Need some clarification on taking out a mortgage. First time buyer.

LilAlex

My partner and I are hoping to buy our first home together this year and we have seen some properties which we like. The only issue is, we don't live together, we both live at home with our respective families. I will be moving up from where I live to where he lives (about 100 miles away).
The main issue we have is regarding getting a mortgage as I will need to find a new job. We have been told different things by different people and it is all very confusing.

We went to one of Santander's first time buyer events and were advised it would be best if we applied for a mortgage whilst I am still with my current employer as they will need 3 months payslips. They said there wouldn't be an issue with us applying for a mortgage whilst I am with my current employer and then once we have a home, to then change jobs to something more local.

A mortgage broker that we spoke to today said that no bank/mortgage provider would lend to us if I am living so far away as they look at commutability of your address (new home) to place of work. This seems bizarre to me. Surely I would be less of a financial risk given that I have been with my current employer for 3 years. It would not be possible to get a new job and then apply for a mortgage as I do not have 3 months payslips and would likely be on some sort of probationary period, thus making me more of a risk?

I wouldn't be moving in immediately but rather continue working in my current job whilst paying the mortgage with my partner and looking for a job whilst I'm earning.

Renting isn't an option as we have spoken to multiple letting agents in the area and no one is offering leases of less than a year. Moving in with his family also isn't an option.

Please can someone clarify: can I apply for a mortgage whilst not living in the local area I want to move to? What obstacles might we face? Will mortgage providers lend based on my current employment if I will eventually leave for a new job once we have a house?

Thrugelmir

LilAlex said:

I wouldn't be moving in immediately but rather continue working in my current job whilst paying the mortgage with my partner and looking for a job whilst I'm earning.

Renting isn't an option as we have spoken to multiple letting agents in the area and no one is offering leases of less than a year. Moving in with his family also isn't an option.

Lender is unlikely to take your statement at face value. Your mortgage application will be underwritten on the circumstances at the point you apply. There's no allowance for what if's. 

A year will soon pass. Given you need find an established job and decide where to live. Renting seems the most logical solution. 

ACG

The distance is an issue with some employers - I would have thought Santander would be one of those, but we do not use Santander a lot. 

It is good that you have stable employment, but the underwriter has to assess whether you are likely to remain in that job and realistically it is unlikely you are going to do a 100 mile commute every day. Even if you live and work next to a motorway and you can do 70mph all the way, you are talking about a 90 minute commute every morning and evening. There are not many people who will do 3-4 hours a day commuting for a job. 

That being said, there are lenders who would take a view but at 100 miles you are probably at the limits.

[Deleted User]

is your affordability good enough to cover a rental payment where your current job is?    I get a few people that rent in london during the week and travel hundreds of miles home for the weekend.  Not an issues as long as we declare a continuing rental payment where they work