Buying a house is a huge financial decision and one that requires considerable thought and preparation. In the UK, mortgages are the most popular way to finance a house purchase, but they can be complicated and tricky to understand. If you’re looking to purchase a property in the UK, this guide to mortgages is here to help. We’ll explore everything you need to know about mortgages so that you can make an informed decision when it comes time to choose one. From understanding interest rates and repayment terms, to tips on saving for a deposit, we’ve got you covered.
Mortgages in the UK
There are a few things to know about mortgages in the UK before you start shopping around for one. The first is that there are two main types of mortgages available: fixed rate and variable rate. Fixed rate mortgages have an interest rate that stays the same for the life of the loan, while variable rate mortgages have an interest rate that can change over time.
The second thing to know about mortgages in the UK is that you will likely need a down payment of at least 10% of the home’s value. The good news is that there are a number of government-backed schemes available to help first-time buyers with their deposit, such as Help to Buy and Shared Ownership.
Finally, it’s important to understand the fees associated with taking out a mortgage. These can include an arrangement fee, valuation fee, and product fees. It’s always a good idea to compare a few different mortgage offers before making a decision so that you can be sure you’re getting the best deal possible.
Should you buy property in the UK?
It can be a great idea to buy property in the UK as an investment, or as a place to live. There are many things to consider before taking out a mortgage and making such a large purchase.
The UK offers a stable economy and political system, which can make it a more appealing investment than other countries. Property prices have been rising in recent years, so there is potential for capital growth. It’s also worth considering that the UK has no restrictions on foreign ownership of property, unlike some other countries.
There are some risks associated with buying property in the UK, such as Brexit uncertainty and possible changes to taxation or regulation that could affect the value of your investment. However, if you do your research and seek professional advice, these risks can be minimized.
Taking out a mortgage is a big commitment, so make sure you compare different deals and shop around for the best rate. It’s also important to consider the fees associated with taking out a mortgage and whether you can afford the repayments. Use our mortgage calculator to see how much you could potentially borrow.
Who can get a mortgage in the UK?
Anyone over the age of 18 who is a UK resident can apply for a mortgage. You’ll need to prove your income and show that you can afford the repayments, but there are plenty of lenders out there who will be happy to help you get on the property ladder.
Getting a mortgage as a foreigner in the UK
As a foreigner looking to get a mortgage in the UK, there are a few things you need to know. The first is that you will need to have a deposit of at least 25% of the property value. This is because most lenders will not offer mortgages to foreigners unless they can provide a large deposit.
The second thing to bear in mind is that you may be asked to provide proof of income and assets from your home country. This is because lenders will want to make sure that you can afford the repayments on your mortgage.
Finally, it is important to shop around and compare different mortgage deals before choosing one. This is because the interest rates and fees charged by different lenders can vary significantly. By shopping around, you can make sure that you get the best deal possible.
Types of mortgages in the UK
Fixed rate mortgage: With a fixed rate mortgage, the interest rate is set for a period of time – usually between two and five years. This means your monthly repayments will stay the same for this entire period, even if interest rates rise. This can give you peace of mind and budgeting certainty.
Tracker mortgage: A tracker mortgage follows the Bank of England’s base rate (currently 0.1%), plus a margin set by your lender. So, if the base rate changes, your interest rate and monthly repayments will change too. You’ll usually have a deal period of two to five years, after which the interest rate will revert to the lender’s standard variable rate (SVR) – which is often much higher than the current market rates.
Discounted rate mortgage: Discounted rate mortgages work in a similar way to tracker mortgages, but with an introductory discount off the lender’s SVR for a set period – typically two to three years. For example, if the SVR is 4% and you have a discount of 2%, you would only pay 2% interest for that initial period. After the discount period ends, you would then move on to paying the lender’s SVR – so it’s important to factor in future rises when working out how much you can afford.
Capped rate mortgage: Capped rate mortgages offer protection against rising interest rates up to a certain limit (or
Fixed-rate mortgages
If you’re looking for a mortgage in the UK, one of the main decisions you’ll need to make is whether to go for a fixed-rate or variable-rate deal.
Fixed-rate mortgages have an interest rate that stays the same for a set period of time – usually two, three or five years. This can give you peace of mind, as you know exactly how much your monthly repayments will be during that period.
However, after the fixed-rate period ends, your interest rate will usually revert to the lender’s standard variable rate (SVR) – which could be much higher than the rates currently available. So you need to make sure you can afford the potential increase in your monthly repayments before choosing a fixed-rate mortgage.
Variable-rate mortgages have an interest rate that can go up or down over time. This means your monthly repayments could change – which could be good or bad depending on which way interest rates move.
The main benefit of a variable-rate mortgage is that they often start off with lower interest rates than fixed-rate deals. So if interest rates stay low, you could end up paying less overall than if you’d chosen a fixed-rate mortgage. However, if interest rates rise, your monthly repayments could become unaffordable – so it’s important to budget carefully and not overstretch yourself.
Variable-rate mortgages
Variable-rate mortgages are the most popular type of mortgage in the UK. They offer the borrower the flexibility to make monthly payments that fluctuate with changes in interest rates. This means that your monthly payment could go up or down depending on how interest rates change.
If you’re thinking about taking out a variable-rate mortgage, it’s important to understand how they work and what the risks are. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about variable-rate mortgages, including:
How they work
The benefits and risks
What to look for when choosing a variable-rate mortgage
A variable-rate mortgage can be a great option for borrowers who are comfortable with some uncertainty in their monthly payments. If you’re considering one, make sure you understand how they work and what the potential risks are.
Discount mortgages
Discount mortgages are a type of variable rate mortgage. The interest rate is usually lower than the standard variable rate (SVR), but it can go up or down. Discount rates are often offered by lenders as an incentive to get customers to switch to their mortgage product.
The main advantage of a discount mortgage is that you could end up paying less interest overall if rates fall. However, if rates rise, you could end up paying more than if you’d taken out a fixed-rate mortgage.
Discount mortgages typically have tiered rates, so the further below the SVR you start, the steeper the increase will be if rates go up. For example, a lender might offer a discount of 2% for two years. If rates increased by 1%, your new rate would be 3% – still lower than the SVR. But if rates increased by 2%, your new rate would be 4%.
Tracker mortgages
A tracker mortgage is a type of variable mortgage, which means that the interest rate you pay may go up or down in line with the Bank of England’s base rate.
With a tracker mortgage, your payments usually change at the same time and by the same amount as any changes to the Bank of England’s base rate. For example, if the base rate goes up by 0.25%, your monthly payments will usually increase by the same amount.
Tracker mortgages can be a good option if you think interest rates are likely to fall, or if you want a mortgage with lower initial repayments than you would get with a fixed-rate mortgage.
However, tracker mortgages can also be risky because your monthly payments could go up if interest rates rise. This could make it difficult for you to keep up with your repayments and you might even end up in negative equity – where your outstanding mortgage debt is more than the value of your property.
If you’re thinking about taking out a tracker mortgage, make sure you understand how they work and how changes in interest rates could affect your monthly repayments before you apply.
