Archive for February, 2008


Repayment and Interest Only Mortgages

Friday, February 29th, 2008

Consumers these days can benefit from a choice of mortgage products, such as fixed rate mortgages, discount mortgages, the tracker mortgage, and more. There are two main categories under which all of these mortgages lie, and these categories are repayment mortgages and interest only mortgages. There are a number of differences between these two different types of mortgages, and it is important for anyone that is looking to take out a mortgage to consider the pros and cons of each type of mortgage before making any decision. (more…)

Tags: repayment, mortgages, interest only

End Of The Road For 125% Mortgages

Friday, February 29th, 2008

The recent announcement that Northern Rock is to remove its 125% ‘Together’ mortgage from the shelves may be the final nail in the coffin when it comes to sizeable mortgages for over and above the traditional 95% value of the property. Over the past week or two more and more lenders have been announcing that they will be removing 125% mortgages – which comprise 95% mortgage and a 30% unsecured loan – from the shelves, with the effects of the credit crunch continuing to see credit conditions worsen. (more…)

Tags: northern rock, 125% mortgages, mortgages

Preparing to Apply for a UK Loan

Friday, February 29th, 2008

Many people find the need to apply for a loan in the UK for one reason or another, and there are all sorts of loans available these days from car loans to help you purchase a new vehicle to mortgage loans to buy a new home. You can also find a wide range of other loans, such as consolidation loans, homeowner loans, wedding loans, holiday loans, secured loans, unsecured loans, and more. (more…)

Tags: unsecured loans, consolidation loans, secured loans, loans, apply

Using a UK Loan Broker To Get Finance

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

Many of us find ourselves in need of a loan at some time or another, and there are all sorts of loans on the UK market these days catering for a wide range of needs, circumstances, and purchases. You can choose from two main types of loan these days, and these are secured and unsecured loans. Within these two categories there are many different loan types, and this includes consolidation loans, home improvement loans, car loans, and more. In order to make sure that you get a good deal on a loan you need to make sure that your compare loans from a number of lenders. (more…)

Tags: loan broker, loans

The Benefits of a UK Mortgage Broker

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

For most people a mortgage is one of the most important and largest financial commitments that they are likely to take on, and this makes it all the more important to get the right mortgage for your needs as well as your pocket. It is important to remember that there are many different types of mortgages to choose from and this means that, unless you are familiar with mortgage products, the task of actually finding the right mortgage could be a difficult and time consuming one. (more…)

Tags: mortgage broker, mortgages

Is it time to remortgage?

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

Having the right mortgage is very important to most of us, as a mortgage is one of the most important, long term financial commitments that we are ever likely to make. Mortgages in the UK are typically taken out over a long period of time, such as twenty five years, and sometimes even longer, and it is inevitable that for many people their needs and circumstances will change over this long period of time. (more…)

Tags: remortgage, equity, mortgage

Different Types of UK Loans

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

The variety of loans available on the market in the UK these days means that many of us should have no problems finding the right loan for our needs, although those with poor credit may face more difficulty. In the current financial climate getting a loan can prove a little more difficult because credit conditions have tightened as a result of the credit crunch, but if you do your research you should be able to find a choice of loans from a variety of lenders, enabling you to find the right one to suit your needs, circumstances, and budget. (more…)

Tags: unsecured loans, loans, secured loans, car loans, debt consolidation loans

Fixed Rate or Variable Rate Mortgage

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

When you are looking to take out a mortgage you have to decide what sort of mortgage is going to best suit your needs. There are two types of mortgage that often prove popular amongst property purchasers, and these are variable rate and fixed rate mortgages. There are pros and cons to be considered for both of these mortgage types, and it is important to compare the pros and cons in order to determine which of these mortgage products are likely to prove suitable for your needs. (more…)

Tags: variable rate mortgages, fixed rate mortgages

Lenders announce withdrawal of 125% mortgages

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

According to recent reports a number of lenders have taken mortgages of over 100% off the market, as an increasing number of lenders exercise caution over lending levels in light of the global credit crunch. The shrinking market for mortgages of more than 100% means that many consumers may suffer, including those looking to take out a mortgage in excess of 100% and those who already have mortgages of over 100% who want to remortgage. (more…)

