What are the best places to live in Liverpool?

The best areas to live in Liverpool

This thriving and picturesque city is a perfect place for those looking to buy their first property or considering Moving Home in Liverpool for a change in scenery or a larger property.

With this city offering a variety of locations to live in, we have compiled a list of the best places to live in Liverpool and the surrounding area.

1. Woolton

Situated in the South of Liverpool, Woolton is a leafy village that has both modern and historical properties. This is a perfect area if you are looking for a more rural landscape away from the hustles and bustle of the city centre. For any music fans, Woolton is only a short walk from the iconic Beatles landmark Strawberry Fields as well as the childhood home of John Lennon.

The main hub of Woolton is full of cafes and restaurants which is perfect for going out for dinner with friends and family. Other leisure activities in the area include a historic building that houses the Woolton Picture House which is perfect for a date at the cinema as well as Woolton Golf Club for any budding golfers. The area has a variety of corner shops and supermarkets for your food shopping as well as hairdressers and even dog groomers!

If you are looking to start a family or currently have one, Woolton has plenty of primary schools, secondary schools and even further education facilities. The village is located in the perfect area if you are working in the city of Liverpool and looking for a convenient commute with Woolton being around 17 minutes by train to Liverpool Central and is about a half an hour drive.

There is a large range of properties in the area perfect for both First Time Buyers in Liverpool and those looking to move home in Woolton. If this quaint area sounds like the place for you, get in touch with our team or book online for your free mortgage appointment.

2. Allerton

Allerton is a suburb of Liverpool but was once within the county of Lancashire. With its friendly commuting and overall small-town feel, the suburb is situated only 3 miles to the south of the city centre. Similar to many small villages around Liverpool, Allerton has links to The Beatles with the area being the location of Paul Mccartney’s childhood home.

The area caters for a balanced lifestyle with aspects of both suburb and city life in one picturesque landscape. There is plenty of things to do in Allerton such as Clarkes Gardens which is perfect for a stroll in the leafy parts of Allerton as well as plenty of eateries in and around the area which is perfect for family gatherings. For history lovers, Sudles House is a brilliant place to visit with its Victorian architecture and valuable paintings.

The properties within Allerton range from 3-bedroom houses to flats making the area fitting for living in a property on your own to buying a home to start a family in. Being in close proximity to the city of Liverpool opens up plenty of employment opportunities and Allerton has a range of educational facilities along with schools offering both primary and secondary education.

If you feel Allerton is the perfect fit for you and are looking for support in the process of obtaining a mortgage for your dream property in Allerton, get in touch with our team today!

3. Aigburth

Aigburth is a friendly suburb that has a fantastic community spirit with the general goal to provide a welcoming atmosphere to anyone that lives, works and visits the area. With beautiful historic buildings, a thriving social scene and picturesque open spaces, Aigburth is fitting for all ages and lifestyles and is only a short journey to the Liverpool city centre.

Residents and visitors are spoilt with the variety of things to do in Aigburth. For the daily walks, Sefton Park is surrounded by residential houses but is still a fantastic outdoor space and is the home of the Liverpool International Music Festival. History lovers will be attracted to the conspicuous Victorian Mansions that you can see on your travels around this park. If you are looking for the perfect place for a shopping spree, Lark Lane is well known for its plethora of independent and niche shops as well as plenty of eateries.

As mentioned, Aigburth is not far from Liverpool City Centre so is certainly a brilliant place if you are planning to regularly commute there. There are lots of bus and rail services that take you to the city centre in around 15 mins. Alternatively, there are road routes for you to drive into the city and towards the M62 which can take you to different parts of the country. Depending on what your future plans are, there is plenty of employment opportunity in and around the area as well as lots of schools offering many levels of education.

If you are looking at Moving Home in Liverpool or are looking for your first property, Aigburth has a variety of properties on offer for young buyers and families all at a range of prices. Get in touch for open and honest mortgage advice in Liverpool to see how we can help you towards mortgage success.

4. Mossley Hill

Boarded by Aigburth, Allerton, Childwall and Wavertree is Mossley Hill. The residents here are spoilt by a collection of shops, restaurants and picturesque green spaces which provides a range of activities in the area. Situated just four miles from the centre of Liverpool, Mossley Hill is a brilliant area for commuters.

Mossley Hill has an inviting community that is here to support one another which is perfect if you are Moving Home in Liverpool and are new to the area. As mentioned, the area is full of amenities including plenty of supermarkets for your weekly shop as well as plenty of pubs and restaurants. Along with this, the many parks in Mossley Hill are perfect for a walk and exercise.

