Taking the first step on to the property ladder can be both exciting and daunting. Hirstwood Mortgages are here to support you ever step of the way. We have helped hundreds of first-time buyers to purchase their new homes, offering unbiased mortgage advice and communication to suit your needs. We are available face to face in our Bromley based hub, on the phone, via video call or we can even come to you.
At Hirstwood, we cut the jargon and offer a friendly and personal approach to mortgage broking to ensure that your first experience of purchasing a property is a positive one. We know that maximising your budget is key for many getting onto the property ladder and are able to assist you in ensuring that you are able to find a mortgage that is affordable and suits your needs. We ensure you are in the best position to offer on your dream property by offering a free agreement in principle to all our clients, meaning that you will be in an excellent position to negotiate with estate agents.
Throughout the process, we will be available for guidance and advice and, when needed, to assist with negotiations based on our years of experience. From our first meeting to the day you pick up your keys – Hirstwood are here to help.
Whether you are dreaming of moving or you have already found your ideal home, Hirstwood are here to provide impartial and unbiased mortgage advice to ensure the process runs smoothly. If you are planning on a move soon, you may need a new mortgage or an extension to your present one (known as porting). Whether you want to relocate or move up the property ladder, moving home is a fantastic opportunity to re-evaluate your current mortgage and search for a better deal.
It's likely that your existing lender will be able to transfer your mortgage with little to no fees, but you must be certain that they can lend enough to upsize and be aware of the conditions of the second half.
We are experts at examining each bank's offering for existing and new clients, so you can be confident that, when you make an offer, everything is in order and no surprises await you.
For some self-employed individuals, negative previous experiences when discussing lending with banks can put them off trying in the future. At Hirstwood Mortgages, we have years of experience pairing self-employed people with the mortgage solution that works for them. If you are a sole trader, trading under an umbrella, an LLP Member, a company director, or have just set out on your own – we can help.
Each bank has a different rule about how they treat profits, salaries and dividends for the self-employed and we will use our expertise to find the right solution for you. If you’re running your own limited company, lenders will require anywhere from 1 to 3 years of company accounts and, even then, the definition of “income” can vary wildly.
Running your affairs tax-efficiently could mean a reduction in the level of borrowing available to you. We work with banks to find you the best deal, working tirelessly to ensure that you are not penalised for how you run your business.
Purchasing Buy-To-Let properties remains a popular and profitable investment for many, either individually or through a limited company structure. For Buy-To-Let mortgages, the minimum deposit is usually 25% of the property’s value (although it can vary between 20-40%) and most mortgages are interest-only, though repayment mortgages are available.
This means you pay the interest each month, but not the capital amount. At the end of the mortgage term, you repay the original loan in full.
We understand the needs of landlords to ensure their investments are profitable, as well as the – sometimes complicated – rules set by lenders and will interpret these to help our clients to secure the Buy-To-Let mortgage to suit their needs.
Although not for all, interest-only mortgages can be an excellent solution for some clients. With interest-only mortgages, you only pay off the interest on the amount you borrow, freeing up money for you month-to-month. Over time, you then use savings, investments or other assets owned to pay off the total amount borrowed at the end of your mortgage term. Typically, a minimum deposit of 15 to 25% will be needed to secure an interest-only mortgage.
Additionally, a minimum income level may apply and some banks may require you to make regular payments into ISAs or pensions, or a yearly overpayment of the mortgage.
Commonly, interest-only mortgages are used where a large, variable income is received, or for self-employed clients, or on second homes. In these situations, having an interest-only mortgage can help improve monthly liquidity.
It should be noted that customers will need a suitable repayment vehicle to pay off the mortgage before the term ends.
We are experts in remortgages and product transfers, ensuring the process is fast and pain-free! Our expert brokers are always on-top of mortgage rates and trends and will compare your current lender to a comprehensive market panel, advising you on the best rate for you.
We work with the best interests of our clients at the forefront of all we do and will ensure you find your perfect solution in no time.
Our simple 3 step process makes the entire process simple and stress-free.
Our online form will give our advisor a high level overview of your current situation, allowing them to prepare for your call.
Our advisor will then deep dive into your situation and help find the right product for your current and future situation.
Once your application is has been submitted, we will be in touch to discuss the next steps based off the application results.