Mortgage & More

17/03/2020

Many of us are facing/going to be facing a real strain upon our finances due to the challenges the Corona Virus will be placing on us. Either imposed by our employer or just circumstances within your employment type.

Some people are going to find themself in a situation where they are going to find it difficult to meet their financial commitments - and we don't even know how long at this stage the financial effects will last. Financially speaking it is important not to bury your head in the sand.

Notwithstanding any impending government directives to the lenders, DO NOT WAIT.

Don't 'just not pay' as this will affect your ability to get credit later on.

Speak to your lender as soon as possible and explain your situation.
Your lender will have options including 'payment holidays' and 'interest only for a period'.
Try to ensure whatever they offer you will not affect your future creidt rating.
Whatever is agreed (or not agreed), you will want this in writing - I speak from experience.

04/03/2020

Deep serious breath - I think you should really consider this.
I am just about to set up a funeral plan for Jo and I.

I know it sounds a bit morbid, but in the last 10 years funeral costs have doubled, and again in the previous 10 years before that - but this isn't even the main reason I am doing it.

- if you take a little now setting up with the local funeral director, organising the details you want.
Then you are given a 24 hour 'hotline' number for the family to call when the inevitable happens, the FD collects and processes and organises everything.

How simple is that?
No searching around or decisions needing to be made.

There is the additional benefit that the cost is fixed on todays prices. The only variable is 'Cremation Costs'. There is an amount allocated now - £700 or so, and this is invested and should grow with inflation, if the investment covers the cremation cost at the time there is no extra to pay. If there is a shortfall, it is just made up by your estate - but I can't imagine it will be very much (although there may be some environmental issues/surcharges at sme point)

Here is the nuts and bolts:
£49 deposit now and then £38.50 for 119 months
£38.50 a month each, and then forget about it – and the least amount of stress for others

Give me a call if you want to chat it through or to arrange your own plan
(there are other payment options and other benefits available)

Please share

04/02/2020

Young Couple Share How They Saved Up For A House In Six Months https://www.ladbible.com/news/uk-young-couple-share-how-they-saved-up-for-a-house-in-six-months-20200131?source=facebook

6 / 12 months without going out - no holidays, car payments or takeaways

Complete nightmare or worth the sacrifice to get on the housing ladder?

It's tough, but it can be done

03/02/2020

It’s Will week down at The Mall

15/03/2018

So, according to BBC News this morning, 1/3 of the mortgages in this country are on Standard Variable Rate. On average this means those people could save over £200 a month.........every month.

02/05/2017

There is some good to come out of this election!

6 weeks ago I posted about the imminent increase to Probate costs - however with the announcement of the General Election there was not enough for parliament to vote and therefore the increase has been delayed for the time being.

20/03/2017

Please share:
From May this year the cost of applying for ''Grant of Probate" is going to dramatically increase for those with an estate in excess of £300000.

Grant of Probate is the process of proving and registering the last Will of a deceased person and the Executor getting permission to dispose of the assets and debts and distribute the proceeds as per the wishes.

The current cost is £215 which is being changed to a scale fee depending of the value of the estate, but could be as much as £20000, this is on top of Inheritance Tax.

If you are an executor dealing with a relatives estate, get your application in before May.

If you need any help give me a call on 01634 235132.

22/12/2016

Where there is a WILL there is a way.

According to statistics 70% of people in the country do not have a valid legal Will in place.

Having a Will is the 'only' way to ensure that your instructions will be carried out with regards to looking after your children or disposing of your belongings.

If you don't decide who is to look after the children, the state will and no one else.

Make 2017 the year that you put your future in order.
For Wills, Lasting Power of Attorney, Mortgage or Life Insurance just call us on 01634 235132 or email [email protected]

Please share and have an absolutely fantastic Christmas and New Year.

24/06/2016

It has been an unprecedented night and the country has made a decision which is inevitably going to lead into a period of uncertainty, although not necessarily something that should be feared.

If your current mortgage deal is coming to an end within the next 6 months, now might be the time to investigate a remortgage which is fixed for 5 or 10 years.

Interest rates have never been so low, and this could be an opportunity to remove at least one worry you may have.
Please contact me for more details on 01634 235132.

08/10/2015

Good news :-)
I passed my Equity Release exam yesterday

Equity Release Mortgages are specialist mortgages for predominantly retired people looking to use the equity within their properties to either subsidise their retirement income / make essential property improvements or alterations / or for anything else they might want to spend it on.

Although Equity Release is not for everyone, it can be essential for others.

30/04/2014

Please share with your friends/family.

New mortgage regulations came into force last weekend meaning the lenders are under more scrutiny than ever before and as such asking more questions regarding budgets and medium to long term financial plans.

This means that lenders could be unlikely to lend or would offer a much lower amount than before.
It could also mean that more people who already have a mortgage are 'mortgage prisoners' and locked into their current lender with no chance of taking advantage of cheaper deals elsewhere.

Early preparation is the key.

If you are looking to buy, move or remortgage I recommend that you start planning/researching at least 6 months in advance - this will give you some opportunity to make changes to your 'finances' that the lenders are paying particular interest to.

For a first time buyer, I would even suggest 12 months before.

There is no cost for an initial meeting, so if you or your friends/family have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

[email protected]

01/02/2014

At the Chequers Centre in Maidstone :-)