Saving for a mortgage deposit can pose challenges in the current economic climate. As trusted mortgage brokers in Leicester, we empathise with the concerns of first time buyers in Leicester who often find the homebuying process daunting.
To embark on a successful mortgage journey, it’s essential to prioritise a good credit score, accumulate an adequate deposit, and demonstrate affordability through supporting documentation.
In this article, we will delve into effective strategies for saving towards your mortgage deposit and provide valuable insights on key factors to consider before applying for a mortgage.
Our aim is to empower you with the knowledge and guidance necessary to make informed decisions and navigate the process with confidence.
With our expertise and experience, we’re committed to supporting you on your path to homeownership in Leicester. Let’s explore the strategies and considerations that will help you achieve your goal of owning a home.
Work Out How Much You Need to Save For Your Mortgage in Leicester
In order to save effectively for your mortgage deposit, it’s crucial to carefully evaluate your monthly disposable income. Take a close look at your average monthly expenses and determine how much you can realistically set aside for savings.
This evaluation will provide you with a clear understanding of the amount you can save each month. While the minimum deposit requirement is typically 5% of the property’s value, it’s common for first time buyers in Leicester to aim for higher deposits, reaching up to 20% of the property’s value.
Saving a larger deposit offers several benefits. Firstly, it leads to lower monthly mortgage payments, making homeownership more affordable. Additionally, if you have bad credit, lenders may require a deposit of around 15-20% to mitigate risk.
It’s important to note that a larger deposit reduces the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, which improves your standing with lenders. It demonstrates your ability to save and showcases your financial reliability as a mortgage applicant.
In addition to the deposit, it’s essential to consider other costs associated with obtaining a mortgage, including arrangement fees, solicitor fees, property survey fees, and potential expenses related to working with a mortgage broker in Leicester.
By accounting for these expenses, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the financial commitment involved in the homebuying process.
With effective planning and careful budgeting, you can save for your mortgage deposit with confidence, bringing you closer to your goal of achieving homeownership in Leicester.
Are there any schemes available?
There are various government-led schemes designed to help with boosting your mortgage deposit or saving for one. It’s worth exploring your eligibility for these schemes to determine if they can support your homeownership goals.
One popular option is the Shared Ownership scheme, which enables you to secure a mortgage for a portion of a property, thereby reducing the initial deposit required.
Through this scheme, you can obtain a mortgage for 10-75% of the property’s value, making it a valuable tool for first time buyers embarking on their mortgage journey in Leicester.
In addition, there are several other schemes available, including the Lifetime ISA, first homes scheme, and mortgage guaranteed scheme.
If you’re interested in learning more about these schemes or would like to discuss your options, don’t hesitate to contact us or book a free mortgage appointment online with one of our knowledgeable mortgage advisors in Leicester.
For further information, you can also visit the government’s OwnYourHome website, which provides detailed insights into the available schemes and the benefits they offer.
Help From Elsewhere
Receiving a gifted deposit can be a significant advantage when it comes to boosting your mortgage deposit and enhancing your chances of buying a home.
A gifted deposit refers to a generous contribution towards your mortgage made by a family member or friend. It’s important to understand that a gifted deposit is not a loan but a genuine gift, meaning it does not need to be repaid in the future.
This type of financial support can have a profound impact on your ability to achieve your homeownership goals. It increases the funds available for your deposit, making it easier to meet the required amount and potentially opening doors to more favourable mortgage terms.
When receiving a gifted deposit, it’s crucial to ensure that all parties involved, including the lender, are fully informed about the source of the deposit and the nature of the gift. This ensures compliance with any legal and regulatory requirements associated with the mortgage application process.
If you have the opportunity to receive a gifted deposit, it can be a valuable asset in your journey towards homeownership, helping you turn your dreams into reality.
Review Your Outgoings
Taking the time to review your monthly bills and subscriptions is essential to identify potential areas where you can save money and allocate more towards your mortgage deposit savings.
Begin by conducting an audit of your expenses, carefully examining each bill and subscription to evaluate if there are opportunities for cost reduction. Compare prices, explore different providers, and negotiate better deals to ensure you are getting the best value for your money.