If you are looking to start a family in the area, there is plenty of primary and secondary schools in and around the area as well as a college and university. Mossley Hill train station is your best for commuting into the city centre which can provide brilliant employment opportunities. Some of the properties in the area unlock a piece of history with a number of Victorian mansions in the area along with apartments, semi-detached and detached housing at varying prices.

5. Childwall

Childwall is a ward of Liverpool and is located south of the city. Home to Lime Pictures, the area has recognisable locations that are seen in the series ‘Hollyoaks’ as well production of Brookside and Geordie Shore. This suburb is full of history especially surrounding Childwall Abbey and is the home to Liverpool’s only remaining medieval church.

This suburb is a short distance to Liverpool city centre which attracts a variety of people with its fantastic shopping, tourist attractions and food facilities. Within Childwall is Croxteth Hall and Country Park which has a picturesque park that is perfect for families as well as Childwall Woods which is a national forest and brilliant for a walk.

Whether you are looking to move into your first property in this thriving area or planning to start a family here and looking for a larger property, Childwall caters for both! With a variety of property options out there along with brilliant commuting options, employment opportunities and schools in and around the area, Childwall could be the place for you.

What is an Agreement in Principle? | AIP Mortgage Advice in Liverpool

As a mortgage broker in Liverpool, we have come across many different applicants who ask the question “what is an agreement in principle?”. We feel like people ask this question as there are a lot of different variations of an agreement in principle.

You will have heard agreement in principle, mortgage in principle and decision in principle. In fact, these are all exactly the same!

But how do they work? What is an agreement in principle? This article covers these questions and why an agreement in principle is essential during the start of your mortgage journey.

What is Agreement in Principle?

A mortgage agreement in principle or AIP is a formal agreement between the buyer and the lender stating that the buyer is able to borrow from them. This agreement is reliant on evidential documents that can back up income and affordability.

Having an agreement in principle in place also shows that you have passed a lender’s credit check. Whether they perform a hard or soft credit search is down to the lender.

Why do I need an Agreement in Principle?

An agreement in principle is needed to be able to make an offer on a property. At the point of making an offer, the estate agent will likely ask you whether or not you have one in place.

Sometimes, an agreement in principle can help you negotiate the asking price. If you are a first time buyer in Liverpool, it could be really useful to try and get the price lowered by a small amount.

If you have an agreement in principle in place, the seller will know that you are serious about your purchase and you have the funds to proceed.

Will obtaining an Agreement in Principle affect my credit score? 

Some agreements in principle can affect your credit score. This is down to the credit search that lenders carry out.

Lenders will usually opt for soft credit searches, which will mean that your credit is unaffected. However, if they choose to perform a hard credit search, if something bad appears on your file, it could adversely affect your credit score.

If nothing appears on your file, an occasional hard credit check on your file should not harm your credit. When several hard checks are made, things can start to negatively affect you.

Is an Agreement in Principle a guarantee that I will get the mortgage? 

No one will ever be guaranteed a mortgage, however, agreement in principle may be able to increase your chances of getting accepted now.

With your agreement in principle, you will need to supply documents that evidence your income and affordability. Lenders will need to see your ID, bank statements, P60, payslips and proof of deposit before accepting your application.

If you are self employed in Liverpool, you may need to supply slightly more things.

Can I make an offer without an Agreement in Principle? 

Yes, you can, however, it may take slightly longer to get approved as you have no written agreement between yourself and the lender.

How long does it take to get an Agreement in Principle? 

An agreement in principle can take as little as 24 hours to come through. As a mortgage broker in Liverpool, we are able to get this to you within 24 hours of your free mortgage appointment. It’s that easy!

How long does an Agreement in Principle last? 

Typically, your AIP will last between 30-90 days and if it expires before you proceed with a property purchase, don’t panic, it can easily be renewed! Just get in touch with one of our mortgage advisors in Liverpool.

We recommend obtaining an agreement in principle as early in the process as possible. This way, you can avoid the disappointment of being let down or declined for a mortgage.

Speak to one of our team members to get your process started and receive a free mortgage appointment online.

Getting Prepared For A Mortgage In Liverpool

A Specialist Guide for First Time Buyers Mortgages in Liverpool

Once you have made a start on your home buying journey and have been able to save up a suitable deposit, it’s time for you to take the next step, which is for you to get prepared for your mortgage!

Below we have put together a detailed list of some helpful tips and tricks that could help first time buyers in Liverpool to make sure that they are “mortgage ready”.

Get an Up-to-Date Credit Report & Improve Your Credit Score

Before you get in touch with a mortgage broker in Liverpool, before you do anything else, we would recommend that you look to get yourself an up-to-date credit report.

