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What is a Shared Ownership Mortgage in London?

The UK government designed the Shared Ownership Scheme with the intention of helping individuals to purchase own property. This type of mortgage is available to permanent UK residents, including both first time buyers in London or former homeowners who are finding it difficult to purchase a new home.

In order for you to be able to qualify for a Shared Ownership mortgage in London, your household income must be less than £90,000. This may differ in other areas of the country.

Additionally, you will almost always be purchasing your property on a leasehold basis, which means you will be purchasing it for a set period of time.

Under the Shared Ownership Scheme, you are able to purchase a portion of your homes value, via your Shared Ownership mortgage in London. The percentage that you purchase will typically be between 25-75% of the property value.

The remaining portion that you don’t purchase will be paid as a rental cost, including any service charges or ground rent, which will be charged at a lower cost than market value and is paid to a local housing association.

Updates to The Shared Ownership Mortgage Scheme

The Shared Ownership Scheme went through some fairly significant changes in April 2021, as part of the UK government’s Affordable Homes Programme. These changes are particularly noteworthy if you’re familiar with how the scheme once worked.

Among the changes to this, the minimum percentage that is required for a property share purchase was lowered, meaning in some cases, you can purchase as low as 10%, down from the previous 25%.

Furthermore, it is now possible to purchase shares in 1% increments, as opposed to previously where you could only purchase 5-10% minimum.

In addition to the latter, the fees that typically come along with purchasing these extra shares has also been reduced, with maintenance and repair costs typically now being covered for the first 10 years of your home ownership, by the landlord, rather than yourself.

If you had previously taken out a Shared Ownership mortgage in London before these changes took effect, it is entirely possible that these new rules could actually now apply to you, but it’s always recommended you check with your mortgage lender first, as this may still vary per case.

How do I apply for a Shared Ownership mortgage in London?

Before you look at taking on the mortgage side of your process, you will first need to make sure that you can even qualify for Shared Ownership in London. In order to do this, you’ll first need to contact with an agent in the area you wish to purchase your home in.

When you speak to this agent, you will usually need to provide them with various bits of information, such as what your income is, the amount of budget you have, which area your preferred property would be in and your credit history.

Once your eligibility is confirmed, it’s time to make a start on your mortgage.

A trusted and experienced mortgage broker in London would most likely be your best port of call when it comes to this, as not every mortgage lender offers deals on a Shared Ownership in London. The amount you can borrow typically depends on things like income and other fees included, such as rent.

Pros & Cons of Shared Ownership Mortgages in London

As is often the case with most mortgages, there are both pros and cons to having a Shared Ownership mortgage in London. To give this a balanced view, it’s worth noting as said above, that not all mortgage lenders will offer mortgage deals to those using a Shared Ownership in London.

That being said, there are still more than enough mortgage lenders out there, including ones we have on panel, that can offer these types of mortgages. Furthermore, Shared Ownership mortgages in London can offer a sense of long-term stability, as you become both owner and occupier, simultaneously.

Deposits may often be an area of concern, especially for first time buyers in London, as saving for one can be challenging. Thankfully, deposits for Shared Ownership mortgages are typically much lower than they would be for open market purchases.

Whilst your deposit may still need to be, for example, 5%, it’ll only be 5% on the shares you’re purchasing. If you only want to purchase a 50% share, you’d be paying 5% on whatever 50% of the property value is.

Shared Ownership mortgages in London also make mortgages more accessible to those who are perhaps on a lower wage bracket.

Whilst these positives sound good, you have to remember that you would also be you would be paying for ground rent and service charges. Typically speaking, you can take part in “staircasing”, where you buy more shares as time goes on, when you come into the funds.

In most cases, you will be able to purchase up to 100% of the property price, where at this point, you would no longer need to pay a monthly rent. That said, your mortgage, ground rent and service charges would still apply. In other cases, you may only be allowed to purchase up to 80%.

Further to the last point, once you hit the 80% mark or higher, you will have to pay stamp duty land tax, though if you’re a first time buyer in London, this may not apply, depending on where in London you’re going to be living. Speak to a mortgage advisor in London to learn more.

