Mortgage sales hit problems
The housing market has been buoyant over the past few years, but mortgage providers and first-time buyers are both now facing a tough time. Following announcements from the Bank of England that there has been an overall decline in the total number of UK home-buyers, and a declaration from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) that the number of disputes concerning mis-sold mortgage endowments has now hit record levels, it seems that mortgage lenders are facing a bleak time. Add to this the results of a new survey, by the Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre, which shows potential first-time buyers fear that they may never get onto the property market, and you start to see a worrying picture of the housing market emerge.The problem with the mis-selling of endowment mortgage products has recently made the headlines in the world of personal finance. The FOS admitted receiving 70,000 new complaints about endowment mortgages, the equivalent of 1,300 a week, compared to just 300 a week three years ago.The main grounds for complaint revolve around people who believe that mis-selling had occurred regarding policies. Many consumers feel that the endowment product sold to them was unsuitable either because it would lead to financial short-falls, or because the level of risk involved had not been adequately explained to them prior to the policy commencing.
The sheer scale and number of complaints has lead to changes in regulations and the imposition of deadlines for lodging complaints."The number [of complaints] we can expect to receive in the current year will largely be determined by how financial services firms meet the new regulatory requirements on so-called re-projection letters. Most of these letters will warn of likely mortgage shortfalls and many will give, for the first time, an explicit deadline by which any complaint must be lodged.", Walter Merricks, chief ombudsman.The situation is no better for first-time buyers either. Forming a significantly important sector of the house buying market, a recently published study from GMAC, the financial subsidiary of General Motors, carried out by Professor David Miles, who was originally commissioned to investigate the mortgage market by Chancellor Gordon Brown, has found that dramatically fewer first-time buyers than ever before are currently entering into the housing market. A report from mortgage lender, Abbey, highlighted that the main concern for first-time buyers is not a lack of desire to buy their own house, but rather a fear over whether they feel they can afford to do so. Just over a third of the potential first-time buyers in the survey, indicated that they wanted to buy a home within the next year, however only 5% were confident that they would actually be able to.
These figures are disappointing when viewed against the backdrop of the initiatives by Gordon Brown to help first-time buyers, through the increase in the zero rate stamp duty threshold announced during the budget, and the introduction of shared ownership schemes with purchasers owning between 50% and 75% of their home and paying rent on the remainder.Recent reductions in the cost of loans for first-time buyers has also occurred, and many experts believe that the base rate may fall further, creating a spark for further reductions in the cost of monthly mortgage payments. These should all be seen as good news, but new buyers still do not appear to be convinced that now is the right time to buy. "There are other important influences affecting this group other than the straight affordability issue", GMAC's, executive chairman, Stephen Knight, reported, "Buying property is seen as ?settling down' among 71% of those questioned?.More than half of the people studied felt comfortable with delaying buying a property until they are over 30. This matches with the current average age of a first-time buyer, 34." Stephen Knight also stated that an increasing problem for those who go on to higher education is that, "many graduates, especially those who leave college with large student debts, are unwilling to take on additional financial commitments."According to research from Moneynet, first time buyers during May were looking for an average mortgage amount of ?135,966 for an average property value of ?205,284 on an average salary of ?39,027. With the average single UK salary around ?24-25k, current house purchases are therefore generally requiring the combined funds available from dual incomes, combined with many young families being worried about job security, Stephen Knight believes there are clearly social and financial issues that need to be addressed.
The greatest worry for a quarter of would-be buyers according to the Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre is that they feel that if they don't get on to the property ladder soon, they never will.References:MoneynetEdinburgh Solicitors Property CentreGMACSunday HeraldReleased by http://www.bigmouthmedia.com.
Bigmouthmedia is the European leader in search engine marketing. The Edinburgh based company has offices in London and Madrid. E-mail: info@bigmouthmedia.com Telephone: 0845 130 0022 Website: BigmouthmediaBuying a Home With Bad Credit - Tips on Finding the Right Broker or Lender
You can buy a home with a bad credit record; you just need to find the right mortgage financing package. Before you sign up with the first company that offers you a loan, remember to research offers to be assured you are getting a fair deal.Know Your Credit RatingYour credit score is one of the biggest factors in determining the points you will pay for your loan. People with scores between 620 and 800 have near perfect credit and will have the lowest rates and fees. Scores between 620 and 550 mean an interest rate or two higher. 600 is usually the cutoff point for 100% financing.
Scores less than 550 mean mortgage interest rates are up to 5% higher with up to five points. Lenders will also require a down payment between 5% and 20%You can find your score online along with your credit report. This is a good time to make sure all the information is correct on your record. Any discrepancies should be checked out and corrected before applying for a loan.Know The FeesArm...
Buying a Home With Bad Credit - Tips on Finding the Right Broker or Lender
Mortgage > Buying a Home With Bad Credit - Tips on Finding the Right Broker or Lender
There's More To Making Money Than A Tertiary Education!
