Buyers' Property Problems Series - Article Four - I Can't Get a Mortgage

There are usually two reasons for not being able toWhile the credit crunch continues to exist, it is much
get a mortgage. The first is you may not have enoughmore difficult to find 90% or 95% mortgages and this
deposit for lenders to be sure the property can betrend is likely to continue through 2009. Ideally, it's worth
bought without any loss to them, and secondly, youusing this time to save as much as you can for a
either don't have the income to support the mortgagebigger deposit or find someone else that will buy a
you want or have a difficult credit history which canproperty with you who can help raise the deposit or it's
put lenders off.that time to speak very nicely to your mum and dad!
Deposit Not High EnoughNot Enough Income
Typically financial institutions offered mortgages up toThe only real way of securing a bigger mortgage is to
95% of a property's value. Prior to the credit crunch,find more income. You could do this by seeing if there
some mortgages were offered at over 95% but thisare extra hours you could do at work, or if you could
has caused problems for many buyers as prices haveget a better paid job, or if your partner could work if
now fallen below the amount they have borrowed.they don't already. However, it may be better to
During the credit crunch, the best mortgage offerspurchase a property you can afford now that you can
were saved for those with 25% or more equity in theirbuild onto in the future when you can afford to.
property as they are seen as a 'safer' bet. So if youBad Credit History
have more than a 25% deposit, then you are likely toAlways search as many mortgage offers as you can
be able to secure mortgages at a good rates.and seek help from someone that offers completely
However, if you have less than a 25% deposit,independent financial advice. However, make sure that
unfortunately you are seen as a greater risk andanyone who advises you is fully qualified and that they
lenders will now charge you higher rates and higherare licenced of the Financial Services Authority.
fees to secure a mortgage. In some cases you willFor more information on mortgages, visit our buying a
also be charged for a mortgage indemnity too. This ishome section where you can download our Buying a
an insurance that you have to pay for, but it actuallyProperty eBook.
protects the lender if you default on your mortgage.