Even though stamp duty can prove to be quite a costly addition to the other fees you will already have, your monthly mortgage payments can still be much cheaper than paying for an outright mortgage. It can also even be cheaper in some regards, than privately renting.

Speaking of privately renting, you will also benefit from having a tenure security, unlike you would going private. So long as you maintain all of your monthly mortgage payments, you will be able to remain within your home for your lease’s duration, which is typically between 99 and 125 years.

Because your home will be part owned by someone else, you will need to obtain permission from the appropriate housing provider prior to making any structural changes to your home. This can take away a sense of freedom you would otherwise have, by owning it outright.

Can I sell my home if I have a Shared Ownership mortgage in London?

After you have owned your home for a while, you may eventually decide that you do not wish to remain there and look to sell the property, before you look at moving elsewhere. With the majority of mortgage types, this would be fairly simple, so long as you have gone through your fixed period.

When it comes to Shared Ownership in London, it works a little differently.

Your ability to sell a home with a Shared Ownership mortgage in London will entirely depend on how much of the property you actually own, from the shares you have purchased. You’ll typically need to own 100% of the property, before selling the property can be an option for you.

It is important that you remember, however, that the housing association generally receives ‘first refusal’ rights, for the first 21 years after you have purchased your home. This means they are, by law, able to make a property purchase offer to you, before you put it on the open market.

If you do not own 100% of the property, you will have to look at purchasing all of the remaining shares, before you can look at selling the property.

Is a Shared Ownership Mortgage in London right for me?

A Shared Ownership mortgage in London can be great for first time buyers in London, who have been dreaming of getting their own property, but only have a smaller deposit to work with. Using a Shared Ownership in London can help you to achieve all of your goals.

That being said though, having a Shared Ownership mortgage in London can often prove to be a complicated journey and there can be a lot for you to work with, especially when you include all the potential fees. You must make sure that you are fully prepared and aware of all the contract details.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference. By booking in for a free mortgage appointment with a trusted and dedicated mortgage broker in London, you’ll get to speak with an expert mortgage advisor in London, with plenty of time to prepare!

You can learn more about a Shared Ownership mortgage in London by visiting the government OwnYourHome website.

Forces Help to Buy Scheme (FHTB) Explained

Armed Forces Help to Buy Scheme

The Forces Help to Buy Scheme was introduced by the government in 2014 as a response to the success of other Help to Buy Schemes. The scheme was designed to address the low rate of home ownership among members of the Tri-Service, including the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, and Royal Air Force.

To be eligible for the scheme, members of the Tri-Service must meet certain criteria as determined by the government. The Forces Help to Buy Scheme is part of the Ministry of Defence’s Defence Accommodation Strategy, which aims to provide all service members with access to good quality home ownership.

The strategy recognises the positive impact that home ownership can have on the lives of those with mobile careers, such as improved partner employability, stability for children’s education, and continuity as members transition out of active service.

The Forces Help to Buy Scheme was originally slated to end in 2019, but due to its success, the government extended the scheme and eventually transformed it into an enduring policy. This means that the scheme is now permanent and will continue to be available to all members of the Tri-Service in the future.

The Forces Help to Buy Scheme is an important tool for increasing home ownership among service members and supporting the unique needs of those with mobile careers.

How does the Forces Help to Buy Scheme work?

The Forces Help to Buy (FHTB) Scheme allows eligible service personnel to borrow up to 50% of their annual salary, capped at £25,000, for the purpose of purchasing their first or new family home. The loan is interest-free and can be used to cover costs such as a deposit, solicitors fees, estate agents fees, and stamp duty land tax.

To be eligible for FHTB, you must be a regular personnel who has completed the required service length, not a reservist or member of the Military Provost Guard Service, have more than 6 months of service left when applying, and meet the specified medical categories. However, exceptions may be made for special medical and personal circumstances.

Of course, there may be exceptions to the criteria, especially when you factor in special medical and personal circumstances. To learn more about this and more relating to Forces Help to Buy, please see the government guidance website.

