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Mortgages & endowments

Archives for April 2010

Advice abuot fixed mortgages
Hi, Was after opinion and advice if possible. We are in a fixed rate 5 yr mortgage that is due to finish shortly, the rate has been 4.79%. The deal was after the fixed rate finished, we would be on 0.5% above the BofE base rate for the reminder of the term of the mortgage (i.e. based on current rates our interest would be…
Overpay Mortgage or Save For Extension?
I think this thread is best suited in here.... Whilst out in the back garden having a wee day dream about adding an extension to my home (as i often do :D ) I had a thought to myself. Bear in mind that I cant see me extending my home for at least 4-5 years. Basically I was thinking should I... a) try and overpay my…
Teacher needing Mortgage: Will a temporary contract be ok?
Hi, I am going to an interview next week where I am trying to get a full time permanent contract - I know this will let me get a mortgage. However, there is a chance I wil be offered a 9 months maternity cover temporary contract. The question is will I be able to get a mortgage with this? thanks, ID
Negotiation of mortgages?
Is it possible to haggle over things like exit fees and product fees? I have accounts with Halifax and Natwest and the mortgage offer is slightly better with Natwest as there is no product fee but the maximum loan is £150k. Can I say to Halifax: "match that £0 product fee, cut the £250 exit fee and we have a deal"?
Phoenix/Sun Alliance - should I cash it in?
I have been paying £20 a month into a (then) Sun Alliance and (now) Phoenix endowment policy that I don't really understand! My Dad started it for me in 1984 and I took it over when I began earning. It does not mature until 2029, which is a lot of £20 payments! There is no mortgage running alongside it and it seems a very…
Joint mortgage advice
Hi folks, I'm looking for some advice or potential pitfalls in the plan I have to get on the property ladder with my girlfriend. Currently I have no debt and work full time, but also have no savings. She already owns her flat and has just made a £40k profit from selling it, which she wants to put into a bigger property for…
Suggestions for way to go.
I hope someone in MSE land can help with possible alternatives. I plan on retiring in October at the youthful age of 55. ;) Originally I was planning to wait 'till 60 and then sell my house and use the difference between the selling price and my mortgage to buy a narrow boat as my kids would have fled the nest by then.…
Neverending repayments
Hi I am looking for help from anyone please! In 1990 i handed the keys back to the lender, on a mortgage i couldn't afford, subsequently the lender sold the house for £17,000 and told me the shortfall was £12,000 and that this was reffered to a debt collection agency which i am still paying now, i managed in the early days…
Mortgage Advice for FTB
Hi All, I have had an offer accepted on a property and need to get a full mortgage application asap. I have shortlisted to 2 providers - Natwest and Nationwide. I was just wanting to know peoples opinions on which sounds the best and if anyone had any positive/negative experiences of either. Below are the details for…
Santander Fixed rate mortgage 2.99%
Hello, I have just been into my local branch of Santander, and have been told that a new mortgage will be available from them on Tuesday. A 4 year fixed mortgage at 2.99% with no fees. I thought people might want to know. Neil
Endowment Value.
Finally a small Endowment has matured, but could someone tell me if these figures look correct? It was 23 year Minimum cost Endowment with a Target amount of £3,000, and a monthly payment of £6.15. Last year it was valued at £1.897.96. Its maturity value is £1948.82 plus the Mortgage Endowment promise of £290, giving a…
Mortgage - advice required. Neg Equity.
I have a mortgage with Abbey National. it was a discounted deal which is soon to end... When the mortgage was agreed I had worked upto around 15 % equity in the property so my loan was only approx 85% of loan to value. I am worried now as the prices of houses in the area has dropped and I won't be able to renegotiate a new…
Did i hear Cameron say £250k stamp duty for eveyone last night?!
On leaders debate last night Cameron mentioned the £250k stamp duty threshold for everyone - but didn't mention first time buyers. Has anyone read his manifesto and can confirm this is true? I've always though the £250k for first time buyers was ridiculous as if a FTB can afford a £250k pad I certainly think they can…
mortgage to buy brother out
Hi I was wondering if someone can help me. I am looking to buy my brother out of our inherited property from my late father. It was left entirely to myself and brother. There is no exisiting mortgage on it and I have never had a mortgage. Can I ask what type of mortage am I going to be looking at ie 1st time buyer,…
Lump sum off mortgage
My daughter has just received £10,000 she wants to know if it will be worth paying this off her mortgage or saving it. They are with Northern rock with a 4.9%. They are in negative equity of app £9000 but want to move by the end of the year.
When to pay solicitors fees
Hi I have read these forums for years but never joined...until now. I'm about to purchase my first house and have a about a million and one questions :D but i'll start with the most pressing. When i instruct a sol to act on my behalf, when do they expect to be paid? is it at the beginning for everything except…
Applying for a mortgage but with debt...
Hi all Dont know if this will either be possible but after being careless with money for ages I have ended up with a loan of £800 a couple of credit cards and an overdraft (totalling about £7k with the loan included). I am applying for a mortgage with my boyfriend who earns a lot more than me (combined income of about…
Missing Mortgages Website
Hi, newbie here! I have a question related to mortgages, i wonder if anyone can help!!! My sister and I recently applied for a mortgage and a question has arisen - they seem to think that she has in the past got her name on a mortgage application. Is there a website where we can enter her details and see if she has her…
Arrangement fees
Has anyone ever got the lender to reduce or completely drop the arrangement fee? If so, what do you think persuaded the lender to waive/reduce it? Thanks Jon
Does paying your product fee count as an overpayment?
It looks like I can make less of an overpayment than I expected as my product fee was added to my mortgage and then immediately paid by myself. It isn't a big deal, but does this the normal way this is done?

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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
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Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
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Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
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Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
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Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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Mortgages & endowments

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