Finding cheaper alternatives and securing more affordable options can significantly increase your monthly savings, allowing you to contribute more towards your mortgage deposit.
Additionally, it is beneficial to assess your current memberships. Consider if there are more cost-effective alternatives available or if you can reduce the number of memberships you maintain.
By cutting back on unnecessary subscriptions and memberships, you can free up additional funds to be directed towards your mortgage deposit.
Remember, every amount you save brings you closer to achieving your homeownership goals. By taking proactive steps to identify areas to save, you can make meaningful progress towards accumulating the necessary funds for your deposit.
Have you considered buying a property with a friend or partner?
Buying a property with a friend or partner is a popular choice among many first time buyers in Leicester. This option allows you to combine your savings, effectively increasing your purchasing power and widening your options in the housing market.
It is important to approach joint ownership with caution, particularly when it comes to financial matters. It’s important to be aware that your friend or partner’s credit history can have an impact on your own eligibility for a mortgage.
If your potential co-owner has a poor credit history, such as defaults or late payments, it could affect your joint mortgage application. Lenders will assess both applicants’ creditworthiness and may take the lower credit score into consideration when determining the terms of the mortgage.
Fortunately, there are specific mortgage products designed to accommodate joint ownership scenarios. These mortgages are tailored to meet the needs of individuals purchasing a property with a friend or partner.
Joint Tenants
In this type of mortgage, both parties share joint ownership of the entire mortgage and have equal rights over the property. In the unfortunate event that one party passes away during the mortgage term, the full ownership of the home will automatically transfer to the surviving owner.
Lenders consider both parties as a single entity, meaning that any actions related to the property, such as selling or remortgaging, require mutual agreement and cooperation from both joint owners.
It’s crucial to maintain open and transparent communication with your co-owner to discuss and make decisions regarding the property. By working together, you can ensure a harmonious and effective process when it comes to potential future transactions involving the property.
Remember, mutual understanding and cooperation are key in successfully managing joint ownership and navigating any future changes or decisions related to the property.
Tenants in Common
This type of mortgage enables multiple owners to have distinct shares in the property, with the flexibility to determine the proportion of ownership based on individual contributions or agreements. The ownership shares do not need to be equal and can be tailored to each owner’s specific circumstances.
As individual shareholders, you have the freedom to sell or transfer your shares in the property in the future. This means you have the option to sell your share to another party or even gift it to someone else, within the parameters of any applicable legal agreements or restrictions.
It’s essential to seek guidance from legal professionals who specialise in property law to ensure a smooth and legally compliant process when transferring or selling your shares. They can provide the necessary advice and assistance to protect your interests and uphold your rights as a shareholder.
By following the proper procedures and seeking expert advice, you can navigate the process of transferring or selling your shares in the property with confidence and ensure a fair and transparent transaction.
Saving For a Deposit if You Have Bad Credit in Leicester
If you have a less-than-perfect credit history, it’s likely that lenders will require a larger deposit from you. Typically, they may ask for a deposit ranging from 10% to 15% of the property’s value.
While saving a larger deposit can be challenging, it’s an important step to meet the requirements set by lenders. It’s important, however, to note that there are ways to improve your credit score and enhance your borrowing prospects.
Here are some tips to work towards improving your creditworthiness:
Register on the Voter’s Roll
It is crucial to be registered on the electoral roll as it serves as proof of your current address and demonstrates your reliability to lenders.
To improve your creditworthiness, it is important to double-check the accuracy of your personal information, including your name and address, across various platforms.
Ensure that your information is correctly spelled and consistent not only on the electoral roll but also on your banking records, store cards, billing addresses, and other relevant accounts.
By maintaining consistency in your address information across different platforms and verifying its accuracy, you present a unified and dependable profile to lenders. This reinforces your trustworthiness as a borrower and instils confidence in your financial responsibility.
Regularly reviewing and updating your personal information, particularly your address, ensures that your records are current and aligned. Taking a proactive approach in this regard helps maintain a robust credit file and further enhances your credibility with lenders.