One of the advantages of FHTB is that you don’t need to have any savings to use the scheme and enter the property market. The loan from FHTB can be paid back over a period of 10 years, and the majority of mortgage lenders will accept it as a deposit. For more information on the Forces Help to Buy Scheme, please consult the government guidance website.

How a Mortgage Advisor in London May Be Able To Help

As a distinguished and trustworthy mortgage broker in London, we have a deep appreciation for the service members of our nation and are committed to supporting you through your home buying journey. From the moment you first get in touch with us until your mortgage is completed and beyond, your dedicated mortgage advisor in London will ensure that you receive exceptional care and the best outcome for your needs.

Note; The Forces Help to Buy is not the same as the standard UK Help to Buy Scheme in London or Shared Ownership Scheme in London either.

If you are a service member who is 55 years of age or older and looking to utilise the Forces Help to Buy Scheme for moving home, you may want to consider your options for equity release in London or retirement interest-only mortgages (RIO Mortgages) as your forces pensions could be beneficial in this scenario.

If you are interested in learning more about equity release and lifetime mortgages, book a free mortgage appointment to understand their features and risks. Keep in mind that a lifetime mortgage may affect the value of your estate and potentially impact your eligibility for current and future means-tested benefits. The loan and accumulated interest will need to be repaid upon death or moving into long-term care.

How Much Deposit Do I Need to Buy a House in London?

Deposit Mortgage Advice in London

When buying a property, you will need to put down a deposit. This deposit amount can change depending on the property value, your credit score and your personal and financial situation.

Your lender will need to know that you are a reliable applicant, therefore, you will have to pass certain affordability assessments before your application is accepted.

A Mortgage Broker in London like us will help you prepare your mortgage application and make sure that you look the best that you can do in front of your lender.

Why do I need a deposit for a mortgage in London?

Pre-credit crunch era, you wouldn’t need a deposit to get a mortgage, in some cases, you’d be able to borrow 100% of the property’s price. Some lenders were even offering more than the actual value of the property, for example, you may get £125,000 for a £100,000 property. You can see where it all went wrong.

You are now required to pass affordability assessments before being able to borrow any amount of money this large. Lenders don’t want to be lending to someone who cannot afford to pay them back. The last thing that they want is to repossess your property.

Usually, you will need a 5% deposit minimum. If you cannot make this amount, you may need to ask for help through a gifted deposit or continue saving until you reach the required amount.

Can the government pay the deposit for me?

The government cannot pay for your deposit, however, there are schemes available that can help you increase your deposit amount.

For example, the Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme, allows you to make up a 25% total deposit. You will have to meet the 5% minimum deposit, then the government will top it up to make up a total of 25%. This scheme only applies to new-builds and you have to be a First Time Buyer in London.

The Equity Loan that the government lend you is interest-free for the first 5 years. Afterwards, you’ll start receiving interest on the amount left.

Is a 5% deposit enough?

Most high street lenders will ask for a 5% minimum deposit. If you’ve got bad credit, you may be asked to put down a higher percentage, e.g., 10-15%.

If you’ve got your 5% deposit and are ready to make an offer on a property, you will need to arrange a mortgage agreement in principle so that the estate agents are aware that you’ve been accepted by your lender. As an experienced Mortgage Broker in London, we are able to prepare you a mortgage agreement in principle within 24-hours of your mortgage appointment.

How much do I need to put down if I have a poor credit history?

Having poor credit may mean that you have to put down a higher deposit. Some lenders may ask for 10-15% of the property’s value. They need to make sure that you are a reliable applicant that can afford their mortgage payments before lending to you.

There are different ways to improve your credit score. If you try to implement these changes and show your lender that you’re trying to improve your finances, it will reflect better on your application.

How much deposit do I need for a Buy to Let property?

If you are looking at taking out a Buy to Let in London, you are going to need a minimum deposit of 25%.

When it comes to taking out your second, third or even fourth mortgage, you’re going to need a higher deposit, no matter what the reason is for doing so. Affording multiple sets of mortgage payments can be difficult, and that’s why lenders ask for more evidence so that they’re certain it’s within your limits.

