| If you are thinking of buying your first home, | | | | launched specifically with first time buyers in mind. |
| apart form looking to see what’s on the | | | | In addition, standard terms have now been |
| market to whet your appetite, you will need to | | | | changed. In times gone by, generally speaking you |
| know a little about first time buyer mortgages. I | | | | could multiply your annual salary by two and a half |
| say a little because there are plenty of first time | | | | to see how much you could borrow. Typically, the |
| buyer mortgage specialists around who can help | | | | most you would ever be lent might be 100% of |
| you. In the UK, advice about first time buyer | | | | the value of the property and you would normally |
| mortgages from professional mortgage advisors | | | | pay it back in 25 years – or at least set out |
| is closely governed by the financial services | | | | to do that at the outset. |
| authority. They make sure that anyone offering | | | | Today, we see extremes of lending up to six |
| advice on first time mortgages is an expert in | | | | times an annual salary, lending of up to 130% of |
| that field and also makes the sale – if the | | | | the property value and 40 year terms – even |
| consultation leads to a sale – completely | | | | ‘lifetime’ mortgages. We also see lenders |
| transparent. The mortgage advisor is obliged to | | | | willing to lend in various other ways. For example, |
| ask your permission to give you advice, also to | | | | the joint mortgage for friends buying together is |
| declare how he is remunerated to ensure that he | | | | growing in popularity – it’s not without |
| does not steer you towards a particular first time | | | | it’s risks so we recommend you buy on equal |
| buyer mortgage except the right one for you. | | | | terms and have an agreement drawn up but it |
| There are many ways you can find mortgage | | | | can make the difference between being on the |
| advisors or mortgage brokers willing to offer | | | | property ladder – or not. With the |
| advice on first time buyer mortgages. Typically | | | | Government’s shared ownership scheme, |
| you might have someone recommended to you, | | | | shared ownership mortgages are now also in |
| or you might search in the internet or in your local | | | | demand, but probably one of today’s most |
| telephone directory. These days, you can pretty | | | | popular first time buyer mortgages is one where |
| much choose whether you communicate on-line, | | | | parents act as guarantors. With property prices |
| by phone, in writing or in person. | | | | having risen so much, many parents are now |
| There may be at least two consultations before | | | | ‘flush’ with equity enabling them to help |
| the mortgage advisor is in a position to advise | | | | with mortgages or deposits in a number of ways. |
| you on what your options are or what he thinks | | | | Also there are graduate mortgages, offset |
| is the best first time buyer mortgage for you. He | | | | mortgages – if any member of your family |
| will need a great deal of information about your | | | | has savings, rent to buy mortgages, |
| financial circumstances – your earnings, | | | | lodger-revenue first time buyer mortgages and |
| outgoings – and in particular any outstanding | | | | many more. One of the greatest innovations |
| loans or credit card bills. These needn’t | | | | – though not without its price is the shared |
| necessarily mean it will be hard to secure a | | | | equity mortgage. |
| mortgage but it will all be taken into consideration | | | | As new first time buyer mortgages are being |
| when deciding what monthly mortgage payments | | | | launched and upgraded every week, it is always |
| you would be able to make – also taking into | | | | best to speak to a mortgage advisor about first |
| account any possible increase in interest rates | | | | time buyer mortgages. They will know which is |
| which would push up the monthly payments. | | | | the latest innovation, which are the best lenders, |
| As the UK first time buyer mortgage market has | | | | what deals are around at that time and most |
| become tougher, many of the lenders have been | | | | importantly which first time buyer mortgage will |
| quite innovative with their mortgages. A number | | | | be best for you. |
| of first time buyer mortgages have been | | | | |