| #ffffff;" /> | | | | reputable lender provides your mortgage, and local |
| Finding your dream home is usually the simplest part of | | | | branches can make your day-to-day banking more |
| the house buying process! Once you see somewhere | | | | convenient. |
| you want to put in an offer for, you’ll want to | | | | Insurance Companies |
| move fast. It helps, therefore, to have your mortgage | | | | Some companies now offer their own range of |
| sorted before you find somewhere you want to buy. | | | | mortgage products, which can give good terms, along |
| You can choose a lender and mortgage, apply for the | | | | with insurance products and investments. Legal and |
| loan and get your mortgage ‘approved on | | | | General are a well-known example. Check that you |
| principle’ before you even start looking for a | | | | are not committed to taking out insurance policies with |
| house. This means that you know what your budget | | | | the lender along with your mortgage. |
| will be and can be fairly certain that your mortgage will | | | | Specialist and Centralised Lenders |
| be accepted. The lender will still want to see the | | | | Generally this type of lender operates from one |
| valuation survey, however, and there may be other | | | | location – you won’t be able to visit a |
| checks that have to be completed before the deal is | | | | local branch, but they may offer lower rates as a |
| closed. | | | | result of having fewer overheads to cover. Virgin |
| While most people used to take out their mortgage | | | | Direct and Mortgage Trust are two lenders who can |
| with a building society or bank, these days there are a | | | | offer particularly flexible mortgages. Telephone and |
| number of other options to consider. Smaller, specialist | | | | internet banking make this kind of borrowing more |
| mortgage providers can offer good deals and are | | | | convenient. |
| sometimes more flexible about terms. | | | | Local authorities |
| Banks and Building Societies | | | | Council house residents may wish to apply to their |
| Since the market has become much more competitive, | | | | local authority for a mortgage. There are also some |
| the larger finance houses have adapted their practice | | | | mortgages available from some authorities for people |
| to become much more flexible with their mortgage | | | | who wish to renovate derelict houses – contact |
| deals. You will have the advantage of knowing that a | | | | your local council for more information. |