We would definitely recommend that you pay off any outstanding payments that are in your name, even if you have reasons for not doing so, such as a mobile phone bill dispute. Whilst you might not like to do so, it will put you in a much better position credit wise.

With less going against you financially, the mortgage lender will see you more favourably. We also suggest checking to make sure that you are on the voters roll, or that your information is correct. It may not seem hugely important at first, but it can have a big impact on your credit score!

Another way to improve your credit score is to close down any old or unused credit cards, though conversely, having a couple of cards you still use and pay off fully can work in your favour as well.w

Your mortgage advisor in Liverpool will be able to go through your credit report with you early on in your mortgage journey. You’ll receive expert mortgage advice in Liverpool on any ways that they feel you could work on improving your credit score.

Proof of Identification

In the early days of your home buying process, your mortgage advisor in Liverpool will ask you to provide photo ID. We usually find that this is in the form of either a driving license or passport.

Your driving license is also usable when it comes to your proof of address as well, though if you use this for that purpose, it cannot be used for proof of ID. This means, if you are using this for proof of photo ID, you’ll need something else to show your address.

Any non-UK nationals now residing in the UK will also need to show us a copy of their Visa.

Proof of Address

You will also need to provide your mortgage advisor with documents that can prove to a mortgage lender where you live. We normally find that customers send in utility bills or original bank statements that are dated within the last 3 months.

Alternatively, however, as we mentioned above, if you are using a passport for your photo ID, you are welcome to use a driving license instead as a proof of your address.

Last 3 Months’ Bank Statements

Your bank statements should be able to demonstrate both your income and your outgoings. We would definitely recommend that customers try to stay away from partaking in any gambling on the build up to this, as the mortgage lenders may potentially hold this against you during your mortgage application.

It is also very important to make sure that you don’t go past any overdraft limits and let any direct debits bounce that are in your name. You absolutely need to be prepared ahead of time for this.

You will find that most mortgage lenders will be wanting to see your bank statements, as they like to be certain that you will definitely be able to maintain your monthly mortgage repayments.

Evidence of Deposit

As a first time buyer in Liverpool, you will also be required to prove to the mortgage lender that you also do in fact have the means to afford an initial deposit, keep up all of your payments and be able to evidence that you can do this, for anti-money laundering purposes.

Audit trails can be a little difficult to prove, especially if money has been moved back and forth between different accounts. As such, we would definitely advise keeping this to a minimum, if you are able to, as not to confuse the trail.

In truth, mortgage lenders would likely much rather prefer to see you building up your savings over time. If you have any large amounts going in, make sure you are able to account for those with receipts to evidence where those funds came from.

In recent years, we have found that a large amount of our customers deposits are actually gifted by family members. This is especially a popular choice for first time buyers in Liverpool, as it helps them to take that primary step onto the property ladder.

Gifted deposits will also always need to be evidenced, with the donor, the person who is gifting you the deposit, having a requirement to fill in a form that confirms it is purely a gift, not a loan that they expect you to repay.

Proof of Income

Staying on topic with proof, you will also be required to provide proof of income. If you’re a standard, employed applicant, then this will typically be shown your last 3 months of payslips, with a portion of mortgage lenders out there needing to see your most recent P60.

A mortgage lender may also factor in any regular overtime, shift allowance, bonuses and commission that you have. If you have multiple employers, perhaps you are working a part-time job or are self employed and have contracts, a mortgage lender will sometimes accept your earnings from those as well.

We tend to find that a large amount applicants who are self employed will enquire for expert mortgage advice in Liverpool. If you are self employed in Liverpool and looking to apply for a mortgage, you will need help from your accountant to request your last 2-3 years’ proof of earnings from the revenue.

Our team of dedicated and experienced mortgage advisors in Liverpool have the knowledge to sit and discuss this with you, instructing on how to navigate the online government gateway portal if required to do so.

Budget Planner

It’s always within your best interests to make sure that you are always prepared ahead of time and write down an estimate of what you think your outgoings could look like once you factor in mortgage payments and general running costs.

This will help you work out costs such as council tax and utility bills, as well as anything you regularly spend your money on, such as your food and drinks shopping.

It will also help to give you a generalised estimate of how much disposable income you’ll have available, in order to cover the costs of your monthly mortgage payments.

Getting Prepared For a Mortgage

As you can see from all of the points we have discussed, there can be a lot to think about when preparing for a mortgage, although with the help of a dedicated mortgage advice team in Liverpool, you’ll hopefully be in the best place for taking on the process.

