Santander’s Buy To Let Mortgage Thresholds
Recently, I submitted a case for a client who had a few existing Buy To Let mortgages in the background. Without going into too much detail on the criteria, Santander was judged as the best lender for this particular job. Whilst Santander have had a cautious entry to the BTL market, they generally have been […]
Moving Bank Accounts?
Moving Bank Accounts? If you are moving bank accounts to another provider, print off all of your statements as far back as you can go, or if possible, save them to your computer. Once you close the old account you will no longer have access to them. If you apply for a mortgage and statements […]
Find Property Floor Area
Find Property Floor Area Check the EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) if you want to find property floor area. An EPC must be provided by law, and made available on request by an agent. In the title area, the surveyor will have recorded the total floor area of the property. Useful to check its not too […]
Contractor Mortgages: A Tricky Business
Working as a contractor can be extremely lucrative but it can make acquiring a mortgage difficult.
GetAgent, An Estate Agent Comparison Site
I’m not one to disguise my distaste for the high street estate agency business. Having worked within it in the past, I have seen the inner workings of an agency and, whilst I understand why this model continues to exist in the UK, I don’t agree it is right for all consumers in every instance. Working […]
Why Do We Still Rely So Heavily on Estate Agents?
Most of my clients are cautious and considered when it comes to money. Many are buying a property with the aim of bettering their overall financial position and, for this reason, it’s a huge transaction that deserves plenty of careful consideration. This week, I was baffled by some choices one of my clients made. They […]
Why the New Stamp Duty Rules Are Great For Borrowers
On Thursday 4th December, the new Stamp Duty rules were announced and there has already been a lot said on the topic. Some have chosen to focus on the political strategy employed by George Osbourne, whilst others have looked at the 2% of buyers who won’t welcome the new rules. For me, my first thought […]
Beware the Curse of Associated Credit
A mortgage client is declined because of their partners associated credit.
Santander Gives with One Hand and Takes with Another
Due to all the recent news about lenders increasing their scrutiny over mortgage affordability, brokers have to be extra careful about how they calculate the maximum loan a client can realistically borrow. With this in mind, I was surprised to discover the paradoxical way in which Santander deals with credit cards that are paid in […]
Packager Firms: What Are They Good For?
If you recall the next line of the famous Edwin Starr song, so often added to any Vietnam War soundtrack, you might think: Absolutely nothin’! I’ve recently noticed a resurgence of packagers in the BTL mortgage market and this is exactly what I thought. However, it is interesting to consider why this re-emergence is taking […]
