Low Deposit Mortgages For First-time Buyers
Gathering a sufficient deposit is a big challenge every first-time buyer faces along the way of property ownership. Many mortgage borrowers start saving up for a decent deposit well in advance before making their mortgage applications.
If you are a first-time buyer looking to climb the property ladder with a low deposit it is advisable to seek help from a fee-free mortgage advisor to secure a suitable mortgage deal.
Let us look at what is a low-deposit mortgage, or a deposit-free mortgage is for first-time buyers.
What is a Mortgage Deposit?
A Mortgage deposit is the amount you pay towards the property purchase as your share. The amount you borrow plus the deposit makes the full purchase price.
In almost all cases, paying the deposit is mandatory to purchase a property on a mortgage. Most lenders ask for around 5% of the property’s price as a deposit. However, you can always pay a greater deposit to get a better mortgage rate. Higher deposits improve your LTV (loan-to-value)
Can You Get a Mortgage with No Deposit or a Low Deposit?
Yes, it is possible to get a mortgage with no deposit or a low deposit of 1%. A deposit-free mortgage or a low deposit mortgage lets you borrow the entire amount or the maximum amount you need to purchase the concerned property.
What are Low Deposit Mortgage Available?
100% LTV Mortgage.
If you are planning to buy a property worth £300,000, your mortgage will also amount to £300,000. Such mortgage deals are also called 100% LTV mortgages.
Getting a deposit-free mortgage in the UK is rare. Most mortgage deals without deposits disappeared after the financial crisis of 2007 – 08. However, since May 2023, Skipton Building Society have been offering such mortgages to first-time buyers renting at the moment called a tracked record mortgage.
You will need to show proof of making monthly rent and bills payments on time at least twelve consecutive months. With this deposit-free mortgage deal, you can borrow 4.49x your salary with the property price not exceeding £600,000.
These mortgages come with a maximum term of 35 years. If you do not miss any payments, your mortgage should be fully repaid by the end of the 35th year. Seek local or online mortgage advice before you apply for a 100% LTV mortgage.
5K Deposit Mortgage?
Recently, Accord mortgages’ lender announced a 5K deposit mortgage or a 1% deposit mortgage for first-time buyers.
These mortgages come with maximum term of 40 years with minimum purchase price of £100,000 to £500,000. The minimum amount of deposit required is £5K which can be a maximum of 99% loan to value. These mortgages are not available for any new build or flats.
95% LTV Mortgage
This mortgage requires a minimum deposit of 5% of the purchase price. For example, for a property price of £300,000 you will need £15,000 as a 5% deposit which will make the loan to value 95%.
How do I Get a Low Deposit Mortgage?
- The first step towards getting your low deposit mortgage is to get the paperwork ready, like all of the income proof, Bank statements, and so on.
- Know your credit scoring . Low deposit mortgages require higher credit scores. You can download a credit report for your monthly charges from check my file.
- Work with an expert mortgage broker firm like MariannaFS who offer no fee mortgage advice, personally tailored to your circumstances. Mortgage brokers like Marianna FS can improve your chances of approval by using their ample expertise in the field.
Should You Buy a Property on a Mortgage with a Low Deposit?
There is no objective take on this matter. Whether you should buy a property with a low deposit or continue to rent it will depend on your specific circumstances and requirements.
Let’s have a quick look at the pros and cons of buying properties on a low deposit mortgage.
Pros of a Low Deposit Mortgage
Rapid Ownership
When you plan on getting a low-deposit mortgage, you don’t need to spend a lot of time saving up for a larger deposit. This helps you buy a property faster with a lower deposit compared to the time taken to save for a higher deposit.
Ideal for First-Time Buyers
If you are a first-time buyer getting on the property ladder, you are likely to struggle while saving up for a large deposit . A low-deposit mortgage can be an ideal entry for you onto the property ladder without having to cough up a lot of funds.
Cons of a low deposit mortgage
High Mortgage Debt
Getting a low deposit mortgage increases your overall mortgage debt. When you pay a greater deposit, it takes away that amount from the mortgage you need to repay. While low deposit deals may give you initial relief, they also may increase your mortgage term as you will repay a greater debt.
Higher Lender Risk
When you pay less in deposit, you increase the overall mortgage loan a lender gives. This also increases the risk associated with the deal from the lender’s end. Getting a low deposit mortgage may encourage lenders to make their lending terms stricter. Higher deposits, on the other hand, make you eligible for better interest rates and more convenient terms.
Restricted Choice of Mortgage Deals
If you opt for a low-deposit mortgage, you are likely to have fewer options to choose from. Not all lenders offer low deposit mortgage which are best for you and you may need to settle for deals that are not very well suited for your circumstances.
However, working with an experienced mortgage broker can help you obtain a suitable deal that fits your requirements like a glove.
Options to Consider While Buying with a Low Deposit Mortgage.
Some of the alternatives to think of if you want to buy a property with a low deposit mortgage.
Guarantor Mortgage
A guarantor mortgage is an ideal option for a first-time buyer looking for a low-deposit mortgage deal. As the name suggests, this is a mortgage where someone (usually a family member) assures the lender by covering any mortgage repayments missed by the borrower.
As these mortgages help lenders manage their risks, borrowers can get said mortgages at better interest rates and lower deposits.
Gifted Deposit
As the name suggests, a gifted deposit is an arrangement where your mortgage deposit is fully or partially funded by someone (usually a close family member or friend ). Some lenders do allow non-family member gifted deposits and some don’t.
Springboard Mortgage
Instead of putting down the deposit, a springboard mortgage allows your family member to keep money in an account with the lender and if you make the mortgage payments on time, your family get their money back adding the interest after 3 years.
Speak to Our Mortgage Experts to Get Your Low-Deposit Mortgage.