Tags: Mortgage News, 125% mortgages

Home sellers struggling to sell their properties

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008

According to industry professionals many homeowners with their properties up for sale are now struggling to actually find a buyer for their home because they are refusing to be flexible on price. A flurry of homeowners are trying to sell up before the property price fall that has been predicted comes to fruition, but because they are being stubborn on their asking prices overstretched buyers are struggling to afford to buy. This is resulting in longer timescales when it comes to selling homes, and more properties clogging up estate agency books. (more…)

Tags: property, homeowners, house sales

The benefits of an IVA

Monday, February 25th, 2008

Individual Voluntary Arrangements, also known simply as IVAs, have become more widely known over the past couple of years, with awareness about this course of action raised through a range of advertising from IVA specialists. This is a debt management tool that has become known as a softer alternative to bankruptcy. In order to be eligible to go down the IVA route you need to meet specific requirements and this includes having unsecured debts of at least £15,000, you or your partner being in full time employment, and owing money to a number of creditors. (more…)

Tags: iva, bankruptcy, debts

Keeping up with your secured loan repayments

Monday, February 25th, 2008

Secured loans have become an effective and affordable way for homeowners to raise finance, and the increase in property values over the past few years has given homeowners in the UK more financial leverage to raise money by way of a secured loan. Secured loans offer a range of benefits, such as increased borrowing power based on equity levels and longer repayment periods to help keep costs down. This is why an increasing number of homeowners have turned to secured loans in order to get the money that they need. (more…)

Tags: debt, secured loans, repayments, homeowner, loans

Mortgage brokers banned due to false applications

Monday, February 25th, 2008

Over recent months the level of concern over falsified applications put forward to mortgage lenders from brokers has increased in light of the global credit crunch that has swept across the UK from the United States, where it was sparked in the sub-prime sector of the mortgage market. The effect of the credit crunch have increased concerns over brokers falsifying employment and income information on behalf of customers that either do not earn enough realistically to raise a sufficient mortgage or do not have proof of income. (more…)

Tags: mortgage broker, application, mortgages

Mortgages – some frequently asked questions

Monday, February 25th, 2008

Taking out a mortgage is an important long term commitment, and those looking at mortgages often have many questions to ask about this type of finance. Below you will find a selection of frequently asked questions with relation to mortgages:

How will I know what sort of mortgage to go for?

In order to determine what sort of mortgage to opt for you need to learn more about the different products on the market and match those to your needs and circumstances. For example, if you do not want the hassle of fluctuation repayments then a fixed rate mortgage may be the best choice for you. If you are still unsure after learning more about the different mortgage products available then it is well worth speaking to an independent financial adviser, who may be able to point you in the right direction and offer valuable support.

What is the best way to find a good deal on a mortgage?

Compare, compare, compare! Interest rates, terms, and repayment periods can vary widely from one lender to another, and in order to get the best mortgage for your needs you need to keep your eye on the mortgage market, compare different mortgages from a range of lenders, and avoid rushing into it. Also, when you are comparing mortgages make sure you look at the small print and find out if there are any hidden charges. Comparing mortgages these days is far easier because of the Internet.

How much will I be able to borrow?

The amount that you will be able to borrow will depend on a number of factors, and this includes your income, your existing debts and regular financial commitments, your financial and employment status, and also on the lender’s own criteria. Some lenders offer higher income multiples than others, and this means that you can borrow more although it also means that your repayments will be higher.

What sort of deposit will I need?

The traditional level of deposit needed is 5% of the property value, although first time buyers have often been able to get 100% mortgages with no deposit required. However, some lenders now ask for a minimum 10% deposit as a result of tighter lending conditions stemming from the credit crunch.

Can I get a mortgage if I have bad credit?

If you have bad credit you will find it far more difficult to find an affordable mortgage, and you will find that many of the deals on mortgages are not open to you because of your credit. However, there are lenders that do offer sub-prime mortgages. Do bear in mind that the interest rates charges on these mortgages will be significantly higher than the standard, and therefore repayments will be higher. You need to ensure that you can keep up with the repayments otherwise you could end up losing your home and further damaging your credit.

