Remortgaging Advice
Could you take advantage of new rates?
Remortgaging The decision to remortgage is one that should never be taken lightly. If you are looking to remortgage and are on the search for better rates then here are some of the steps to be aware of.
1 Remortgaging information & considerations
If you are considering remortgaging, make sure to contact our independent advisers who will consider all your circumstances as well as available deals before offering impartial advice about which remortgage options are right for you. Ask for Free Assistance using for your quick respond.
In today’s competitive market, many borrowers choose to remortgage (switch their current mortgage for a new deal, either with their existing lender or a new lender) every few years in order to take advantage of the new rates and products on offer or to fit changing life circumstances.
Remortgaging can help you…
Save money Remaining on the same deal for the full term of your loan could see you losing out on the opportunity to reduce the total amount paid back, in some cases leading to significant savings.
Avoid moving home It can be cheaper and more convenient to adapt or add an extension to your existing home, paid for by remortgaging or a further advance, than to move home.
Suit changing circumstances If your financial situation has changed and you now need a mortgage that can accommodate, for example, higher overpayments or a lower monthly rate, remortgaging can get you a deal that better fits your lifestyle.
Raise money Higher income or a rise in your property’s value means you could increase your mortgage to help pay for major outgoings such as a wedding or your child’s university costs, rather than borrowing separately, and in some cases more expensively, from other sources.
Consolidate your debts Remortgaging can allow you to release some of the equity you hold in your home and consolidate other debts, such as a car loan or credit cards, which can attract higher rates of interest than that of your mortgage. While this could reduce monthly payments, it may mean you pay more over the long term, so should be carefully considered and professional financial advice sought.
But it’s not always easy to do so if…
You need a very small loan Many lenders accept remortgage applications only if the loan required is above a minimum level of about £25,000. Fees may also be a problem with very small remortgage loans, as these may outweigh the small saving on offer.
You need to borrow a high percentage of your property’s value In general, putting in a bigger down payment will give you access to better rates. If you own less than 5-10% of your property, you may find it difficult to access the more competitive rates.
You have high Early Repayment Charges If you have recently taken out a fixed rate mortgage or a discount mortgage you may find that early repayment charges make it very expensive for you to take your loan elsewhere in its first few years. In some cases these charges can outweigh the savings you’ll get from switching to the new mortgage.
You’ve recently become self-employed Lenders need to feel sure you will be able to repay the loan you take on, so they need to know your likely future income. If you have recently changed your work status from employee to self-employed, but have not yet had time to build up a reasonable track record for your business, you may find it difficult to get a good remortgage deal.
2How much will it cost?
The main costs you might face when remortgaging are:
Early repayment charges
ERC’s are a penalty for leaving the mortgage before it comes to term, often calculated as a percentage of your loan value. Your lender will be able to advise you on any ERCs that apply.
Average cost: 1-5% of mortgage. So an outstanding balance of £100,000 could incur a charge between £1,000 to £5,000
Lender’s arrangement fee
The administrative costs of organising your mortgage. This could be a flat fee or a percentage. Your lender will be able to advise of arrangement fees that apply to your mortgage.
Average cost: £0 – £2,000+
Higher lender charge
If the mortgage you are taking out is a sizable percentage of the property value (typically >90%), lenders may add a charge to insure themselves in case you default.
Average cost: 1.5% of the mortgage, so £3,000 on a £200,000 mortgage.
Valuation fees
Cost of hiring a surveyor to assess the property’s condition and value.
Average cost: £150 – £1,500 depending on the value of the property
Legal fees
Cost of hiring a solicitor for the process of preparing the deeds and carrying out the conveyancing process.
Average cost: £500 – £1,500 plus VAT
Booking fees
An one-off application fee for the mortgage, “booking” or reserving the capital while processing your request.
Average cost: £99 – £250
Costs and charges supplied by the Money Advice Service. The details above were correct at the time of publication.
THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT.