Happy New Year!!

On behalf of all the team at Bristol Mortgages Online and Exeter Mortgages Online, we would like to wish you a Happy New Year!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our clients old and new, for their business in 2016. We very much appreciate all the referrals, recommendations and the loyalty that our clients show, many returning to us time and time again, plus all the fantastic reviews we receive are great-thank you again!
We have so much to look forward to in 2017.... more information to follow soon!
We wish you, your family and friends a very Happy and Healthy 2017!!
We are open our normal hours from 8.30 am until 7.30 pm from Tuesday 3rd January.

Wishing You a Merry Christmas!

On behalf of all the team at Bristol Mortgages Online and Exeter Mortgages Online, we would like to wish you very Merry Christmas.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our clients old and new, for their business in 2016. We very much appreciate all the referrals, recommendations and the loyalty that our clients show, many returning to us time and time again, plus all the fantastic reviews we receive are great-thank you again!

We have so much to look forward to in 2017. Jon Ley, one of our Mortgage Administration team will be joining our Advisers to offer Mortgage Advice from January. We also have a new Lead Adviser who will be joining us in February to run our Exeter business. However, the even more exciting news is that we are opening our third branch in Bath! We anticipate that Bath Mortgages Online, will be open for business in February…more information to follow soon.

We wish you, your family and friends a very Happy and Heathy 2017!!

Our Christmas and New Year Opening Hours are as follows

Christmas Eve                  Closed

Christmas Day                 Closed

Boxing Day                       Closed

Monday 27^th Dec             Closed

Tuesday 28^th Dec             10:00 am–4:00 pm

Wednesday 29^th Dec      10:00 am–4:00 pm

Thursday 30^th Dec           10:00 am–4:00 pm

Friday 31st Dec                10:00 am–4:00 pm

New Year’s Day               Closed

Monday 2^nd January       Closed

Bath Mortgages Online Coming Soon!!

We are delighted to officially announce that we will be launching Bath Mortgages Online in 2017!

Based in the Centre of Bath we will be open for business early in the New Year.

More information and a new website to follow soon….

Let Us Help You to Become a Buy to Let Landlord

Both Bristol and Exeter Mortgages Online have excellent arrangements with many specialist Buy to Let lenders that are often only accessible through Independent Mortgage Brokers like ourselves.
 We can help you from the very beginning to become a Buy to Let Investor, plus we can recommend experts that we work closely with.

We will help you to:

• Find the best Buy to Let Mortgage
• Arrange for you to meet specialist Accountants for setting up your business and tax advice.
• Recommend experienced, professional and good value Solicitors for conveyancing.
• Put you in touch with Brokers for Landlord and other Insurance products.
• Help you source Investment Properties throughout the UK.

This will all start with a Free Consultation with one of our Expert Mortgage Advisers.
What is a Buy-to-Let property investment?
Buy-to-let investment is very different from owning your own home. When you become a landlord, you are effectively running a small business – one with important legal responsibilities.
Is a Buy to Let Investment Right for Me?
A buy-to-let property investment may be right for you if you:

• Prefer investments that feel more tangible than stocks and shares
• Are willing to tie up your money for a long period
• Understand property prices can go down as well as up
• Are willing to take the risk that you may not earn a profit on your investment
• Understand and accept the costs and time involved in owning and running a property and the impact that this will have on your potential return

We always recommend that you take specialist advice from a qualified Accountant. We have a number of specialist partner Accountancy practices that we work closely with, who will offer you advice at referential rates. The kinds of consumer protection that cover most other investments don’t apply to buy-to-let properties. So, it is even more important to find out everything you can before you commit to a property and a mortgage.
For more information please click the link and download our free Let Us Help You Become a Buy to Let Landlord guide
You can also visit our Buy to Let pages
 https://www.bristolmortgagesonline.com/buy-to-let
https://www.exetermortgagesonline.com/buy-to-let

Autumn Statement 2016

The link below will take you to the official Government website for full details of today's Autumn Statement.
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/autumn-statement-2016

If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised, please call one of our experts on 0117 325 1511 or 01392 690 888

Our 60th 5-star Google Review

We are really proud to have received our 60th Google 5-star Review this week!!
We  are very grateful for  all the kind and positive comments we receive from our clients.
Our Advisers and Administration team work really hard and it's lovely to know they are appreciated.

Please click here to see our reviews, or click on the google review logo at the top of any page at www.bristolmortgagesonline.com

www.exetermortgagesonline.com
www.swmortgages.com

Keep Calm and Listen to Phil!

Our MD, Phil Clark, was kindly invited to one of his client's  House Warming party at the weekend.
They were so delighted with the mortgage advice that Phil gave them, that they had these mugs made specially for him!

All of us based in the Henleaze House office thought that they were brilliant!!

Caz BS

Help to Buy Scheme Update from Zoopla

The team at Zoopla have produced is a very detailed and clear update on the Help to Buy Scheme.

Please visit http://www.zoopla.co.uk/help-to-buy/ to read the full article.

There are to main options one of which is ending on 31 December 2016

Help to Buy Equity Loan

Under the Equity Loan part of Help to Buy, first-time buyers and home-movers only need to find a deposit of 5% of the property’s value. The Government will then provide an equity loan of a further 20%, meaning you’ll only need to qualify for a 75% mortgage.

Help to Buy Equity Loan is available in England until 2020 on new-build homes worth £600,000 or less.

Help to Buy Mortgage Guarantee

The Mortgage Guarantee version of Help to Buy requires first-time buyers and home-movers to find a deposit of between 5% and 20% of the property's value.

But instead of a loan, the Government provides a guarantee to the mortgage lender of 15% of the property value. The idea is that, with the extra security, the rate charged on your mortgage will be lower.

Help to Buy Mortgage Guarantee is available throughout the UK until 31 December, 2016. It is available on both new-build and existing homes worth £600,000 or less.

For further details about how we can help you with all your First Time Buyer requirements, please visit

https://www.bristolmortgagesonline.com/first-time-buyers for Bristol First Time Buyers

https://www.exetermortgagesonline.com/first-time-buyers for Exeter and Devon First Time Buyers

Call us today on 0117 325 1511 for your Free Consultation. Let Us Help You get an Agreement in Principle, so you can then go and put an offer in on the property of your dreams!

British Legion Poppy Appeal 2016

Bristol & Exeter Mortgages Online are proud to support the British Legion Poppy Appeal 2016.
Please visit their website to donate.
http://www.britishlegion.org.uk 

Are You looking for a better mortgage deal? Time to Remortgage!

Remortgaging means moving your mortgage from one lender to another to get yourself a better deal. And you don't even have to move house to do it. 

There are many reasons why remortgaging could make sense for you: 

• You just want a better deal with a lower interest rate. 
• You need a more flexible deal with additional payment options.
• You've come to the end of your initial Fixed Term deal. 
• You want to consolidate or rearrange all your finances. 
• You want to save money on your monthly repayments. 
• You want to borrow more to use the money for a project or home improvements. 
• You want to use some of the equity in your home rather than take out an additional loan. 
• Your current mortgage no longer suits your needs. 
• You have inherited some money and wish to reduce the amount you have borrowed. 
• Your credit rating has improved so you may get a better deal.

Why use Bristol Mortgages Online or Exeter Mortgages Online?

·       As a fully Independent Mortgage Broker we work for YOU and not any lenders.

·       We find the best mortgage to suit your specific needs.

·       We have access to hundreds of lenders and mortgage deals that are not on Comparison sites

·       We deal with lenders that only go through Independent Mortgage Brokers like us.

·       Our expert Advisers will meet with you on a face to face basis and our Admin team will help you all the way through to completion.

For more information please visit https://www.bristolmortgagesonline.com/remortgages  and book a free consultation with us today.

Think carefully before securing other debts against your home.

You may have to pay an early repayment charge to your existing lender if you remortgage.

Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

Welcome Baby Collins!

All the team at Bristol & Exeter Mortgages Online would like to say a massive “Congratulations” to Paul and Rebecca who celebrated the birth of their beautiful baby boy last month!

This is our first “Bristol Mortgages Baby” and we think Zachary is gorgeous. Proud Dad, Paul Collins, joined us in April as a Mortgage Adviser based at our Henleaze House Office.

We love this family photo!

Expert help to get the best Expat Mortgages in the UK

We have specialist Advisers working with our clients, from all over the World, to find the most competitive and flexible Expat Mortgage deals.

We have access to a wide choice of lenders offering accommodating and realistic lending criteria, as well as great rates and terms, particularly for investors.

We also work closely with a number of specialist Agents and Developers, who can offer you some very attractive investment opportunities, as well as residential properties for those looking for a new home. So we can help you find a property as well as fund it!

We offer:

·       Specialist Expat Mortgage Advisers

·       Close working relationships with the top 8 Expat lenders in the UK

·       Owner/Occupier Mortgages

·       Excellent Buy to Let deals

·       Flexible Terms and deposits

·       Administration support from application through to completion

·       Partnerships for Conveyancing, Property Investment and other Expat Financial matters.

Owner Occupier Mortgages

 If you are moving to the UK or want a UK base whilst you are still overseas, we can help.  Whatever your situation or budget and wherever you are in the world, we can help you fund and secure your new home with professional advice and great support from your first quote through to completion.

We can source the best available owner/occupier deal for your budget, situation and investment strategy. If you are looking to purchase in the UK, having a professional in your corner can simplify the process and increase the profitability of your asset whilst also saving you time.

We deal with the top Expat Mortgage lenders in the UK all of which have an in-depth knowledge of the market. We work closely with the lenders and conveyancing teams both here and abroad to ensure that we will make the process as simple and as stress-frees as possible for our clients.

 Buy to Let Investment Mortgages

We can source the best available buy-to-let mortgage deal for your budget, situation and investment strategy. If you are looking to invest in the UK property market, having a professional in your corner can simplify the process and increase the profitability of your asset whilst also saving you time.

We can offer a range of different loan to value(LTV) criteria, mortgages for employed, self-employed, contractor contracts and even retired clients (subject to income).  We have a variety of products that we can access to suit a whole range of deposits, rental yield calculations and terms.

Please visit www.bristolmortgagesonline.com/expat-mortgages for more information

Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate some aspects of buy to let mortgages.

Let Us Help you with your Mortgage and through the House Buying Process.

Getting the best mortgage deal to suit your specific needs and going through the house buying process as smoothly and with as little stress as possible is easy if you know how.  It is particularly daunting if you are a First Time Buyer, buying a property at Auction, have an Adverse Credit history or a have a complex financial situation to work through.

We have introduced a Useful information section to our website to give you as much help, support and guidance as possible

This page includes links to free downloads and guides as part of our “Let Us Help You” service.

These free guides include

·       Why Choose a Mortgage Broker?

·       Understanding the Mortgage and House Buying Process

·       The best way to Making an offer on a property

·       Arranging Conveyancing

·       Arranging a Survey

·       Help with Buying at Auction

·       The Help to Buy Scheme

·       Understanding more about Stamp Duty

And last but definitely not least 

Let Us Arrange your Protection and Insurance which is guide to getting the correct Life Insurance, Critical Illness cover and other protection products.

Please visit https://www.bristolmortgagesonline.com/useful-informationhttps://www.bristolmortgagesonline.com/let-us-help-you-with-your-mortgage-and-through-the-house-buying-process for more information and then call us on 0117 325 1511 or email info@swmortgages.com for your free consultation.

Opportunity for Lead Mortgage Adviser in Exeter/Devon Region

We have an Extraordinary Opportunity for an Extraordinary Mortgage Adviser at our Exeter branch

The SW Mortgages Group of businesses is part of Worldwide Investment Corporation Limited and currently includes Bristol Mortgages Online and Exeter Mortgages Online with current expansion plans for the South Coast, Southampton, Cheltenham and Bath.

We are offering a unique working environment for an experienced Self-Employed Mortgage Broker to be our Lead Adviser covering the Exeter and Devon area on an immediate basis.

We offer:

• ·       Qualified Leads
• ·       No cold-calling
• ·       Leads through Google/Adwords and Unbiased provided.
• ·       Existing business in need of a Senior /Lead Adviser
• ·       Full Administration support based in Bristol.
• ·       Full Protection support.
• ·       Industry leading software packages.
• ·       Online and Media based marketing support.
• ·       Full Management support
• ·       A friendly yet focused working environment
• ·       Uncapped commission based on a 50/50 split
• ·       Head Office support based in Bristol.
• ·       Choice of working from home or from our office in Topsham.
• ·       A fully contracted offer.
• ·       A team-based approach.
• ·       Earning Potential of £50K p.a in first year, £75-100K + thereafter.

We want someone who can say Yes” to all of the following

• ·       Is a professionally qualified Mortgage Adviser, Mortgage Broker
• ·       Qualification minimum requirement CeMap
• ·       Must be experienced and qualified to sell Life and Critical Illness cover.
• ·       At least 5 years’ experience in giving top level mortgage advice.
• ·       Knowledge of the Devon/Somerset market.
• ·       Has a fully compliant approach.
• ·       Must be qualified to write Life and Critical Illness Protection
• ·       Has experience with a proven track record with both residential and investment clients.
• ·       Excellent customer – focused approach.
• ·       Will “go the extra mile” for our clients.
• ·       A good team player although self-employed.
• ·       Hardworking and committed to success.
• ·       Well-presented and smart, yet friendly & approachable.
• ·       Someone who is looking for a long term partnership with us.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Caz Blake-Symes email info@swmortgages.com

For more information about our businesses please visit

www.bristolmortgagesonline.com

 www.exetermortgagesonline.com

www.swmortgages.com

Let us help you if you have an Adverse Credit History…

A poor credit rating can be a major barrier to getting a mortgage, but the good news is, there are lenders who
are prepared to help those whose applications may be refused elsewhere. It might not seem fair but even having
a big deposit in place and a decent salary isn’t enough to guarantee you a mortgage. If you have a bad credit
score, then your application is likely to be refused. Banks and building societies are cautious about who they
lend to, so they always check credit reports carefully to see if potential mortgage customers have defaulted on
any debt payments in the past. They will also look for any County Court Judgments (CCJs) against you, or if you
have ever filed for bankruptcy. In any of these scenarios apply, the chances are you won’t be eligible for most
mortgage deals – even if your financial problems occurred a long time ago.

There are some mortgages however, which are specifically designed for those whose credit history is far from
perfect. These are often known as ‘sub-prime’ mortgages or ‘adverse credit’ mortgages, and are generally
offered by lenders specialising in this market.
If you think you may have a poor credit history or an adverse credit rating, you can obtain a free credit report
from one of the following.
www.experian.co.uk
www.equifax.co.uk
www.clearscore.com
www.noddle.co.uk 
Once you have your report, email it to us at info@swmortgages.com giving details of the type of mortgage you
require and your personal circumstances, and one of our specialist advisers will be in contact to discuss your
specific situation.
For more information about anything relating to your house purchase or move, your mortgage or protection or
insurance, please get in touch with your Adviser or
Email: info@swmortgages.com 
Call: Bristol office 0117 325 1511 or Exeter office 01392 690 888

What can be Bridging Finance be used for?

Bridging loans are only an option worth considering in specific financial circumstances whether you are a professional or private borrower. However, as Bridging Loans are generally provided by specialist companies all manner of situations can be considered and catered for.

Common uses for bridging loans include:

• Securing a house purchase until your existing property is sold

• Covering a break in a property chain so you can buy a new home while waiting for a mortgage

• Completing a building project, if the next tranche of your self-build mortgage is not released until stage-completion

• Renovation and redevelopment; altering an existing property structurally or cosmetically with a view to resale or refinance

• Buying a property at auction

• Funding a new business venture e.g. buying time to raise money internally and/or generate investment

• Business invoice finance to help with cash flow while you're waiting for money to come through

• Paying for work to be completed so a mortgage can be agreed; for instance, if your mortgage offer is contingent on some basic work being carried out to make it habitable

• Divorce settlement

• Lease extension

• Refinancing an existing bridging loan

Whatever your reason for considering a bridging loan it is essential that you have a clear 'exit strategy' for paying the loan back. Bridging loans from UK lenders are generally only available on properties, land or businesses based in the UK.

For further information, please visit the  Bridging Loan Section of our website or Contact Us for a free consultation about the funding options we can off

Why you should use a mortgage broker to secure the best deal.

This article is from www.telegraph.co.uk/financial-services/  April 2016

With hundreds of different mortgages to choose from, hunting out the best deal to suit your needs can feel a bit like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

Access to more mortgages

If you aren't sure which type of home loan is likely to be right for you, it's a good idea to talk through all the available options with an independent mortgage broker.  They will be able to research the whole market on your behalf, rather than you having to trawl around numerous different lenders.

A spokesman for financial website Moneyfacts.co.uk said:  “An independent mortgage broker will look for the best mortgage for you. They aren't on the lender's side, they're on yours, and they'll give you access to far more products than if you went direct. You'll get unbiased advice and could choose from a range of lenders and subsequent products, rather than being restricted to the single range of the lender you go to. They also know the background criteria that a lender has and can bring this experience to bear when advising you and processing your application.

Greater buying power to secure the best mortgage deals

“Then there's the fact that, because a mortgage broker may put a lot of business to a particular lender in a year, they can exert influence and chase things in a way you just can't do by yourself – and that can be invaluable should things get held up.”

When you speak to a broker, they will start by asking you about your individual circumstances, including your income, how much you want to borrow and over what term, and how much of a deposit you have to put down.

They will then to talk you through the various deals you are eligible for, and can explain how the different types of mortgage work.

Once you’ve narrowed your choice of mortgage down, your broker will let you know the monthly costs, as well as any arrangement fees you will have to pay. They will then be able to help you with the application process, and answer any questions you might have, such as how long it will typically take for your mortgage to be processed.

Please visit our website at www.bristolmortgagesonline.com and Contact Us

How does Let to Buy work?

If you want to move house but you are struggling to sell your current home or your property has dropped in value, Let to Buy is something you may want to consider. Letting out your property could allow you to move into a new home without feeling pressure to sell in a rush and potentially at a loss.

