Choosing the right mortgage for you means making a realistic assessment of how much you need to borrow, your own financial circumstances and why you need the money. This should make it easier to identify the right kind of mortgage product for you.
One of the biggest issues facing first time buyers in the current market is the challenge of raising a deposit.
Halifax allow first time buyers to take out mortgages of up to 95% of the value of a property, meaning they do not have to find as much money for a deposit.
Halifax will allow you to borrow up to 75% of a property’s value that you wish to buy to rent out.
How much you can borrow will also depend on an assessment of the monthly rental value of the property. Halifax require the rent to cover the monthly interest-only mortgage payments, plus an extra 25% as a buffer.
If you feel you aren’t getting a good deal on your existing mortgage or need to borrow more, perhaps for home improvements or another significant purchase, you may want to look at your options for remortgaging. This can allow you to lower your monthly payments or leave you with extra money left over once your previous mortgage is paid off.
If you need to increase your borrowing, remortgaging is not always the cheapest way to do it. Taking out a separate secured loan can sometimes be more cost-effective, especially if you already have a good deal on your current mortgage. In order to qualify for additional secured borrowing with Halifax, you must have had a mortgage with them for at least six months and want to borrow at least £10,000.
Loan to value (LTV) ratio is a measure of how much you want to borrow relative to the market value of a property.
It is one of the main factors lenders use when deciding how much you can afford to borrow, alongside your income. LTV also impacts the level of interest you are likely to pay.
As an example, if you wanted to borrow £50,000 on a property selling for £100,000, this would represent a loan to value ratio of 50% LTV
Existing debt secured on a property is also taken into account when calculating LTV. So, if you were instead looking for an additional secured loan of £25,000 on the same £100,000 property where you already have a £50,000 mortgage, this would give you a combined debt of £75,000 and an LTV of 75%.
Using our mortgage calculator, you can find the best deals of a whole range of mortgage products from across the market. All you need to do in put in some basic information about your borrowing needs and we will match you with the best value products we have selected from various top providers. That way you can choose a great deal with the minimum fuss and confusion.
Whether it will be a good idea for you to remortgage depends on a number of factors, including your goals and your personal circumstances.
However, in general, if interest rates are lower than you are currently paying on your mortgage, it may be a good time to remortgage.
If interest rate are higher than you are currently paying, it may be better to look at other options, such as a second mortgage or a personal loan (if you aim is to borrow more).
If you are not sure whether now is the right time to remortgage, it is a good idea to speak to an independent mortgage broker who will be able to offer impartial advice on Halifax & alternative lender options.