Because of the Credit Crunch and the sudden disappearance of sub-prime mortgages for people who need a Bad Credit Mortgage find a the mortgage you need is not an easy task.
There has been a sudden and quite radical change in what is available to the consumer in the UK mortgages market and this has happened in just the last 6 months.
If you hope to be successful in getting a new mortgage or remortgage in the UK you need to be aware of the following factors.
If you know you are going to need a mortgage then make sure that you start the process well before the date on which you require the money.
Give yourself at least 3 months or so to find the right mortgage deal for your needs as it is going to take you much longer than it used to.
When looking at mortgage adverts do not think that you will necessarily be able to get the mortgage rate advertised. Although the rate you see may seem very good it will probably only be available to those that meet the stringent lending criteria set out by the mortgage company. Your own personal situation may not fit in with what they require.
Often there may also be a hefty arrangement fee to be paid to get these mrotgages.
If this is you first mortgage then the deposit you will need to find is going to be a lot larger than it used to be and the income multiples that used to be so high have also been drastically reduced making it much harder for the first time buyer.
Always calculate what you can really afford before you make any mortgage applications.
Anyone with an existing mortgage that includes a special deal or rate that is about to come to an end should get some mortgage advice to find out what deals are now available to replace it.
Individuals with mortgages with a high LTV, which need replacing, should be considered as definitely in need of professional mortgage advice before replacement.
The actual number of different mortgage deals available has dropped considerably and it makes sense to contact a mortgage broker as they will know the mortgage market well and will be able to advise you properly.
If you need or want a Buy To Let mortgage or remortgage then do your sums carefully to ensure that your income from rents will cover mortgage or remortgage repayments and your landlord expenses as well, otherwise you may find that the new stricter criteria for mortgages lending will prevent you from getting what you want.
Before thinking about a mortgage you should first check you personal credit rating and if possible improve your credit score to ensure you do not get rejected on your very first application.
There maybe incorrect facts on your credit report that should not really be there and which you can get removed.
Each of the major three credit reference agencies in the UK currently have offers online to which you can apply for instant access to your credit report for 30 days for free.
Do not miss this great opportunity to check your Free Credit Report and to fix the problems you find, as you should do this before you make any application for a mortgage.
You need to do this for each of the 3 credit agencies as you will not know which agency your mortgage company might use for a credit check when you go to make your next application for a mortgage or remortgage.
To ensure that all bases are covered and that any issue on any credit report is resolved you will have to get free access to all three credit reports.