Can I take out a loan for the deposit?

Despite this being possible, not all lenders will allow it. It’s rare to find a lender that is okay with this as you would have a 100% mortgage.

This would result in you having two sets of loan repayments going out, which could be difficult to manage.

Can someone gift me a deposit?

Yes, you can receive the deposit as a gift. Typically, buyers receive a gifted deposit from their parents or family members when they’re struggling to make up the minimum 5% deposit.

This must strictly be a gift and not a loan. The party gifting the deposit must confirm that this is the case.

As a Mortgage Broker in London, we see situations where the gifted deposit boosts the applicant’s deposit up to around 7 or 8%. This can make you appear more reliable and have a positive impact on your application.

Are there any circumstances where I don’t need a deposit?

There are some of the main situations where you may not need a deposit for your mortgage:

Please note that the above information and guidance is for reference purposes only and is not to be viewed as personal financial or mortgage advice.

Mortgage Advice in London

Buying vs Renting a Property in London

Mortgage Advice in London for Home Buyers and Renters

If you are currently renting in London, taking the dive and purchasing a property will be a massive financial decision.

For many, it all comes down to affordability. In certain parts of London, the average monthly rent can be higher than your mortgage repayments. Thus making buying a much better option (as long as you have the right amount of deposit).

Everyone’s circumstances are different, that’s why, If you are in the position to either rent or put down a deposit on a property in London. We hope this article will aid First Time Buyers in London when it’s time to make that decision.

Buying a House in London

More often than not, especially if you are younger, parents will encourage you to invest in property sooner rather than later. There are pros to doing this, but there are cons too.

Mortgage Payments

It all comes down to the type of mortgage you are on. In certain parts of London, you are looking to buy or rent. You’ll find that your monthly repayments will be cheaper than renting.

For example, if you are on a tracker mortgage, this tracks the Bank of England’s base rate. So you’ll find your monthly mortgage repayments may be much lower than renting. However, this could fluctuate every month.

There are ways around this. If you got put onto a fixed-rate mortgage, your payments would remain the same until the end of your fixed term.

With rising maintenance costs and fluctuating interest rates, your landlord might increase your rent. However, it’s a rare situation if your landlord decides to reduce your rent.

Security 

As long as you can keep up with your mortgage payments, you will always have that sense of security within a home. No one can force you out of your own home as you are the property owner.

Whereas being a tenant leaves you with next to no protection against the landlord wanting you out. Yes, they will have to give you notice, but the landlord owns the property you rent at the end of the day.

All of this worry doesn’t come with owning a home. In some cases, landlords may be more considerate and extend your notice period. However, not every landlord is as lenient.

Uncertainty

The property market tends to reshuffle things now and again, the good news is when you find out that your house is going to go up in value. However, this works both ways and unfortunately, your property price can also go down in value.

History has shown that even if you purchase a property during the very peak of the market. Make sure you can afford to keep hold of the property, eventually property prices will go back up. During the credit crunch in 2008, sold values dipped dramatically. After a few years and backing from the government, the market shot back up.

If you have no choice but to sell your home, doing so at the wrong time may cost you losing money. Sometimes you don’t have a choice but to sell your home quickly. We tend to find this was lead to a relationship breakdown, a reduction of income, or other circumstances.

Don’t rush into a purchase, get Mortgage Advice in London 

Never rush into a property purchase; buying a home is a huge financial commitment and you should only go forward with one if you are ready to do so.

If you are eligible to take out cover, it’s always smart to do so Mortgage protection insurance isn’t mandatory, but you should think very carefully about how you will keep up mortgage repayments if you find yourself out of work for a while.

If you are unable to work due to an illness, you could look at the Critical Illness cover to help down the line. You can always get the right support from a Mortgage Advisor in London if you are unsure about whether or not to purchase a property over renting one.

Renting a House in London 

Here are now the pros and cons of renting in London. Depending on your situation, renting could be the best option for you. There are a lot of different questions to ask before rushing into renting before looking to obtain a mortgage.

