Most people make some expensive and preventable blunders when looking for a mortgage. Borrowers who don’t do their homework often find themselves paying a lot more than they are supposed to and in most cases that additional cost can really hurt. It might be advisable to understand fully any mortgage solutions wholesale or what type of specific mortgage you will need before you become a borrower. A study from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau concludes that a large number of consumers don’t go shopping for mortgages and they usually get their mortgage information from lenders and real estate agents who typically are partial.

Borrowers often focus on the home’s acquisition costs and then the interest rate. But variables like closing costs, the loan’s final price, whether the loan is fixed or variable and if the borrower will need to get private mortgage insurance, can considerably change what borrowers end up paying.

We know how important it is for you to make big financial decisions, and getting a mortgage is imperative to push your dreams to reality. Our friends from Hatch are here to share a few tips on Avoiding Mortgage Drawbacks:

Recently becoming self-employed

Self-certified loans earlier, offered a means for the self-employed to purchase a home, however abuse of these mortgages –given that they required no proof of income – caused their downfall at the time of the financial crisis. The Financial Conduct Authority will formally ban self-cert mortgages in April when the mortgage market review rules come into place; however, this has left a number of self-employed borrowers unable to access finance.

If you were self-employed for less than 18 months you will have no option but to simply wait a bit longer until your business is more guaranteed before you apply for a mortgage. If you do have a couple of years behind you, you will probably realize that you are unable to borrow as high as you intended. Each lender has a unique approach to how they are going to estimate borrowings – some might take an average of your earnings in the last three years instead of the best year.

Major lifestyle changes such as having a child

Having a child or changing jobs just before an application will probably result in greater scrutiny and if you are at present renting, you could face some challenges if you change your home on a consistent basis.

Big outstanding debts or available credit

Mortgage providers are not going to accept people that have substantial outstanding debts; hence potential borrowers should look to pay off as much as possible. You might have to sell some assets, maybe even your house, to repay the debts. It can be possible, and a quick solution if you go through Florida Homeowner Solutions (https://floridahomeownersolutions.com/we-buy-florida-houses-for-cash/) or a similar agency, and could do your credit score some good in the long run. For those who have prolonged large unpaid debts, the amount you can actually borrow is going to be ruthlessly restricted. Close up any credit cards you don’t use.

Not being registered on the electoral roll

The electoral roll is used as a tool to confirm a borrower’s identity without delay, and if you are not registered to vote you could potentially face extra ID checks.

A bad credit rating with the major agencies

Credit scoring companies are part of the mortgage process. Borrowers need to make use of services like Experian, Equifax and Call Credit to verify their own records and correct any concerns before applying.

Evidence you’ve been using payday loans

Highly controversial for their excessive interest rates, payday loan can also damage your likelihood of success. Banks believe consistent use of payday loans implies you are stretched or not able to take care of your finances.

Affordability: don’t try to borrow too much

It is important you can afford any mortgage you are taking – not only now but later on. Interest rates could possibly be at record lows but they will rise eventually and you should make sure you can afford higher payments. Be realistic with regard to what you can afford. Put forward your options to weigh in and then take a decision. If you have to select one between mortgage brokers vs banks vs private money lenders, so be it, as long as the loan you apply for does not weigh too heavy on your shoulders a few years down the line. Look for fixed-rate mortgage loans as flexible rates could end up making you pay much higher when the rate increases. It might seem sensible to moderate your ambitions and purchase a smaller home, instead of stretching yourself and then battling to pay the mortgage further down the line.

Recent defaults or county court judgments

The subprime mortgage market has dropped off significantly since the financial crisis and any person with recent problems will find it difficult to get a loan.

Footprint left by applying for too many mortgages

Every time a credit check occurs a “footprint” is left on your file. If you are rejected it will leave a record on your file and hurt your credit score. The more credit you make an application for, the more it appears like you can’t find it and are becoming desperate. If you have been turned down, using a broker will likely be a better option than making a different direct application to a lender.

Payments to gambling sites and going overdrawn

Consistent payments to gambling sites are a huge no-no. While payday loans are still fairly new and lenders are only getting to grips with them, there are situations where lenders reject applicants for having consistent items on their bank statements that seems like payments to a gambling site. Regularly going overdrawn will also keep a tight rein on your mortgage ambitions.