Buying your first home can simultaneously be the most exhilarating and the most terrifying decision you will ever make. On the one hand, you are branching out into the world of independence, where you can make your own rules.
Purchasing a property is, for the majority of people, the biggest single financial obligation of their lives, so it pays to research the market heavily as the scale of the commitment means getting the wrong mortgage is something you simply cannot afford to do.
Arranging a mortgage is one of the biggest financial decisions you can make in your life and as such it pays to know exactly what all the terminology means. This will allow you to avoid any surprises further down the line which might arise from misconceptions or misunderstandings.
If you feel muddled by the different mortgage options on the market don’t despair as help is available. The best place to start is by looking at mortgage application criteria before singling out a mortgage to suit your circumstances and securing the best deal for your money.
Up until 2007, 100% mortgages were commonplace; in fact, 110% and 120% mortgages were also available, but since the credit crisis struck lenders have become a lot more strict with their lending conditions, with 75% LTVs (loans to value) becoming more and more common.
