Mortgages & me

Bringing both explanation and humour (yes, it is possible) to an often perceived realm of boredom

Mortgages. Let’s not kid ourselves here. If you had the choice of having one or not then there would be no choice. However, the vast majority of us, Russian billionaires excluded, need them to fuel that much loved British tradition – homeownership. So, if we all accept that we need them, you may as well do something positive and get the best one for you. It is staggering how many people make sure they get value for money from every day items but do not manage their home loan properly - the savings far outweigh the difference between the best baked beans and the value ones.

So, this blog will attempt to look at the world of mortgages and the housing market and try to bring both explanation and humour (yes, it is possible), and spark some comment, to an oft perceived realm of boredom. Here goes…

Drew Wotherspoon


09/12/2011 by Drew

Guest Blog, Alistair Hargreaves, Mortgage Consultant.

Is everything really going wrong? Looking at the response to the budget, especially around housing and you would certainly think so. Don’t get me wrong; it’s tough out there...

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Categories: First time buyers, Fixed rate mortgages, Tracker mortgages

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08/12/2011 by Drew

TODAY'S MPC MEETING A SIDESHOW WITH ALL EYES ON THE ECB MEETING
 
•       Eurozone crisis Summit will Determine the Fate of he Euro
 
Ray Boulger of leading independent mortgage adviser John Charcol comments on the news that the MPC...

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Categories: Mortgages, Interest rates, House Prices, First time buyers, Remortgaging, Moving Home

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25/11/2011 by Drew

Following reports in the press that First Time Buyers aren’t aware of the return of High LTV’s (Loan To Value), we thought it worth making a bit of a splash about this. ...

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Categories: Long term fixed rates, Tracker mortgages, Fixed rate mortgages, First time buyers, Mortgages, Interest rates

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22/11/2011 by Drew

HSBC’s recent claim that “81% of all best buys are provided by direct lenders” seems to have missed out on the vital point of it’s only a “Best Buy” if you can actually get it. If you can’t it might as well be on the moon. “How do...

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Categories: Mortgages, Mortgage Lenders, Tracker mortgages, Fixed rate mortgages, First time buyers, Remortgaging, Moving Home, Home Mover, Buy to let

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17/01/2011 by Drew

Housebuilder Barratt has teamed up with Hitachi Capital to offer parents a new way of helping their children get on to the property ladder. ...

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Categories: First time buyers, Mortgages

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17/01/2011 by Drew

A scheme to help first-time buyers in the Isle of Man has been so successful that the Department of Social Care is to ask Tynwald for an extra £2.8m.  It will pay for financial assistance given to more than 120 people, within...

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Categories: First time buyers, Mortgages

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27/08/2008 by Drew

Another of my not so mortgage savvy friends was wondering where on earth he should start his home ownership career when it comes to knowing what his mortgage options were. Like the good friend he is, he didn’t think that I would...

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Categories: Mortgages, Interest rates, First time buyers

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09/04/2008 by Katie Tucker

We're still waiting on terms and conditions... but as ever with this, it’s unclear. For example, when I want to buy with my boyfriend, he's a First Time Buyer but I'm not, so will we be eligible?...  I doubt it...  I'll let you...

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Categories: First time buyers

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29/02/2008 by Katie Tucker

Borrowers who took 100%-plus mortgages or 100% mortgages, who need to remortgage, may soon find that there are no deals available

Most will have accrued some equity to make it onto the few remaining 95% deals, and the lucky ones...

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Categories: Mortgage Lenders, First time buyers

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29/02/2008 by Katie Tucker

Today Cheltenham and Gloucester and many other lenders are reducing their maximum LTV from 100% all the way down to 90%. (more listed below) ...

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Categories: First time buyers, House Prices

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Terms & conditions

Your initial mortgage consultation is obligation free. There will be a minimum fee for our mortgage service of £450, of which £150 is payable when you apply, and we will retain the commission from the mortgage lender. Alternatively, you can choose the fee only option which is typically 0.65% of the amount borrowed. The precise amount will depend on your circumstances and mortgage loan amount, and will be discussed and agreed before you make a mortgage application.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY DEBT SECURED ON IT

Legals

John Charcol is a trading style of Towergate Financial (West) Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority; our registration number is 147692. John Charcol Associates LLP is an appointed representative of Towergate Financial (West) Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.  Registered office: Towergate House, Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3EN. Registered in England No: 02292688.  This mortgage site is only directed at persons within the UK.   The FSA does not regulate some investment mortgage contracts.  Calls may be recorded for training and monitoring. Max call charge from a BT landline is 3.9p per minute. Calls from other networks may vary.