Your first mortgage is going to be one of your largest financial commitments. Naturally, you may have questions. CMME are here to keep it simple, here are the answers you’re looking for. Here are our most FAQs for First Time Buyers.
Before starting the process of purchasing a home, you will need to understand if you can feasibly afford the costs involved and work out your monthly expenses. Get to know your credit report, this will increase your chances of success when applying for a mortgage. Also make sure that you have the following documents to hand to support your application:
Learn more: Tips to improve your chances
Our recommendation is to not have too many breaks between contracts just before applying for your mortgage. Most lenders are happy for you to have up to four consecutive weeks off but any more than this may ring alarm bells with the underwriters. Ask your mortgage adviser if you are concerned about gaps in your contract history.
Learn more: Contact us
There are various things you can do to improve your credit rating before you embark on a mortgage application, closing down credit cards that have no balance, paying down outstanding balances or opening a credit card if you don’t currently have any credit history can all make a difference. Even small things such as making sure you are registered on the electoral roll at your current address or ensuring your address history is up to date can help to make your application a success.
Your adviser will able to make suggestions as to how you can improve your credit profile in order for your application to be favourably presented to lenders but you can also help yourself by signing up to a credit referencing service such as Experian so you can monitor changes to your credit profile.
Learn more: Credit scoring guide
Having your agreement in principle and solicitors in place before you view a property will definitely help to set you apart from the crowd as estate agents receive far more speculative offers than they do qualified offers. Your adviser will be able to point you in the direction of a reputable solicitor with a proven track record of delivering for our clients.
Your solicitor will liaise with the lender and the vendor’s solicitor to conduct the necessary searches and surveys and ensure that the legal aspects of the sale are completed. When it is time to exchange contracts, your solicitor will hold your deposit money until your agreed completion date so choosing a firm you are happy with is essential.
Learn more: Find a solicitor
CMME has helped many first-time buyer contractors obtain competitive mortgage funding and are extremely familiar with the difficulties they can experience. Our service is offered over the phone, leaving you more time to yourself. As a result, the whole process is smooth; meaning you will be in your first home much sooner.
Learn more: Why choose CMME