Putting in the effort from the start, staying patient and being careful will hopefully increase the likelihood of you walking out of the mortgage process with your dream property to show for it.

Why Don’t People Overpay their Mortgages in Liverpool?

Unveiled statistics for mortgages and overpayments

Every homeowner, whether a First Time Buyer in Liverpool, Home Mover in Liverpool or going for a Remortgage in Liverpool, should know that overpaying your mortgage can make a significant difference in what you have to pay each month. The earlier you start overpaying, the quicker you can take advantage of it’s benefits.

Homeowners may not always be able to afford such an option. Sometimes life gets in the way. In hindsight overpaying is a great thing to start doing, however, we always find something ‘better’ to spend our money on.

Overpaying your mortgage?

A lot of the time it might just be as simple as remembering to overpay your mortgage. After all, it’s not something that immediately comes to mind when buying a home.

So, if you’re in this situation and are looking to overpay, what should you do? We’d recommend setting up a standing order that is payable to your lender each month. Have it go out alongside all your other payments, so it’s easier to manage.

For example, say your monthly mortgage payment is £450 per month and goes out on the 2nd of each month. You are able to afford an extra £85 per month and are keen to put that towards your mortgage payments. Set up a standing order of £85 to go out to your lender on the 2nd of each month too.

A great benefit here, is your mortgage payments will then total at £535 and because it’s going out as a regular payment, this will become a part of your monthly routine.

Another perk is that whereas a direct debit is controlled by the receiver, standing orders are controlled by the payer. Struggling for funds this month and can’t afford to overpay? Just cancel the direct debit.

Whilst it would be a shame to have to stop overpaying, you at least have the benefits you’ve gained so far. Depending on the lender, you may even be allowed to arrange reduced payments or take a “payment holiday” if you’ve been overpaying over a long period of time. It’s important to check with lenders though if you’re looking to do this, otherwise it could have an adverse affect on your credit report.

Overpaying is a great habit to have but it’s not something you have to do. If you don’t feel the need to, you don’t have to. That being said, knocking off a year or two from your mortgage term will be something definitely worth the effort.

Mortgage Advice on Overpaying Your Mortgage

What is a 95% Mortgage?

As the name would suggest, a 95% mortgage is where you are borrowing against 95% of the property price, paying the remaining 5% with your deposit. An example of this would be if you wanted to buy a property that was worth £150,000 with a 95% mortgage, your minimum deposit would be £7,500 and you would borrow the remaining £142,500 from the lender. 

95% Mortgage Advice in Liverpool

Following on from the March 2021 Budget, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a Mortgage Guarantee Scheme for mortgage lenders, something that would aim to make 95% mortgages more readily available from the high street banks.   

This is very welcome news for First-Time Buyers and Home Movers, as this scheme will remain active until December 2022. Specific terms and conditions will apply, something your Mortgage Advisor in Liverpool will be able to look at with you, to see if you qualify.    

All our customers who Get in Touch with us for Mortgage Advice in Liverpool, will receive a free, no-obligation mortgage consultation. Here, one of our dedicated mortgage advisors will be able to make a recommendation on the most appropriate route for you to take.

Can I get a 95% mortgage?

You will find that 95% mortgages are usually accessible by both First-Time Buyers in Liverpool & those who are Moving Home in Liverpool. The concept of saving for a 5% deposit sounds like a pretty straightforward plan of action, but you’ll still need to have an acceptable credit score and prove to the lender that you are able to afford your monthly mortgage repayments, before you are considered for a 95% mortgage.

Improving your credit score

You’ll need to demonstrate you have a good credit score before you’ll be accepted for any mortgage, especially a 95% mortgage. Handy tips for improving this will include paying any current credit commitments on time, ensuring your addresses are updated and checking that you’re on the voters roll. For a more detailed look at how and why you can help your credit score, please see our How to Improve Your Credit Score article. 

Affordability 

Affordability is something else you should also consider. Providing the lender with enough details of your income and monthly outgoings (things like your bank statements will be necessary for this) and any pre-existing credit commitments will allow them to get a general overview of whether or not you are able to afford a 95% mortgage.

Can my family help me get a 95% mortgage?

It’s a common occurrence these days to see lots of family members helping one another get onto the property ladder, especially with parents looking to further their children’s lives. This normally happens by a family member gifting the person looking to find their home, the deposit required to proceed. Known through the industry as the “Bank of Mum & Dad, Gifted Deposits should only be a gift, and not a loan to be paid back. The lender will need this to be agreed and proven, before it can be used towards your mortgage. 

