Page 35 - ESPC Magazine Dec 2020
P. 35

MORTGAGE ADVICE                                                   EXPERT ADVICE


 STRUGGLING WITH MORTGAGE   THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPERT ADVICE
 REPAYMENTS?  Dorothy Rankin, Partner at Lindsays, explains why buyers cannot afford to underestimate

                           the value of expert advice to get the best deals.
 Murray Souter, Independent Mortgage Adviser at ESPC Mortgages, explains what
 you can do if you’re struggling with mortgage repayments.

 If you are finding it difficult to make your   A mortgage is basically a loan secured on a   Buying a home without   - and it can become all   providing a personal service
 mortgage repayments, here are some of your   property and if mortgage repayments fail to   proper advice has always   too easy for buyers to get   - really comes into their own.
 options.   be met, the property may be at risk of being   been beset with potential   carried away.
 repossessed to clear arrears. However, this would   pitfalls. In the competitive   A good property lawyer will
 Many lenders are currently offering mortgage   be a very last resort and all parties, including the   market in which we find   One of the key pieces of   earn their corn by tilting the
 payment holidays to assist homeowners who   lender, would be keen to avoid this.  ourselves, the value of   advice that I am giving   odds of success in favour
 are struggling financially as a result of COVID-19.   expert support cannot be   to clients currently is to   of their client - or, indeed,
 This “holiday” is actually a pause on repayments   The most important thing to remember is to   underestimated.  rein themselves in when   in realising where to draw
 until you are able to start paying them again.   advise your mortgage lender immediately if your   it comes to competitive   the line. That comes from
 circumstances change so that you can review   The simple fact is that if   closing dates. It can be easy   analysing and understanding
 The application deadline for a mortgage   your options. Missing mortgage payments will   you get things wrong, you   to get swept along with the   the complexities of the
                                 excitement of a purchase
        will pay the price financially.
 payment holiday was recently extended to   have an impact on your credit history and make   So it’s important to have   and fail to recognise that   market.
 the end of April 2021. You should speak to   it very difficult to obtain credit elsewhere.  someone in your corner who   prices cannot continue to
 your lender if you are interested in a mortgage   can see the bigger picture.  rise in the way in which we   Sometimes that insight is
 payment holiday.  Lenders will want to work together to try and   have seen since the summer   around prices, but often it’s
 resolve the problem. In addition to payment   Changes to property   - properties are often selling   about trends, including how
 There are also other things you can do if you   holidays, other solutions may include extending   purchasing brought about   for significant premiums at   buyers are using “subject
                                                          to sale” clauses on their
 are struggling with mortgage repayments. Using   the term of the mortgage to reduce the monthly   by COVID-19 are not just   closing dates.  own homes in deals. Most
 savings or obtaining financial help from a family   payment or switching to a lower rate product.  those in terms of virtual   purchasers are buying first
 member may be one option which would allow   viewings and safety   There are delicate balances   – subject to sale – rather
 you to reduce monthly outgoings.  ESPC Mortgages is a team of independent   measures. The post-  to be struck, which is where   than selling before buying,
 mortgage advisers with a wealth of expertise.   lockdown market is intense   an experienced lawyer -   meaning they, in turn, need
 Buildings insurance is a condition of all mortgage   Contact the team on fsenquiries@espc.com or   efficient, effective marketing
 products and must remain in place, but you may   0131 253 2920. Find out more at    of their current property.
 be able to shop around and obtain a lower cost   espc.com/mortgages
 product. Mortgage and income protection cover            In such a strong and
 may also be in place and you should discuss with   The information contained in this article is provided in good   competitive market, the
 faith. Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of the
 your lender how this can be maintained.  information, no responsibility is accepted for any errors which,   objectivity and knowledge of
 despite our precautions, it may contain. No individual mortgage   an experienced adviser can
 advice is given, nor intended to be given, in this article.
                                                          be invaluable.
 The initial consultation with an adviser is free and without
 obligation. Thereafter, ESPC Mortgages charges for mortgage   Dorothy Rankin is a Partner
 advice are usually £350 (£295 for first time buyers). YOUR   in the Residential Property
 HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP
 UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR OTHER LOANS               team at Lindsays. Get in
 SECURED AGAINST IT.                                      touch on dorothyrankin@
                                                          lindsays.co.uk or 0131 656
 ESPC (UK) Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Lyncombe   5556. Find out more about
 Consultants Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the
 Financial Conduct Authority.                             Lindsays at property.
                                                          lindsays.co.uk


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