Flexibility 

Compared to renting, buying a home is a long-term investment, you need to be thinking about where you can realistically see yourself in the future. Whereas, when you are renting, you can move out whenever you want. For example, you could have been renting, but saving for a mortgage deposit over time.

Once enough has been saved for your deposit or you receive a gifted deposit, you can move out whenever you want to and get your mortgage process started in London; once your notice has been given.

If you can’t imagine yourself living in London for a very long time, you should consider the idea of renting. There is no point in obtaining a mortgage if living in a certain part of London is only a temporary part of your life.

Repairs

When you are renting, your landlord is usually responsible for any repairs on the property. We tend to find, that some landlords are better than others, for example, some may take their time in getting back to you, and some may be great and get right back to you within 24 hours. Make sure to do your research and check out reviews and recommendations before you go proceed with anything.

Major repairs should be handled by the landlord and minor repairs should be taken care of by you. In London, if you choose to buy a home you will have to take care of all of the repairs and damages inside and outside of the property.

Moving Home in London with a friend(s) / family member? 

When deciding to whether buy or rent with a friend or family member, as a Mortgage Broker in London, we would recommend that you look at renting first. Renting is a fantastic and more beneficial option if this is the route that you want to go down.

Being tied into a mortgage deal with your friend(s)/family can cause problems down the line when you want to move on and out of the property. It’s not always as easy as it seems to get your name removed from a mortgage.

Removing a name can often require Specialist Mortgage Advice in London to get this sort of thing moving. So, if you are looking at renting or even purchasing with a friend(s) or family, you should seek out an expert mortgage advisor in London help to assist you along the way. 

Summary – Buying vs Renting 

Now that you know some of the pros and cons of buying and renting, you should now weigh up your options. Which is right for you? Which will benefit you most? Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years’ time?

These are questions to consider during any big decision in your life. Some people prefer to make a list of the pros and cons, that seems to always help!

When it comes down to the numbers, the majority of people choose to buy over rent, they see it as an early opportunity to get themselves onto the property ladder. People would also rather the money go towards their own mortgage rather than paying somebody else’s.

If you need more renting vs buying advice in London, book your free mortgage appointment today to speak with one of our mortgage advisors in London today. 

Our 10 Step Home Buying Guide for First Time Buyers in London

We tend to find a lot of customers asking us about the process of being a first time buyer in London when buying a home. Below we put together an extensive list of the 10 steps that you will go through during the mortgage process. We want to make sure that you are in the best possible position to get you prepared for your mortgage journey.

Here are the 10 steps to the home buying process and to obtaining a mortgage;

Step One: Get in Touch for Your Free Mortgage Appointment

Now, it’s time to purchase a home and take out a first time buyer mortgage. Getting onto the property ladder will be one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. The entire experience can be a bit daunting, especially when you have had no experience before.

With the help of a dedicated Mortgage Broker in London, we’ll be able to help you along the process. We aim to take the stress away from you and work hard to ensure you come out with a suitable mortgage deal.

To speak with one of our qualified Mortgage Advisors in London, book your free mortgage appointment today. They’ll take a few key details and look at what you’re hoping to achieve, before starting your process.

Step Two: Mortgage Affordability Assessment

During your free mortgage consultation, we’ll be able to run through a Mortgage Affordability Assessment. Our Mortgage Advisors in London will go through your monthly income and regular expenditures, to determine whether or not you can afford the monthly repayments of the mortgage amount you’re looking to borrow.

The reason why doing an affordability assessment is essential before putting your application forward, with a lender, is because they need to be confident that you can afford your repayments. By avoiding the risk of arrears and potential future repossession, something the lender will desperately want to avoid.

A Mortgage Affordability Assessment is something the lender will usually check themselves, so our initial check will help save the time of the lender, ourselves, and more importantly you, from an application that may be declined due to failing on affordability. 

Step Three: Obtaining a Mortgage Agreement in Principle

During your consultation, you will be able to obtain a Mortgage Agreement in Principle. Which can help give First-Time Buyers in London a boost when making an offer on a property.

You may have seen this under a few different, but similar names. These include ‘Decision in Principle’, ‘Mortgage in Principle’, as well as the abbreviations ‘DIP’ & ‘AIP’. There is no difference between these, other than the name.