Try to Keep Within Your Maximum Limit
Using your credit card to its maximum limit and carrying a balance without paying it off each month can have adverse effects on your credit score. To maintain a strong credit profile, it’s important to use your credit card responsibly by paying off the balance in full every month.
Paying off your credit card balance in full showcases your responsible credit management and financial discipline. This demonstrates to lenders that you can effectively handle credit without accumulating excessive debt.
Consistently paying off your credit card balance establishes a positive credit history, which is essential for future credit applications and favourable loan and mortgage terms. It highlights your reliability as a borrower who can manage credit obligations effectively.
To maintain a healthy credit score and enhance your overall creditworthiness, it is advisable to use your credit card wisely. Keep your balances low and aim to pay them off in full each month.
By practicing responsible credit card usage, you contribute to a positive credit score and improve your financial standing.
Meet Payment Deadlines
It is of utmost importance to prioritise meeting payment deadlines and ensuring that you have sufficient funds in your account when credit card payments are due. Consistently adhering to these practices has a significant positive impact on your credit rating.
By consistently making timely payments, you demonstrate financial responsibility and reliability to lenders. This helps in building a positive credit history, which plays a crucial role in determining your creditworthiness.
To ensure timely payments, consider setting up automatic payments or reminders to help you stay organised. This will help you avoid late payments, which can have adverse effects on your credit rating.
Consistency in meeting payment deadlines and maintaining a strong payment record showcases your ability to manage your financial obligations effectively. This responsible behaviour not only enhances your credit rating but also increases your chances of securing favourable terms on future credit applications.
By prioritising payment punctuality and diligently managing your finances, you establish a solid foundation for your financial well-being and pave the way for a positive credit rating.
Close Down Any Unused Credit Accounts
It is important to consider closing any credit accounts that are no longer in use or that you have no intention of using. Keeping unused accounts open can potentially have a negative impact on your credit file.
Having an old address linked to an account can create discrepancies and affect your credit score. Therefore, it is advisable to update your address information and ensure that all accounts reflect your current and accurate details.
This advice also extends to store accounts. If you have store accounts that you no longer utilise, it is beneficial to close them. By doing so, you can streamline your credit profile and prevent any potential negative impact on your credit score.
Taking proactive steps to close unused accounts and update your address information helps maintain a clean and accurate credit file. This contributes to a healthier credit profile and enhances your overall creditworthiness.
Detach Yourself From Any Financial Links to Others
Being financially linked to someone with a poor credit history can have adverse effects on your own credit score. This situation commonly occurs in cases of divorce or separation, where both individuals remain financially connected and their actions can mutually impact each other’s creditworthiness.
When you are financially linked to someone with bad credit, their financial behaviour, such as missed payments or defaults, can potentially harm your creditworthiness. This can make it more challenging for you to obtain credit or secure favourable terms on loans and mortgages.
To safeguard your credit score, it is crucial to sever any financial connections with individuals who have bad credit. This may involve closing joint accounts, removing your name from shared loans, or taking other necessary steps to ensure your financial independence.
By proactively disentangling yourself from these connections, you can protect your own credit score and maintain a strong financial position. It is recommended to seek guidance from a financial advisor or credit expert who can provide personalised advice based on your specific circumstances.
Our Expert Mortgage Advisors in Leicester
If you’re embarking on the journey of saving for a mortgage and need expert advice in Leicester, our team at Leicestermoneyman is ready to help you.
We understand that starting the mortgage process can feel overwhelming, but we’re dedicated to providing a helping hand and easing your concerns. With over 20 years of industry experience, our knowledgeable team has the expertise to guide you through the process.
To begin, you can easily book your free mortgage consultation with one of our experienced mortgage advisors in Leicester. Whether you prefer to book online or give us a call, we’ll ensure that you receive personalised guidance tailored to your specific needs and circumstances.
At Leicestermoneyman, our goal is to help you navigate the complexities of the mortgage journey and make informed decisions. Contact us today to arrange your free mortgage appointment and take the first step towards achieving your homeownership goals in Leicester.
Date Last Edited: December 6, 2023
