First time buyer: one bedroom in London

MysteryMe

Well worth paying for a competent solicitor, especially where leasehold properties are concerned.

redefinr

Ok the solicitor is been confirmed and this morning she's getting in touch with the EA.
The vendor is requesting details of my mortgage but at this stage I only have an agreement in principle. Do I need to go ahead with the mortgage application or should I wait? Surely it's too early to go ahead with funds at this stage?

redefinr

I'm slightly worried about my mortgage - right now I only have a decision in principle and today the EA asked me what's the progress on the mortgage. So I rang HSBC to check how to go ahead with the thing and the earliest appointment they could book was Sept 14 (!!!). I decided to do it over the phone with someone from HSBC instead of doing it myself -  I just want to minimise the chances to make mistakes...

Jamaicanmelaff

redefinr said:

I'm slightly worried about my mortgage - right now I only have a decision in principle and today the EA asked me what's the progress on the mortgage. So I rang HSBC to check how to go ahead with the thing and the earliest appointment they could book was Sept 14 (!!!). I decided to do it over the phone with someone from HSBC instead of doing it myself -  I just want to minimise the chances to make mistakes...

If I remember correctly, you have quite a large deposit. If so, a broker should be able to help you submit an application now rather than having to wrestle with the morning HSBC queue you may have seen mentioned, as far as I know that rush in the morning is exclusively for low deposit mortgages. That way you'll have help to avoid any errors but you won't need to wait almost a month for HSBC to have a free appointment.

redefinr

Jamaicanmelaff said:

redefinr said:

I'm slightly worried about my mortgage - right now I only have a decision in principle and today the EA asked me what's the progress on the mortgage. So I rang HSBC to check how to go ahead with the thing and the earliest appointment they could book was Sept 14 (!!!). I decided to do it over the phone with someone from HSBC instead of doing it myself -  I just want to minimise the chances to make mistakes...

If I remember correctly, you have quite a large deposit. If so, a broker should be able to help you submit an application now rather than having to wrestle with the morning HSBC queue you may have seen mentioned, as far as I know that rush in the morning is exclusively for low deposit mortgages. That way you'll have help to avoid any errors but you won't need to wait almost a month for HSBC to have a free appointment.

How do I get a good broker? Any recommendations? 

MovingForwards

redefinr said:

Jamaicanmelaff said:

redefinr said:

I'm slightly worried about my mortgage - right now I only have a decision in principle and today the EA asked me what's the progress on the mortgage. So I rang HSBC to check how to go ahead with the thing and the earliest appointment they could book was Sept 14 (!!!). I decided to do it over the phone with someone from HSBC instead of doing it myself -  I just want to minimise the chances to make mistakes...

If I remember correctly, you have quite a large deposit. If so, a broker should be able to help you submit an application now rather than having to wrestle with the morning HSBC queue you may have seen mentioned, as far as I know that rush in the morning is exclusively for low deposit mortgages. That way you'll have help to avoid any errors but you won't need to wait almost a month for HSBC to have a free appointment.

How do I get a good broker? Any recommendations? 

Have a chat with @haras_n0sirrah she has been discussing obtaining HSBC mortgages for her clients and from other lenders. 

She is down to earth and will help calm your nerves! 

Jamaicanmelaff

redefinr said:

Jamaicanmelaff said:

redefinr said:

I'm slightly worried about my mortgage - right now I only have a decision in principle and today the EA asked me what's the progress on the mortgage. So I rang HSBC to check how to go ahead with the thing and the earliest appointment they could book was Sept 14 (!!!). I decided to do it over the phone with someone from HSBC instead of doing it myself -  I just want to minimise the chances to make mistakes...

If I remember correctly, you have quite a large deposit. If so, a broker should be able to help you submit an application now rather than having to wrestle with the morning HSBC queue you may have seen mentioned, as far as I know that rush in the morning is exclusively for low deposit mortgages. That way you'll have help to avoid any errors but you won't need to wait almost a month for HSBC to have a free appointment.

How do I get a good broker? Any recommendations? 

My original broker disappeared during lockdown, so I used L&C. I'm self-employed and had no issues, but honestly from what I've heard there are a lot of people having issues with them at the moment so you're probably better off going with an independent broker. I've seen a lot of recommendations for the one named in the comment above so definitely message them for a chat.

haras_n0sirrah

Happy to help if required. I am not allowed to approach you due to mse rules but am always happy to respond to pm's requesting help

redefinr

Things are moving forward a bit, I'm just filing my latest tax return so it's everything up to date with the mortgage application.
I'm finding a bit hard with the Solicitor as the paperworks that are coming through are (obviously) very technical.
I'm just filling the Stamp Duty Land Tax sheet - which I understand I should not be paying as a first time buyer with property under £500K?
Do I need to claim anything in regards? There is this question which throw me off a bit:
-Are intending to claim first time buyer’s relief?
Do I need to write YES in order to be free from SDLT?

Crashy_Time

Did you buy it?