The purpose of a Mortgage Agreement in Principle is to document that you have passed a lender’s initial credit scoring system, either via a hard credit search or a soft search.

However, this does not guarantee you will be accepted on a mortgage but is a necessary document to have. Having an A.I.P. will show the seller of a property that you are serious buyer, possibly creating a possibility for price negotiations.

An A.I.P. can last anywhere between 30-90 days, and can easily be renewed once expired. Our Mortgage Advisors in London can usually get one of these turned around for you within 24 hours of your initial appointment.

Step Four: Finding the Right Solicitor

Following your Agreement in Principle, you will need to find yourself a Conveyancing Solicitor to help you with the legal proceedings of the homebuying process.

Your Conveyancing Solicitor will be able to handle; Contracts, provide any legal advice, conduct local council / authority searches, deal with the Land registry, and transfer the funds you have acquired to pay for your property. As you can see, you must make sure you can choose carefully.

Also make sure to note that Licensed Conveyancers are property specialists who can’t deal with complicated legal issues, whereas more general Solicitors offer a full range of services so can often seem more expensive.

Sadly, whilst we do not offer these services ourselves in-house, our dedicated Mortgage Advisors in London can refer you out to someone to is.

Step Five: Making an Offer on a Property

After speaking to a Mortgage Broker in London, passed the Mortgage Affordability Assessment, obtained an Agreement in Principle, and found yourself a Conveyancing Solicitor to handle the legal side of things. You’re now halfway through the process, next it’s time to make an offer on the property you wish to purchase.

With an Agreement in Principle, you will be in a much better place to negotiate on price. With the seller knowing that you have an AIP they may be more likely to sell to you than someone who is willing to pay the asking price but is unprepared. But this isn’t a guarantee.

Worst-case scenario the seller rejects your offer, you can work out a more reasonable offer or find yourself another property. If your offer got accepted, get back in touch with your Mortgage Advisor in London, and they will continue with your mortgage journey.

Sixth Six: Submit Your Documents  

Make sure to submit the required documents. Your lender will need you to provide various documentation, including the amount you earn from your job, where you live, and how you conduct your finances, are very important to the lender.

If you’re obtaining a joint mortgage, they will require this documentation from both candidates involved. The several types of documents you will need to submit, include; 

As for self employed applicants in London you will need to provide; 

Step Seven: We’ll Progress Your Mortgage Application  

With your mortgage agreed in principle, and your offer accepted, your Mortgage Advisors in London can now proceed to submit your full mortgage application. Having everything checked and ready by your Mortgage Advisor in London and Administrators, we are ready to submit an application to the lender for a mortgage.

Your Mortgage Advisor in London will send off all the gathered documentation for this, and then wait for them to respond with whether or not the application has been accepted or declined. Sadly, there is no given time frame, however, our Mortgage Administration team will be able to chase the lender for an answer on this for you.

Step Eight: Property Valuation / Survey  

During the process, the lender will require a valuation survey of your property to be undertaken. These are usually carried out by the lender’s choice. The valuation is to help understand the true value of the property.

If you’re paying above its actual market value, the lender may be less willing to accept your offer. Because they’ll be out of pocket and unable to make back the full borrowed amount. This terminology is also known as a ‘Down Valuation’.

Your Mortgage Advisor in London will be able to help you choose the right survey for you. Each surveyor comes with a different price. Some will just want to check the property’s worth, whereas some will also provide information on any structural concerns as well as possible repairs.

Step Nine: Receiving Your Mortgage Offer  

Once your lender has checked over your case and assessed all the evidencing documentation, they will present you with your Mortgage Offer.

Our team of Mortgage Advisors and Administrators in London will make final checks to make sure nothing got missed. Next, it’s down to your Conveyancing Solicitor to take your purchase through to completion.  

Step Ten: Completing The Process 

Now for the exciting part, you’ve now officially went from a first time buyer in London to a homeowner. By now, we hope you are happy and ready to begin your new life, in your new home.