How do I choose the right 95% mortgage?

You always want to make sure you have the right type of mortgage, especially with something like a 95% mortgage. Each type works in its own way, with that choice allowing you to find one that is most appropriate for your personal and financial circumstances. 

Some homeowners and buyers would rather go with a Fixed Rate or Tracker Mortgage, mortgage types which mean you either keep interest rates at a set amount or have your interest rates following the Bank of England base rates.

Alternatively, you might be more comfortable with the way Interest-Only or a Repayment Mortgages work. Interest-Only allows cheaper payments until you need to pay a lump sum once it reaches its end (mostly now used for Buy-to-Lets), whereas a Repayment mortgage (a normal mortgage if you’d like) means you’ll be paying a combination of both interest and capital per month.

You can read more about each of these mortgage types in our Different Types of Mortgages article, with informative videos for each type.

How can a bigger deposit help with my mortgage? 

A mortgage is a hugely important financial outgoing, and as such you need to be prepared. If you aren’t prepared, you might find yourself more likely to be affected by things like higher interest rates, remortgaging difficulties due to less equity and then negative equity.

This is not something to worry about though, as these problems can be avoided if you’re smart enough with your process initially. The more deposit you put down, the less risk you’ll be to the lender. 

A larger deposit would not only reduce the interest rates by a noticeable amount, but would also give the property more equity and reduce the risk of negative equity, which will be because you are borrowing less against the property. 

So, whilst the risks may seem rather scary at first, planning ahead and saving for a larger deposit to access something like a 90% or even an 85% mortgage will be very beneficial in your mortgage journey and something you’ll be able to reap the rewards from in the future. 

Budget 2021 Mortgage Market Overview

On the 3rd March 2021, we saw Chancellor Rishi Sunak present the Budget. Here we found out lots of great news regarding the property market. We also found out how Rishi Sunak plans to revitalise the mortgage market and the economy. Many people across the nation are beyond happy to hear the news announced. It seems like the end is in sight for the era of the pandemic.

95% mortgages are coming back!

In October 2020, 90% mortgages were finally reintroduced back into the market. Back then, it felt like we wouldn’t see 95% LTV mortgages for a while.

After the announcements made during Rishi Sunak’s 2021 Budget, we were very pleased to find out that 95% are finally making a comeback to the world of mortgages. Before you get excited about this though, you must remember that the name of the scheme is rather misleading to hopeful homebuyers and home movers. Whilst this is indeed good news, not everyone that applies for a house under the scheme is going to be guaranteed a mortgage.

Lenders will continue to assess your credit score as they have been, making sure that you are financially capable of affording a mortgage alongside all of the other financial commitments that you have. A mortgage lender will always try to avoid repossession, unless they genuinely have no choice. Another positive to take from the Budget though is if that happens, then the new government scheme would cover any potential shortfall.

For some time now, homeowners and lenders alike have been concerned about the potential for current home values to dip a little. This measure that has been introduced should help ease these concerns. The chances of negative equity occurring will naturally see a reduction, should we see property prices on the up again.

The Chancellor announced that both First-Time Buyers in Liverpool and Home Movers in Liverpool will have full access to and be able to utilise the 95% Mortgages scheme. This is not just a scheme for New Builds and can be used by anyone.

The new government 95% Mortgage scheme will be available from April 2021 and continue to run until December 2022. According to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, many credible and well-known lenders have already shown their support for the 95% Mortgage scheme.

As a well-known and experienced Mortgage Broker in Liverpool with many years of experience in the industry, we are glad to hear this news and are excited to see which direction the market heads in next.

Stamp duty holiday extension

We didn’t just hear about 95% mortgages making their way back into the market, as it was announced that the Stamp duty holiday has been extended until 31st June 2021.

Back in 2020 when the Stamp Duty Holiday was first presented to the nation, a lot of us didn’t think much to COVID and thought life would carry on as it always had. It would seem that things didn’t quite work out that way. Solicitors have been struggling to keep up with the pressures of their profession and if lots of chains had closed down, then it would have partly defeated the objective of trying to encourage people to undertake Moving Home journeys.

To keep the property market on its feet, and to carry on the process of home purchases, the Government have chosen to extend the current Stamp Duty Holiday. Property purchases up to £500,000 will continue to stay tax-free until 30th June 2021 and property purchases up to £250,000 will also stay tax-free until September 30th 2021.

