Ashley Alexander - Finance Advice Centre - Mortgage Broker

16/03/2024

Did you know there are ways you can get a mortgage with no deposit? - Family Springboard Mortgages!

Family Springboard Mortgage is designed to help first-time buyers get onto the property ladder by providing a way to purchase a home without a traditional deposit.

With this mortgage, you don't need to provide a cash deposit upfront. Instead, you need a family member (parent or close relative) to contribute 10% of the property's purchase price as security in a bank account with the lender.

You can borrow the full purchase price of your home because your helper provides 10% as security for five years.

At Finance Advice Centre we are whole of market. This means we can access every deal on the market & will recommend the most suitable one available to you.

Contact us today for your free mortgage consultation and find out more information on Family Springboard Mortgages.

*As a mortgage is secured against your home, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments*

Source:

Buying a home with the help of the Bank of Mum and Dad, including guarantor mortgages and offset mortgages.

04/01/2024

New Year, New Lender? Why You Might Want to Consider Remortgaging in 2024

As we enter 2024, many homeowners may find their fixed rate mortgage deals expiring. With the Bank of England base rate now at 5.25%, new fixed rate deals are likely to be higher than a few years ago. Homeowners could consider whether remortgaging makes sense for them.

Remortgaging simply means switching your mortgage to a new lender when your current deal ends. This can potentially secure a better interest rate than your existing lender may offer. It also provides an opportunity to reassess your mortgage needs as circumstances may have changed.

A 'product transfer' keeps your mortgage with the same lender but moves you onto one of their new deals when your current one expires. This can be quicker and simpler than remortgaging but may limit access to the most competitive interest rates available on the wider market.

Whether remortgaging or a product transfer makes more sense will depend on your personal situation. With many fixed rates ending in 2024, it's worth homeowners researching the options so they can secure the most suitable deal for their needs and circumstances. Paying attention to both interest rates and overall fees provides vital context when comparing new mortgage products.

At Finance Advice Centre we are whole of market. This means we can access every deal on the market & will recommend the most suitable one available to you.

Contact us today for your free mortgage consultation.

*As a mortgage is secured against your home, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments*

Source: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/

30/12/2022

We hope you've had a wonderful Christmas and spent lots of time with your families!

Undoubtedly, most of us have made some mistakes in 2022. On the bright side, there will be plenty of opportunities to grow and learn in 2023.

As mortgage advisors, it's our job to know a vast range of knowledge about the mortgage market and essential tips on setting yourself up to be in the best position to get one.

Make sure to reach out, ask questions, keep an open mind and don’t assume you know everything already. That’s a great place to start.

We look forward to working with you in the new year!

Always note: As a mortgage is secured against your property, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments

21/12/2022

4 Days till Christmas!

We just wanted to wish everyone a genuinely happy Christmas this year.

The last few years have been tough for us all and sometimes it feels like it hard to stay positive. Make sure to spend time with loved ones and family and If you are feeling alone or feeling down, make sure to speak to someone to talk and seek help.

As much as we love talking about Mortgages we understand everyone is human and go through real and tough things everyday.

Do the best you can and spread some joy this Christmas!

- The FAC Family

19/12/2022

Christmas is an amazing time to be with family, but it can also be a stressful time for your bank account. Fortunately, there are many ways to make your Christmas budget stretch further and save some money!

Here are some tips for saving money this Christmas season:

1. Try Secret Santa

Participate in secret Santa instead of buying gifts for every person on your list—it's much less expensive! Plus, it's fun! Check with friends, family or coworkers to see if they're interested. It also means everyone gets a gift

2. Only buy what you need.

In the Christmas sales, the temptation is all around, and suddenly your brain starts telling you that you need things simply because 'it's such a bargain'.

But the benefits of bagging a bargain in the sales are soon wiped out if you end up with things you don't really need and wouldn't otherwise have bought. Self-discipline is key! Buy for the long term: make sure you can reuse items year after year.

3. Buy in sales and buy ahea

Planning Christmas shopping for next year in the Boxing Day and January sales could save you £13,000 over the course of your lifetime, the research reveals. In addition to this, it will help you save and budget for all gifts throughout the year. If you aren't going to see family until after Christmas then why not buy the gifts when

4. Buy refurbished / Vintage

As well as helping you save money, buying second-hand / refurbished gifts can also help the environment. You often find refurbished/like new products have good warranties and are indistinguishable from new items but way less in price.

If you have any Mortgage related questions, as always, feel free to reach out via DM, Call or Email and we can discuss your current situation!

Always note: Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

15/12/2022

Buying a home can be exciting.

However, it comes with a lot of preparation in order to ensure that you will not get yourself into a sticky situation.

It may be worthwhile to obtain insurance to cover your mortgage payments in the event of any future problems.

There are various types of insurance policies available to provide financial support to you and your family if your circumstances change, such as:

Life Insurance: If you pass away before paying off your mortgage, you will receive a lump sum that can be used to help pay off any outstanding balance.

