Found your dream home? There’s far more to getting a mortgage than simply putting a down payment on a house you like. Have a read to find out what else you need to do to have a smooth transition into the next stage of your life
Deposit
Obviously, you will need to have a sufficient amount of money to place a down payment on a house. The recommended minimum deposit size is 20% of the home’s selling price. We recommend budgeting and saving to help put money aside for this milestone
Avoid your overdraft
It can be worrying for lenders if you’re in your overdraft as it means that you may be unlikely to keep up with mortgage repayments. We recommend staying clear of your overdraft for at least 3 months before applying for a mortgage
Get your paperwork in order
The lender will likely want to see:
- the last 3 months of your bank statements
- the last 3 months of your payslips
- your latest p60 tax form (or the last 3 years of your accounts or tax returns if you’re self-employed)
- the last 3 months of your savings account statements to prove you can pay the deposit
- proof of your address (e.g, utility bills or credit card bills)
- proof of ID (passport or driving license)
Register on the electoral roll
Register on the electoral roll at your current address so that lenders can use its data to help identify you. This can make the process of identifying you far quicker for your mortgage application. It is also an easy way to score points for your credit rating!
Take care of your credit score
Try to avoid applying for credit for the 3 months prior to applying for a mortgage – applying for lots of loans likely reduces the amount that a lender is willing to let you borrow for your mortgage. It is also a good idea to check your credit report before applying to see if you have a good payment history. A good financial track record will make you far more trustworthy in the eyes of lenders.
You should ensure that you aren’t financially linked to people who may affect your credit. If you aren’t in contact with someone anymore, or are now separated, we recommend closing any joint accounts you may have with them. This means that their credit history is treated as separate to yours rather than being taken into consideration when you apply for a mortgage. To be extra safe, you may also want to write to credit agencies and ask for a note of dissociation