Current stamp duty rates

• Property Value < £500,000 – no stamp duty
• Property Value £500,001 – £925,000 – 5%
• Property Value £925,001 – £1,500,000 – 10%
• Property Value > £1,500,000 – 12%

Mortgage market update

Now that the market is rising once again and 95% mortgages are going to be making their big return, we’re hoping that this is the sign that we needed that normality is not too far ahead. Of course, it will still be a while before things will truly be normal again, but this is a good place to start for the property market. The Government certainly sees the importance of the property sector, one that can surely play a huge part in our economic recovery.

The government are really pushing for people to transition back into buying over renting, which can be seen by their introduction of the new “mortgage guarantee” scheme. Seeing this news as a dedicated Mortgage Broker in Liverpool creates optimism amongst our workforce and others involved in the sector.

We remain open and here to help with all your mortgage & protection needs. Our open & honest team of mortgage advisors in Liverpool are available 7 days a week, so Get in Touch and we’ll get the ball rolling on your mortgage journey.

Why use a Mortgage Broker in Liverpool

Today we live in an uncertain economic environment. Yet, in a world full of opportunities, therefore we like to be prepared, and when it comes to our finances, there is one thing we all desire: being well informed. 

Are you looking for mortgage advice in Liverpool? 

As a group of experts, we believe that there are some excellent reasons to use a mortgage broker in Liverpool, so here we will talk about both methods’ positives and negatives so that you can make the best well-informed decision. 

We know that there are many mortgages options out there, for example, you can still go directly to the lender, whether via a branch or online. However, we discovered that most people still use a mortgage broker in Liverpool due to the benefits it brings.

Using a Broker instead of a bank

You may not have much experience, but one thing is for sure: We all like to save some money. So, when we think of mortgage advice, one of the options that first comes to mind is to go directly to a Bank or Building Society, so that you won’t have to pay a broker fee. However, that option became unattractive when credit scores came in a few years ago, and people started looking for other alternatives.

Mortgage Products Offered by Lenders

Another of the mortgage products on the market are those offered by lenders that are only available directly. This strategy gets implemented to attract a fair business distribution from consumers and brokers alike. By being exclusive, they can turn on and off these products when they deem it necessary, this method often confuses the market and consumers.

However, from 2014 onwards, lenders were no longer allowed to sell mortgages without professional advice. Many consumers felt that non-advisors had been trying to push solid advice on them, and they weren’t able to benefit from some of the consumer protection. A benefit that accompanies sales conducted by professionally trained mortgage advisors is why most people still use this service.

Because of this, in late 2014, it was not unusual to have to wait more than a month just for an appointment, and it still happens today. Not the best scenario when you’ve just had your offer accepted on the house. So, many began to make their applications through mortgage agents, who assure you professionalism and a mortgage service the same day, like ourselves.

Affordability

Another important point when applying for a mortgage is affordability, no matter how good the deal is if it is not enough money. That is why we believe that a broker is a perfect option. With our mortgage advice in Liverpool.

We can assure you of the best deal and our service when you need it, in a professional and personalized way. When you call us, we try and put you through with a qualified mortgage advisor either immediately or at the very least, within the same day (unless requested otherwise).

We Can Handle Difficult Cases

Applying for a mortgage can sometimes be difficult. Each case is unique, and many reasons can complicate an application. Some examples are:

• Poor credit history.

• Self-employed income.

• Mixed source of deposit (savings/gift).

• Let to Buy (keep your current home and buy another).

• Contract workers / zero-hour contracts.

• Affordability.

In previous years, lenders could stand out from the competition by merely offering a similar deal but better than another lender. In modern times this is very different, with lending criteria being what separates one lender from another.

However, as we mentioned before, when we talk about our well-being and finances, we like to be well informed and consult with experts on the subject. Your situation is unique, and what you need is not a better loan than someone else’s, but a better one for you and one that suits your situation.

We offer a Free Mortgage Consultation

That’s why we think that seeking professional mortgage advice in Liverpool is the best alternative. When you explain your position to an experienced mortgage broker in Liverpool, there is a chance they have come across something a little similar in the past, allowing them to personalize their service and help you through.

With a little luck, professionalism, and much work, your mortgage advisor will be able to recommend the most suitable mortgage for you at the lowest possible rate.

More than that, though, it’s not just about getting the mortgage. Even if the application itself is straightforward, our clients trust our experience and knowledge for more than that. For example, we will discuss how much they will offer for the property they are buying.

Our team of mortgage brokers in Liverpool can recommend other professional services such as solicitors and explain the different types of surveys and protection available to them. 

Responsive service

Another significant advantage of using a mortgage broker is that they tend to be much more responsive than lenders might be. It’s not been unheard of for our team to work late at night, out of hours, working hard on client cases at full speed to ensure service is prompt, but also efficient. Our team is committed to offering our assistance when you need it and how you need it.

