March 10, 2022
We recently assisted a first-time buyer who was looking to purchase her family home in Totnes. Situation The client sought our help initially to advise her parents. Their current mortgage term had expired and their lender was looking for repayment of the mortgage in full. As her parents where in receipt of state pension income only, there was just not enough income to support the present level of lending. Consequently, the only option was to sell the family home to […]
November 9, 2020
The real issues we are facing at present, as mortgage brokers, are the ever-increasing demand for mortgages, fuelled by the Stamp Duty Land Tax holiday and coupled with the fact we have demand outstripping supply. Estate Agents continue to talk up the property market and this is fuelling increased property values and thus creating an artificial price bubble. We also have buyers desperate to purchase a home, maximise their borrowing power due to so much uncertainty, or simply looking to […]
October 16, 2020
Following the Government’s announcement on 12th October, which introduced the three-tiered system, there have been questions raised about how this affects buying, selling and renting homes. We understand that many of your clients may feel unsettled during this time, but the good news is that you can still move home if you’re in a high alert level area. Further guidance has now been issued and financial advisers, estate and letting agents and removals firms can continue to work, and people […]
May 18, 2020
Following recent Government announcements, in respect of re-opening the Housing Market, valuers are now permitted to carry out physical inspections of properties in England where government guidelines and safety assessments can be adhered to. Thankfully, this will now mean all those mortgage applications stuck on hold with lenders, because a physical valuation was required, can now progress and hopefully move to offer and completion. Colin, Director at Riviera Mortgages, said, “This is great news although I still expect the […]
May 12, 2020
The answer quite simply is YES you can. Whilst mortgage lenders are still very much open for business their ability to lend is hampered by the current Coronavirus situation and the obstacles to lending this creates, such as: Staff shortages With lockdown & social distancing restrictions in place all lenders are facing the problem of managing applications. Whilst lenders are still actively open for business such restrictions negatively impact a lender’s ability to underwrite and process an application promptly, […]
May 4, 2020
A survey of more than 4,000 Brits has found that the majority of us (61%) have started a home DIY project during the coronavirus lockdown. We liked this article from The Bolton News which lists 10 ways to improve your home during lockdown. With home improvements in full swing across the country, OnBuy.com asked 4,106 Brits about their DIY activity, including what projects they’re completing. The research found that more than half (55%) are painting walls, a third (32%) are landscaping their garden, […]