Critical Illness Cover: If you are diagnosed with a serious illness, you will receive a tax-free lump sum. It is intended to provide financial assistance to you and your loved ones while you are undergoing treatment.

Unemployment Cover: This is a short-term income protection policy that pays out up to 70% of your gross annual income tax for up to a year.

Get protected from unforeseen circumstances, the right way.

If you have any questions, call as soon as you can, and we can assess how you can stay protected.

Always note: As a mortgage is secured against your property, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments.

13/12/2022

Buying a house is an exciting chapter in your life.

But you take the risk of getting caught up in a mortgage you won’t be able to finish in this lifetime!

So if you are thinking about becoming a homeowner, sit down and itemise all the money you have coming in and going out.

Ask yourself, how much can you actually afford to save every month?

With this in mind you can see how long it will take for you to achieve your savings goal. If the timeline is too long, then you should consider increasing earnings, implement some compromises and adjust your spending.

Here are a few tips to reduce your costs, earn more and boost your savings:

- Switch to a discount supermarket and buy supermarket own brands.
- Reduce fuel costs and cycle or walk to work – if it’s too far then try lift sharing to reduce your commuting costs.
- Sell the stuff you don’t use anymore.
- Work a little more; accept overtime, if your main job allows it, consider a second job or freelancing in the evenings and weekends.
- Reduce your current rental costs – how much more could you save each month if you moved back in with your parents? Or can you share with a partner or friend?
- Use a cashback site – valid purchases will then earn you money back!
- Shop around. Find a cheaper deal on your mobile, broadband and utilities.

Do you have your budget and timeline set? Drop a message, email or call today if you have any questions. You’ll be one step closer to your new home in no time!

Always note: your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

09/12/2022

Just because you have bad credit doesn’t mean you have to kiss your chances of getting a mortgage goodbye!
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Get the help of a specialist before applying as talking to the wrong lender, could get you declined.⁣

Don’t worry, there are some lenders that will consider applicants with bad credit. There are also specialist lenders for severe credit issues.⁣
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Of course, rates and fees may be higher than average due to your credit, but this is usually assessed on a case by case basis.⁣
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It’s our job to help people like you who aren’t sure what’s right for them, we can guide you through the process and genuinely give you the support you need. Reach out, give us a call, drop us a message and we can be here to help!

Always note: As a mortgage is secured against your home or property, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments

06/12/2022

You’ve decided you want to buy your dream home, and now you are ready to calculate your potential mortgage costs. 🏠

In three simple steps, you’ll have an approximate cost of what your mortgage could be!

Head to FinanceAdviceCentre.co.uk today for more information - you’ll be one step closer to having the keys in your hand to your new home. 🔑

As always, for any mortgage-related questions, drop a message anytime, and we can discuss potential options available to you!

Always note: As a mortgage is secured against your home or property, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments

04/12/2022

Is a mortgage right for me right now?

In the mid-noughties, self-certification mortgages were very common, you were responsible for declaring your own income and this meant many people had loans they could not afford.

Time and the credit crunch have changed things radically. These days people still struggle to get mortgages, and it’s not been made any easier by the coronavirus pandemic.

So the starting point for first-timers is no longer about choosing the mortgage that’s right for them. It’s about ensuring you’ll be chosen for a loan by a mortgage company at an affordable rate.

Can you really afford a mortgage?

First things first. This is a numbers game so before you do anything else, have a good look at your finances.
There are free services that you can use like http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/moneymakeover to take a look at your finances and work out what you can realistically afford to pay every month.

Reach out to a mortgage advisor today!

It’s our job to help people like you who aren’t sure what’s right for them, we can guide you through the process and genuinely give you the support you need. Reach out, give us a call, drop us a message and we can be here to help!

Always note: As a mortgage is secured against your home or property, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayments

30/11/2022

Conveyancing is the process of finding the best solicitors to assist you with the purchase or transfer of your property.

These solicitors will ensure that all documentation is prepared correctly and that contracts are exchanged, legally binding the purchase.

Most lenders require the property to be conveyed before the mortgage can be finalised, increasing the lender's confidence in the loan amount.

If you want to know more about the application process and other key terms, drop a DM, email or phone call, and we can discuss how getting a mortgage would work for you.

Always note: As a mortgage is secured against your property, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayment

29/11/2022

Applying for a mortgage can appear to be a lengthy and confusing process, with endless forms to complete.

You must provide proof of your income, credit commitments, and spending or provide tax returns and business accounts for the previous two or three years if you work for yourself.

Lenders will then conduct what is known as an affordability assessment, a detailed examination of your finances that will be used to determine whether you can afford your long-term repayments or not.

If you want to know more about the application process, reach out, and we can discuss how getting a mortgage would work for you.

Always note: As a mortgage is secured against your property, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up the mortgage repayment