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Tags: bad credit mortgages, mortgages, mortgage types

The first time buyer affordability crisis continues to hit

Monday, February 25th, 2008

Recent reports have suggested that first time buyers in the UK are still in the throes of an affordability crisis, despite the falling house prices and despite predictions that interest rates are set to fall a number of times this year. First time buyers have been experiencing affordability problems for some time now, and fewer and fewer first time buyers find themselves in a position to get onto the property ladder. (more…)

Tags: first time buyers, mortgages, house prices

Wipe Out Debt Problems With A Low Rate Loan

Monday, February 25th, 2008

When you have a number of high interest debts on which you are making repayments each month dealing with your accounts can become tiresome and frustrating. Having to deal with so many payments and creditors can even lead to missed or late repayments, which can add to your debt problems, affecting both your credit rating and your finances, as you may be hit with hefty fees and charges. You could even find yourself facing court action if you start to default on repayments, so your debts could quickly get out of hand.

It is possible in some cases to wipe out all of these higher interest debts and replace them with one lower rate loan, which offers a range of benefits. If you want to ease financial management and reduce the amount that you are paying out each month you could really benefit from debt consolidation. This is where you take out a larger loan to pay off all of your smaller debts on which you pay a lot of interest, such as credit cards and store cards. If you take the time to compare different consolidation loans from a number of lenders you should be able to find one with a competitive rate of interest, and this means that you can enjoy better value for money on your borrowing.

When you use a consolidation loan you can effectively wipe out debt problems, and make life far easier for yourself. Although you will actually still owe the same amount of money you will only have one debt and one creditor to deal with. This reduces the chances of missed and late repayments due to confusion with financial management, and can reduce the amount of money that you have to pay out on your debts each month, leaving you with more disposable income.

If you are a homeowner you can get a secured consolidation loan, and this could help to further reduce your debt problems. This is because you can spread your repayments over a longer period, which means that you can keep your outgoings down. You will also be able to borrow more money with a secured consolidation loan, although this will be based on your equity levels and other factors, and can therefore borrow an adequate amount to cover repayment of all of your existing debts.

In order to effectively wipe out your debt problems through debt consolidation you need to exercise willpower and determination, as you need to be careful that you do not run up your original debts again. If you go on to spend again on your credit and store cards after consolidating them you will find yourself in an even more difficult situation than you were originally with a higher level of debt to deal with. Providing you avoid running up further debts and simply make repayments on your consolidation loan each month you could find that this is one of the most effective debt management solutions for your needs.

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Tags: debts, loans, consolidate debts

What can you use a secured loan for?

Monday, February 25th, 2008

A secured loan is a loan that is secured against the equity in a property, and as the name suggests, these loans are available to homeowners with some level of equity in their property. With equity levels rising at remarkable levels over recent years, as property prices have rocketed in the UK, homeowners have found themselves sitting on a tidy nest egg when it comes to their equity, and homeowner loans are a great way of unlocking the equity in your home without having to sell up first.

There are many benefits to taking out a secured homeowner loan. These loans are often available to those with bad credit who cannot get unsecured finance, making them accessible to more people or for applicants wishing to borrow over £20,000. You will find that based on the level of equity that you have in your home the borrowing power with a homeowner loan compared with an unsecured loan can be far greater. Also, the repayment periods with homeowner loans are longer, which means that you can spread your repayments over a longer period and enjoy lower monthly repayments.

You will find a number of lenders that offer secured loans, and both the eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions can vary from lender to lender. It is important that you compare different homeowner loans from a number of lenders in order to get the best deal and the most suitable loan for your needs. You should compare the interest rate to ensure that you get a competitive rate of interest, although you should remember that if you have a bad credit rating the interest rate that you get is likely to be significantly higher than for those with good credit.

You can use a secured homeowner loan for all sorts of purposes, making this both an affordable and a flexible way of borrowing money against your home. You can use the cash to improve your home with new fixtures and fitting or simply a decorative facelift. You may want to reduce your monthly outgoings and make financial management easier by paying off al of your smaller, lower interest debts, so you could also use your homeowner loan for debt consolidation, leaving you with just one lower interest loan to pay rather than a number of higher interest debts.

You may be considering treating yourself to the trip of a lifetime, whether it is backpacking around Europe or exploring far flung destinations, and a homeowner loan provides an effective way of raising the money to fund this type of trip, so you won’t have to miss out on seeing the world simply due to a lack of finances. You may be looking for ways to fund a dream wedding either for yourself or for a child who is getting hitched, and again these loans provide an effective way to pay for this type of event.

There are many other things that you can use our secured homeowner loan for, from buying a new car to paying for an education. By comparing different homeowner loans and finding a low rate loan you can enjoy value for money on your borrowing and you can untie the equity in your home without having to worry about selling up and moving on.

Tags: home improvements, debt consolidation, secured loans, homeowners

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