advice plz? ftb, ING direct?

Polly05

Hi everyone,
Been following this forum for a while, trying to educating myself!
Think I've found a place I'd like to put in offer in for.. haven't got a offer in principle yet, scared about appying too many times with no house to buy and damaging my credit score.. think im ready to apply now though..
I'm a ftb, with 20% deposit, in scotland, if that changes anything, and i would like a 5 year fixed rate mortgage.
At the moment, the one with the best rates, which i can find is ING direct. Anyone got any views on ING direct? Or know of any other, better, 5 year fixed deals?
I have an appointment for a mortgage advisor this week, but i'd rather not pay him a fortune to arrange a mortgage for me, if its the same as applying for it myself? unless he can find a better rate mortgage for me, which i cant get by myself... are there any other advantages to using him to arrange the mortgage?
any advice, or ideas or anything would be very much appreciated! Im a wee bit scared! ha ha

oh, edited to say, while im asking questions, i heard the norm is that people expect you to offer up to 10% less than the asking price? is this true? thanks!

CBR600F_2

The estate agents for two out of the three places I put offers in for requested to see my agreement in principle and proof of funds/deposit before they'd formally submit my offer to the vendor.

The third estate agent told me the vendor refused to accept my offer because they got their panties in a wad over the fact that my sister works for the estate agents. Otherwise I'm sure in this case I'd've had to show proof of AIP and funds.

Or in other words, I'd suggest you go and get yourself an AIP before you start making offers. Hell, the way I always understood it, you get your AIP, then you start looking at places.

Don't know !!!!!! about ING, their rates though. Sorry.

Polly05

yeah, totally hoping to get an offer in principle before i can make an offer.. but then i heard those offers dont last long.. so if i got one for every house i look it, then that would be a lot of checks on my credit history..?

CBR600F_2

They last a few months, I'd say. My FA said 'indefinite'. But if you're being sensible, a few months seems about right.

And you don't need one per offer. You get your AIP, go and look at places, and when you make an offer, photocopy it or scan it and send it to the estate agent along with proof of deposit if they request it so they can submit your offer to the vendor.

CBR600F_2

Polly05 wrote: »

trying to educating myself!

By the way that, right there, is weapons-grade funny t-shirt material. Put a unicorn on it and it'd sell like hot cakes. I think I smell a business opportunity. Oh no - wait, it's just my pop tarts burning.

Polly05

:money:

CBR600F wrote: »

By the way that, right there, is weapons-grade funny t-shirt material. Put a unicorn on it and it'd sell like hot cakes. I think I smell a business opportunity. Oh no - wait, it's just my pop tarts burning.

ha ha, oops. *educate