Another point that gets overlooked when looking at why clients may prefer a broker is that everyone is very busy. You may be self-employed in Liverpool, a full-time worker, a working mom and you need a mortgage but do not have time to do it, that is where your advisor can take the burden off for you.

Professional applicants especially see the benefits of these as they have clients of their own to charge for their services and appreciate the benefits of having an expert on board.

Personalized service

Technology is taking over, and the future of the mortgage market is no different. Perhaps in the future, we will see lenders who want to compete with the broker’s business. If this happens, they are unlikely to staff-up their branch networks.

Technology is excellent, and it is a service particular for customers who are happy to do business that way, especially for straightforward cases. However, for most people, there is an element of “reality,” a “human touch,” that you can’t get anywhere other than talking to a mortgage counsellor yourself.

The mortgage broker becomes your ally and can provide you with a satisfying experience, a complete service with all the benefits that the client requires and attention that technology cannot offer.

Having said all this, the reasons for hiring a mortgage broker in Liverpool are vast and if you want to ask any questions related to mortgages. Seek or obtain this service from the hand of a professional team adapted to your needs, get in touch, and we’ll put you through with a mortgage advisor in Liverpool as soon as possible.

Do I Have to use my Estate Agent’s in-house Mortgage Advisor in Liverpool?

Estate Agent Mortgage Advice in Liverpool

Before you start your mortgage process, you should consider all of your options. Usually, customers are eager to get the whole thing over with as fast as possible. The most common mistake that customers make is rushing straight to a large estate agent and taking their in-house advice. We advise against this; in all honestly, you can get just as good and if not better advice elsewhere!

If you are a First Time Buyer in Liverpool, we strongly advise that you do your research and look around for external Mortgage Advisors in Liverpool that are more suited for your circumstances. On the other hand, if you do end up using in-house advisors, we have created a list of some sale tactics that estate agents use that you might find useful…

Sales tactics of estate agents

When you use your estate agent’s in-house Mortgage Advisor in Liverpool and their conveyancer, think about this… where has the money come from? The estate agents could be charging you extra on top of your other fees.

When you use a Mortgage Broker in Liverpool, you will get each and every cost broken down for you so that you can see exactly how your money has been spent. If you are unsure about anything whatsoever, it’s easy to ask and your question will be answered honestly. This is the personal touch of a Mortgage Broker in Liverpool.

On the rare occasion (as it’s illegal), estate agents may hold back your mortgage application just because you have used another financial advisor over theirs. For example, you could submit your application through a broker and then they could receive another application through their in-house system but then they could hold yours back to process their application first. Despite submitting your application first, you could end up being backlogged, even if your purchase is worth more than the other application! Remember to note that this is illegal.

If the estate agent is really trying their luck, they may try and charge you over the top in-house conveyancing fees. Even if your purchase is nice and straightforward, they could try and get an extra £1,500+ out of you for no reason. If this happens during your process, you should ask for a breakdown of where these extra costs are coming from.

There are plenty of other ways you can arrange a mortgage without using the estate agent. In this article we’ll cover the ways in which you can do so, helping you decide on who to use for your mortgage and getting the most out of your money.

How can I arrange a mortgage in Liverpool?

Do it yourself online

If you would rather take matters into your own hands and get behind the wheel, you should know that it’s perfectly okay to do that! Everything that your advisor would arrange for you can be done online. Of course, you would be missing out on getting advice from a specialist, however, you would be avoiding the fee for getting the advice in the first place.

By using price comparison websites, you could end up finding yourself a great deal. You may also end up saving money down the line providing that you end up finding the right deal that suits your situation. Once you have your deal, you could end up getting through the process very quickly.

Here are some things to be aware of when switching your mortgage deal online:

• Check that you match the criteria for the “Best Buy” rates before you apply for them. If you are declined, it could leave a negative print on your credit file.
• Make sure that you have researched what sort of mortgage you are looking for and the differences between them.
• If you pick the wrong mortgage deal it can be costly to get this changed. So be careful of valuation and application fees before selecting a deal with minimum research. You should know that these fees will be non-refundable and it will be hard to switch deals without a big cost even if you find a better one.
• If you choose to go at it on your own, you must know that you are responsible for progressing your application to endpoint and you will have to resolve any issues that you come across on your own.
  

