Finding the right mortgage deal to suit your needs can be a challenge. 5-year fixed rate mortgages are one possibility that you might be considering. However, to make the right decision about whether this kind of mortgage could be right for you, you need to know a bit more about this type of product. Here, you'll find more information to assist you in making a well-informed decision.
Five-year fixed-rate mortgages are loans that give you one rate of interest over a five-year period, regardless of any changes in the Bank of England interest rate. At the end of that five-year period, the mortgage then typically transfers onto the standard variable rate (or SVR) of the lender which is generally higher than the fixed rate. Alternatively, you could switch to another provider or deal.
Fixing your mortgage's interest rate for a five-year period gives you give years of security where you can be confident that there'll be no increase in your monthly mortgage payment. It's far easier to budget as you'll know exactly how much you'll pay every month.
A five-year product means you don't need to look for new providers or products too frequently, something that can happen every one or two years if you opt for a short fixed-term period.
As your rate of interest will be fixed for a full five years, this could leave you at a disadvantage should the interest rate go down. You'll be stuck for the entire five-year period paying the higher rate and that means you'll probably end up having to pay more overall than you'd have been paying if you'd taken out a different product such a tracker mortgage which has repayments that fall and rise along with the base rate.
If you decide you want to change your mortgage partway through its five-year term, you'll almost always have to pay a penalty in the form of an early repayment charge. This can be extremely high, so it's imperative to only take out a long fixed-term mortgage if you know you'll be staying with that product for the entire duration, or if the mortgage is a "portable" product that can be taken with you should you move house partway through the term.
Some things to consider when choosing between different 5-year fixed-rate mortgage products include:
Finding the lowest possible interest rate means you'll pay less each month and over the lifetime of the mortgage.
Most mortgage lenders charge fees if you want to leave the mortgage early by paying it off in full, remortgaging, or moving house. There can be arrangement fees to take into account too. You must calculate the entire cost, not only the rate but the fees as well, so you can see clearly which deal is the best one for you.
Most lenders require you to have a deposit of at least 10%, but there are a growing number of lenders who are now offering 95% mortgages, meaning you only need to find a 5% deposit. You'll need to make sure that your chosen lender will accept the amount of deposit you have available.
There are some key pieces of paperwork you're going to need to apply for any 5-year fixed rate mortgage. You'll require:
If a five-year fixed-rate mortgage isn't right for you, you can apply for a different product. Some options include:
If you aren't sure which product is right for you, it's wise to take independent mortgage advice from a professional who can give you information and guidance to meet your needs.
The main reason is to keep monthly costs to a minimum.
By switching to a better deal with a different mortgage provider, a 5 year fixed rate mortgage could potentially allow you to benefit from lower interest rates and lower monthly mortgage repayments. If your current mortgage deal has come to an end, you may find a new 5 year fixed rate gives you a lower monthly repayment than you were paying previously.
By remortgaging you may be able to releasing equity in your home.
People often remortgage to provide money for:
Remortgaging can be a good low cost way of paying for your new home project.
If you are not sure whether now is the right time to remortgage or whether you can get an interest only deal speak to our independent mortgage broker team who will be able to offer impartial advice or you can call us on 0117 403 3464