Just have to wait for the key and moving-in date. We hope you found our service beneficial and received a fast and friendly Mortgage Advice service in London. If you have chosen a fixed-rate mortgage, at the end of your term, we will be in touch to help out once again with your remortgage in London

Gifted Deposits FAQ’s | Mortgage Advice in London

Gifted Deposit Explained | Mortgage Advice in London

During our time as an open and honest Mortgage Broker in London, we understand that sometimes scraping together a deposit, is one of the biggest hurdles for a first time buyer in London to get onto the property ladder.

We tend to find, parents, grandparents and on rare occasions, even friends who want to help the ones they care for get onto the property ladder. They’ll provide either a portion or the entire amount of the deposit to put down on a property and obtain a mortgage. Find out what gifted deposits are and how they work.

What is a gifted deposit?

A gifted deposit is money given by parents, grandparents, or friends to a homebuyer to use towards your deposit to put down on a property and obtain a mortgage. It can either be a portion or the entire amount.

The money given isn’t a loan and gifted deposits are given to you with an understanding that the money doesn’t need to be repaid.

How can gifted deposits help out? 

Gifted deposits are helpful to first time buyers in London. Mainly those who are financially capable of covering their mortgage repayments, but struggling to save up for the initial deposit.

We tend to find, that these situations happen quote often. Perhaps they’ll have larger outgoings, such as rental payments, home energy bills, and essentials. That there isn’t anything else left to put into savings for a deposit.

By receiving a gifted deposit, this will allow you to gain access to much better rates of interest during your mortgage process, especially if that gift is above the minimum 5-10% deposit requirement.

Who can gift the deposit? 

As we’ve said, it’s mainly parents or carers who can gift you the deposit. This is often discussed online using the terminology “Bank of Mum & Dad”, don’t let the name throw you off this can include adopted parents too.

Sometimes other family members may also be able to help out with a gifted deposit. Though this entirely depends on the mortgage lender that you end up with. That’s why it’s worth getting in touch to speak to a Mortgage Advisor in London beforehand.

Do your parents know you need help? 

We often hear back from customers who have no idea their parents can help with their mortgage! This is why we aim to inform and encounter more people to ask for some extra help, so more people can get a chance to get onto the property ladder.

The majority of parents are more than happy to help their children to find a home of their own, comfortably living as opposed to struggling whilst living in a rental property.
 
In some areas taking out a mortgage may save you more money per month than you would get from renting, of course, this depends on several factors, but in some circumstances, it can happen.

Gifted deposits can come from inheritance, although parents can sometimes gift it much earlier if they have enough money saved or have released equity from their own home.

Gifted Deposit vs Loans 

Some mortgage lenders out there won’t accept loans as a means of paying off your deposit. It will be often related to the lender not being so sure if you can afford to pay back both simultaneously.

Is there a maximum or minimum gifted amount? 

There are no limits to the amount that can be gifted to a home buyer, it’s worth remembering that some lenders will want you to have a minimum of 5% from your own savings.

The more you can afford to put down, perhaps combining savings and gifts, you’ll open yourself up to better deals. 

Who could benefit from a gifted deposit? 

We tend to find, that it’s normally First Time Buyers and home movers in London who will benefit the most from the gifted deposit.

What proof is required? 

Your donor will need to sign a gifted deposit form stating that it is not a loan and is in fact a gift. Additional proof such as ID, address, and bank statements will be required.

Our Mortgage Advice Service in London 

As a fast and friendly mortgage broker in London, we aim to provide our customers with the highest level of customer service, through a fast and friendly Mortgage Advice in London service.

No matter your mortgage situation. When someone gets in touch with us for Mortgage Advice in London, we will consider all cases, no matter how complex, and try our best to find a resolution.

Book Your Free Mortgage Appointment 

A trusted and experienced Mortgage Broker in London is available seven days a week, from early on until late. Our Mortgage Advisors in London will be ready and waiting to offer their support at all times.

Book your free mortgage appointment today with an expert mortgage advisor in London and we’ll see how we are able to help you on your mortgage journey. 

Londonmoneyman.com & Londonmoneyman 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

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