Using your bank’s in-house Mortgage Advisor in Liverpool

Yes, it can be easy to make an appointment with your in-house advisor, however, is it your best option? Here are some things to take note of if you choose your in-house advisor:

• Your in-house advisor will not search around for the best deal, they are restricted to their products and their products only. They are also under no obligation to tell you about cheaper deals elsewhere.
• You can swoop up a mortgage appointment in no time, although, their waiting lists can sometimes go up to 6 months.
• Your bank may not have advisors that specialise in specific mortgage areas. This could be a problem if you are in the middle of a sticky mortgage scenario and need specialist help.
  

Using a Mortgage Broker in Liverpool

Sometimes opting to use a Mortgage Broker in Liverpool, especially if you’ve been declined by your bank or are looking to access competitive mortgage rates. A Mortgage Broker has the potential to help you find a great deal, provide a personal service and get things completed quickly.

A Mortgage Broker in Liverpool will charge you for their services, however, they usually offer a free mortgage consultation up until the point where you send off your application.

At Liverpoolmoneyman Mortgage Brokers, we work solely for you and everything is kept strictly between us. We are also not tied to any estate agents, so we are free to access thousands of mortgage deals, it’s just the case of finding the right one for you!

Whether you are a First Time Buyer, Moving Home or looking to Remortgage in Liverpool, you will find our Mortgage Advice service extremely beneficial. As a trusted Mortgage Broker in Liverpool, we will guide you through the home buying process, giving good, honest and unbiased mortgage advice. Get in touch for a free mortgage consultation and we’ll see how we’re able to help you.

Mortgage Advice in Liverpool

Opportunity For Tenants Buying From Landlords In Liverpool

Open & Honest Mortgage Advice in Liverpool

We regularly receive questions from private tenants buying from landlords, often due to some landlords offering first refusal (the opportunity to buy before it hits the open market) to existing tenants. Even if you don’t have this privilege, it might still be an option and it is always worth asking your landlord if they would be willing to offer this to you in the event of a sale.

The government decided to crack down on tax relief previously available on Buy to Let Mortgages. The changes were brought in over a 4-year period and it is only now this has taken effect that they are starting to see the impact of these changes as they receive their tax bills.

Property has been a solid means of income and a worthy investment for landlords over the years. Some landlords opted to ride out the tax changes because they are in it for the long haul, with a lengthy career as a landlord in mind.

However, some landlords were tempted to sell up and move on. There are lots of advantages on their part to selling you the property you currently reside in, which is why many of them took that route. Here are some of those:

Advantages to tenants buying from landlords in Liverpool

• Avoiding estate agents fees – the national average estate agents fee is 1.8% + vat so just by that factor alone, they’re saving a lot of money.
• Loss of rent – it’s actually quite difficult to sell a house with a tenant already living inside. This is because tenants won’t typically put themselves out to do viewings on behalf of their landlord. Because of this, there is a chance that they will just move out, creating a “rental void” where no income is being received. Selling to the tenant guarantees rent will keep coming in right up until completion.
• No refurb costs – if the tenant moves out then the chances are the house will need at least a lick of paint, if not more significant refurbishment to get it ready to put up on the open market. Selling to a tenant means no extra work needs to go into it, as they know the tenant already likes it that way.

There are also advantages for the sitting tenants buying from Landlords in these kind of circumstances. Some are these are:

• You are already very familiar with the property as it is your home, and you are aware of any possible improvements that need work.
• There is no property chain involved, so the sale is less likely to fall through.
• The landlord may offer you a slight discount from the open market value because of the costs they are avoiding.

Experienced Mortgage Advisor in Liverpool

How To Make An Offer On A Property in Liverpool?

How to make an offer on a property?

When you are at the point of being ready to make an offer on a property, it’s important that you put your circumstances across to the seller or estate agent in such a way that gives you the best chance of having your offer accepted. Whether you are a First Time Buyer or Moving Home in Liverpool, it’s always key that you know how to make an offer on a property.

A cash buyer will always have the advantage, though if you have a mortgage agreement in principle in place you will definitely be in a better position than other potential buyers who have yet to get in touch with a Mortgage Broker in Liverpool and get this sorted.

Buying a property is a negotiation process, and so if the seller rejects your initial offer you will be asked whether you want to increase your offer. So don’t be afraid to offer less in the first instance than you are willing to pay for the property you’re interested in.

If your increased offer is also rejected sometimes it just boils down to whether you are willing to pay the asking price, especially if the property in question has just been placed on the market, or whether you are prepared to walk away and find another property to live in.

As part of our dedicated mortgage advice service, we offer you a free initial mortgage consultation. So, please feel free to give us a call if you want to speak to an expert Mortgage Advisor in Liverpool. They will try their best to attend to all of your mortgage needs.

Mortgage Advice in Liverpool