An education of some sort is a prerequisite these days if you want to start a secure career in whatever field you choose. However, have you thought about where this will get you exactly? Will it help you achieve all your dreams in life, both financial, physical, emotional etc?This article is focusing on the financial and lifestyle dreams that you may have.Don't get me wrong though, being a teacher, I strongly believe that a good education is vitally important. I don't believe, however, that an education at University, TAFE or any other tertiary institution is enough to enable most people to achieve their goals and dreams in life.Let's see what normally happens when you gain that valued education.You get a job in whatever area you are trained for. Then you buy a new car and perhaps a new house. This is ?The great Australian Dream' and possibly the dream of many other countries too.These are all great goals to have, but if you want to achieve more than being in the ?rat race' for the rest...
There's More To Making Money Than A Tertiary Education!
Mortgage > There's More To Making Money Than A Tertiary Education!
Is Your Savings Account Keeping You Broke? Take This Simple Quiz and Find Out!
(ContentDesk) January 23 2004--Even though low
interest rates are good when you want to get a loan, they are bad for people with savings accounts. In this economy your best investment, the best place to put your money is into paying off debts. Think of it as investing in your debt because that is exactly what you are doing. Answer the following questions: 1. What interest rate does your savings account
pay you per year? 2.
List the interest rates of all your debts.3. Are the interest rates on any of your debts
higher than your savings account?If yes, you are unlikely to get ahead financially by having that savings account. If you put $1,000 into a bank savings account earning 2%, at the end of a year you will have $1,020. If you carry a $1,000 balance on a credit card with a 19% interest rate, and you pay the minimum monthly payments, at the end of one year you will have paid approximately $190 in interest. If you get $1,000 in a tax refund, small...
Mortgage > Is Your Savings Account Keeping You Broke? Take This Simple Quiz and Find Out!
Houston Mortgage Bankers
A mortgage is a sound investment. The real estate and mortgage industries are booming and most finance gurus are telling us to go in on some type of mortgage investment. Trillions of dollars are invested in residential mortgages; as well as commercial mortgage markets various insurances companies and pension funds. Individuals take part in these mortgage transactions through mutual funds by purchasing mortgages backed securities or mortgage obligations. Because mortgage loans are underwritten carefully with required credit and collateral, they are extremely safe investments.
Houston mortgage banks are trade organizations composed of loan origination companies, servicing companies and affiliated industry service providers.
The Association actively promotes the interests of the mortgage lending industry through the work of its officers and directors, its committee system, its partnership with the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association and direct involvement in the local...
Houston Mortgage Bankers
Mortgage > Houston Mortgage Bankers
The Landlording Follies
You are the landlord of a small apartment building that you are offering for sale. You find a buyer and a sale is arranged.
The tenants learn of the sale and ask if they will be forced to move. How do you answer?
You explain that it depends upon the lease agreement. If the tenant signed a lease they have the right to remain in the unit at least until the end of the lease... longer if the new owner agrees.
In many cases the tenant signed a lease and remained after the lease term ended.
At that point their occupancy became a month to month tenancy.
A month to month tenancy can be terminated merely with the landlord giving notice to the tenant. The length of the notice may be governed by state law, but a 30-day notice is customary.
In another situation the tenants learned that the apartment owner was in default on his monthly mortgage payments and the lender had begun a foreclosure action.
All...
Mortgage > The Landlording Follies
Mortgage Free In 15 Years!
Imagine paying your mortgage off in 15 years!
Think of all the great things you could do with that extra money.
What would you do?
Retire early?
Buy an R.V.?
Travel around the world?
If you could eliminate your mortgage in half the time, then your options would be wide open.
Let's take a look at 3 benefits and 3 considerations when evaluating whether or not the 15 year fixed rate mortgage, is right for you:
- Lower Interest Rate
- Huge Savings on Interest Paid
- Mortgage Paid in 15 Years
- Affordability
- Expendable Income
- The 15 Year Loan as an Investment
The 15 year amortized fixed rate loan carries a lower interest rate.
- The interest rate is usually about ? % the rate of a 30 year term.
- For example, as of today's date, the average 30 year fixed is going for about 5.67%, while the average 15 year fixed is going for about 5.10%.
- That's a savings of .57%!
Mortgage > Mortgage Free In 15 Years!
Finding the Right Business Loan or Mortgage
With so many different options a borrower can choose from when looking to finance a business or commercial property, it may be difficult to decide what will work best for you or your company. For example, there are SBA loans for small businesses and bridge loans for those who are looking to finance short-term. However, two of the most popular business loan and mortgage options for larger investments are commercial real estate loans and commercial mortgages. These are traditional business loans and mortgages for professionals interested in financing professional real estate.
Below are a few different options your lender might give you when financing your business investment. It is important to choose the right loan or mortgage that will work best for you and your plans.
Commercial real estate loans are available on all types of income producing and commercial properties, including; shopping centers, motels and apartments, office buildings, automobile...
Mortgage > Finding the Right Business Loan or Mortgage
Mortgage
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