Consumer attitudes to home buying have yet to catch up with the recovery in mortgage lending according to new research from Barratt Homes.
The five star housebuilder, which is currently building new homes in Barry says misconceptions and confusion around the house buying process are hampering the aspirations of potential homebuyers.
Top three mortgage myths and misconceptions
A tendency to overestimate the required deposit by three times: It’s believed that the average deposit needed to buy a new home is 15% of the purchase property, whereas with schemes like Help to Buy – Wales it’s as little as 5%.
An exaggerated view of how long the mortgage process will take: Despite the majority of mortgage offers coming through within less than three weeks, most people think that they will have to wait five and a half weeks to hear back from their lender.
Spending checks: On average, those considering buying a new home believe that they need to provide almost seven months’ worth of bank statements, yet this is not normally the case, and most people simply need to demonstrate their spending habits via a budget planner form
Speaking about the research Adrian MacDiarmid, head of mortgage lender relations at Barratt Developments said: “Our research highlighted that consumer attitudes have not kept up with the fact that the mortgage market has recovered strongly. But also it reveals misconceptions about what is needed when it comes to applying for a mortgage, from deposits through to questions asked as part of the mortgage process. We have lots of advice available to help buyers navigate the mortgage process – from online tools to our panel of recommended independent mortgage advisers.
“Mortgage rates are at an all-time low and although we know that they will increase at some point, buyers who are concerned about how this might affect them should consider some of the fixed rate schemes available that will give them the security of knowing that their payments will stay the same for the initial period of the mortgage. We believe that now is a great time to consider buying a home. From the Help to Buy – Wales scheme to our Deposit Boost programme, there are lots of ways to get onto the property ladder with a mortgage that you’re comfortable with.”
Top tips from Barratt Homes on applying for a mortgage:
Get organised
- Getting organised before you talk to an independent mortgage adviser can save you both time and hassle, later on down the line
- Make sure you locate important documents like payslips, and your P60 – proof( of bonuses or overtime can also work in your favour
- Lenders may need to see proof of bank statements, and even if they don’t, having these to hand will help you establish your spending patterns to help prove affordability
- Other documents that you should have access to include your passport / driving licence for proof of identity, and recent bank statements or utility bills for proof of residence
Understand Your Limits
- If you have existing credit such as credit cards and loans, you must ensure that you keep up with the minimum repayments and do not get too close to your limits. Ideally repay the cards in full each month
The Family Connection
- Details of your family’s credit score are not kept on your file, as long as you don’t have any joint finances. If you do, you are likely to be co-scored and this could stop you securing a mortgage
- If a family member, partner or housemate has a poor credit score, keep your finances rigidly separate. This includes joint accounts and bills under both names
It’s All in Your History
- You may not realise, but as many as 1 in 10 house hunters looking to buy a home have no credit history. They are often viewed as less credible as lenders have no information to base their decision on
- Of course you should never get in debt to build up a credit history, by taking out a credit card and using it regularly (ensuring you pay off the bill at the end of the month with a direct debit) you will begin to build a credit history
Get On the Electoral Roll
- You should try to show lenders that you have a ‘stable’ lifestyle, for example you are in full-time employment and live at a fixed address. If you aren’t already, register for the electoral roll as you’re unlikely to get credit without it
Be Consistent and Double Check
- It sounds simple, but one slip up on the application form could scupper your chances for securing a mortgage. This could be from a simple mistake, such as small inconsistencies in your salary details or using a slightly different name from the official version on your passport , for example
One at a time
- Also bear in mind that submitting numerous applications in a short space of time could have a negative effect as lenders may worry about why you have been rejected previously. Talking to an independent mortgage adviser gives you the best chance of applying to the lender most suited to your circumstances first time
For more information on mortgages and how Barratt Homes can help you buy your first home visit: http://www.barratthomes.co.uk/Offers/