If you own enough of the equity in your property, you could remortgage and release some cash to put down a deposit on a new home. You would then let out your existing property and use the rental income to cover the cost of the mortgage. This in turn will free you up to take out a mortgage for a new home and cover the repayments with your salary or other sources of income.

Mortgages if you want to Let to buy

Although some lenders will allow you to let out your home on a residential mortgage, this will normally only be on a temporary basis. So unless you are only going to be letting it out for a short time, it is likely you will need a Buy to Let mortgage.

Buy to Let mortgages are similar to residential loans, but there are some differences which our expert Advisers will be happy to talk you through.

Lenders will also want to see evidence that your rental income will comfortably cover your mortgage repayments. Being a landlord is not right for everyone, and entering into a Let to Buy arrangement should not be taken lightly. But if you are confident that you will get a decent rental income and can manage the responsibilities of letting out a property, this is a very worthwhile option.

Let to Buy can be an option for those who want to purchase a new home whilst keeping hold of their current property and letting it out. As someone looking to buy a new property, it can allow you to release some equity from your current home and put it down as a deposit on your new one.

Let to Buy is also a popular choice for couples who move in together later in life, perhaps once they both already have their own properties. In this case, you might both move into one of the properties and rent the other one out on a Let to Buy mortgage.

For more information about Let to Buy or Buy to Let, please click on the links to our website.

Please Contact Us today for a free consultation to discuss either Let to Buy or Buy to Let

What is a Second Charge Mortgage?

Second charge mortgages or second loans are often referred to as “second mortgages” because they have secondary priority behind your main (or first charge) mortgage. They are a secured loan, which means they use the borrower’s home as security. Many people use them as a way to raise money instead of remortgaging, but there are some things you need to be aware of before you apply.

• You must be a homeowner to get a second mortgage, although you do not necessarily need to live in the property.

• A second charge mortgage allows you to use any equity you have in your home as security against another loan. It means you will essentially have two mortgages on your home.

• A second charge mortgage can be a loan of anything from £1,000 upwards.

• Lenders now have to comply with stricter UK and EU rules governing mortgage advice, affordable lending and dealing with payment difficulties. This means that lenders now have to make the same affordability checks and ‘stress test’ the borrower’s financial circumstances as an applicant for a main or first charge residential mortgage.

• Borrowers will now have to provide evidence that they can afford to pay back this loan.

Our expert Advisers will be able to help you regarding what an affordability assessment might involve, and the evidence you may be required to provide to support your second mortgage application. Call us on 0117 325 1511

For further information, please visit www.bristolmortgagesonline.com/second-charge-mortgages

Why Remortgage?

Remortgaging means moving your mortgage from one lender to another to get yourself a better deal. And you don't even have to move house to do it.

There are many reasons why remortgaging could make sense for you:

•            You just want a better deal with a lower interest rate.

•            You need a more flexible deal with additional payment options.

•            You've come to the end of your initial Fixed Term deal.

•            You want to consolidate or rearrange all your finances.

•            You want to save money on your monthly repayments.

•            You want to borrow more to use the money for a project or home improvements.

•            You want to use some of the equity in your home rather than take out an additional loan.

•            Your current mortgage no longer suits your needs.

•            You have inherited some money and wish to reduce the amount you have borrowed.

•            Your credit rating has improved so you may get a better deal.

Think carefully before securing other debts against your home.

You may have to pay an early repayment charge to your existing lender if you remortgage.

UK interest rate cut: how it will affect you?

UK interest rate cut: how it will affect you?

Adapted from an article by Hilary Osborne from the Guardian 4th August 2016

The Bank of England has cut interest rates, taking the base rate to a new low of 0.25%. This is the first cut since March 2009, and how welcome it is will depend on your financial situation. The Bank also announced a new round of quantitative easing (QE) – pumping money into the economy to buy government bonds.

What does the cut mean for mortgages?

For anyone with a fixed-rate mortgage, it does not mean anything. But if any of your borrowing is on a variable rate then it’s likely to be good news.

The 1.5 million borrowers with mortgages that track the base rate will see their monthly repayments fall, probably from the start of September. For a homeowner on the average variable mortgage rate of 2.86% and a mortgage of £150,000, a reduction in line with the base rate will mean monthly repayments falling by £19.68 to £687.

Message from Phil Clark at Bristol Mortgages Online:

If you are looking for a First Time Buyer deal, a Home Buyer Mortgage or to Remortgage and cannot decide between a fixed rate or tracker mortgage, call us today on 0117 325 1511 for a free consultation with one of our expert Advisers.