealing.

Flexible (or flexible)

Flexible mortgages are typically sought for those who do not have the stability of their income from month-to-month for instance, those who work for themselves, for instance. Like the name implies, flexible, also known as flexi mortgages permit you to pay less or more each month, and some letting you skip payments completely in certain months when the circumstances are challenging.

The disadvantage? Flexible mortgages are usually available at a higher amount of interest from the lenders.

Cashback

Cashback became popular during the 90s in the 90s when card issuers began offering cash back on purchases as an incentive to get consumers selecting their product over a rival cards. Cashback mortgages function in the same way. You’ll receive a specific amount on the loan, often an amount of percentage, when select that particular option over other.

Cashbacks can be an impressive amount of money when you’re discussing a loan that’s many thousands of pounds however it’s not free money. Make sure you know the rate of interest you’re paying for and read the small print before you sign to a contract – you’ll find more favorable rates available if you look at everything.

Buy-to-let

Our final choice of the various types of mortgages in the UK is buy-to-let.

Buy-to-let mortgages are for people who want to purchase a home in the hopes of renting the house out rather than staying in the house. The calculation involved with a buy-tolet mortgage differ from the other mortgages mentioned above because the lender is typically looking at the amount of rental income the property is expected to generate in determining the amount they will loan.

This is all there is to it, all 13 mortgage types explained! We hope you’ve got an understanding of UK mortgage kinds, but if require assistance on anything related to property, contact us or drop us an email. We’re always ready to help.