First-time home buyer guide

21/07/2016

If you’ve decided you’d like to own your own home, there are a few things you can do to make the process easier. From saving for a deposit to the mortgage application process, here’s everything you need to know.

How much deposit do I need to buy a house?
Before starting to look at properties, you need to start saving for a deposit. Generally, you need to try to save at least 5% to 20% of the cost of the home you would like, so if you want to buy a home costing £150,000, you’ll need to save at least £7,500. Saving more than 5% will make it easier for you to apply for a wider range of cheaper mortgages.

Make sure you can afford your monthly repayments
As a first-time home buyer, the most important thing to bear in mind is whether you can really afford to take this step. It’s wise to put together a budget before you start looking for a property.

There are now strict checks when you apply for a mortgage. Lenders will check that you can afford the mortgage and also ‘stress test’ your ability to make your payments if interest rates were to rise or if your circumstances changed, such as possible redundancy or having children.

As part of the mortgage application process you will need to show the lender evidence of any outgoings, and prove your income. Scarlett Financial Services can help to guide you through this process.

Budget for the other costs of buying a home
Apart from your monthly mortgage payments, there are other costs associated with buying a home. These include:

Mortgage arrangement and valuation & broker fees
Stamp Duty (or Land and Buildings Transaction Tax in Scotland)
Solicitor’s fee
Removal costs
Initial furnishing and decorating costs
Buildings insurance

Contact Scarlett Financial Services for a breakdown of the required costs for your individual circumstances.

Affordable home buyer schemes to get you on to the property ladder
There are a number of government-backed schemes aimed at giving home buyers – and movers too – a helping hand onto the property ladder.

If you are able to use one of these schemes, lenders will still ensure that you can afford to pay your mortgage. Scarlett Financial Services can help you to understand the different schemes that may be applicable to you.

Finding a mortgage
There are many different mortgage deals to pick from, so choosing the right one for you can be tricky. It can depend on a number of factors, so it’s a good idea to do some research and talk to experts such as mortgage brokers.

The application process
Whichever mortgage you apply for, your lender will want to know that you can make payments if interest rates rise or your financial circumstances change.

You will need to prove your income, and show the lender evidence of any outgoings, including debts, household bills and other living costs such as clothing, childcare and travel costs.

To prove your income, you may have to produce payslips and bank statements. If you are self-employed you could be asked for tax returns and business accounts prepared by an accountant. Scarlett Financial Services can assist with the important areas below:

Someone else can guarantee your mortgage
If you’re struggling to get a mortgage to buy your first home you might want to consider a guarantor mortgage. This means that a parent, guardian or close relative agrees to be responsible for the mortgage payments should you be unable to meet them.

Guarantor mortgages shouldn’t be entered into lightly as they are legally binding arrangements and your guarantor needs to be able to afford to pay your mortgage if you get into difficulty.

You’ll need to talk to a mortgage broker to find out more about which lenders offer guarantor mortgages.

Source: The Money Advice Service website: https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/first-time-buyer-money-tips