By Ann Gibson
Mortgages are easy as long as you understand them
well. But how many borrowers can be confident of their knowledge
of mortgages.
With the list of terms and terminologies related to mortgages growing fastly, it is difficult to keep pace with it. However, the
legal maxim goes as follows – “ignorantia juris non
excusat” (ignorance of law is no excuse). Therefore, it is
necessary to be updated in the field of mortgages.
This will not require a wide knowledge of mortgages. A basic understanding
of the mortgage terms and the impact that every mortgage decision
has on the overall financial condition of the customer will be desirable.
Once the need for mortgage advice is created, it is easy to get
it. There are various articles on the topic. Newspaper clippings,
seminars etc. can be valuable source of information. Friends and
relatives who have taken mortgages too can provide valuable information.
These explain the various terms associated with mortgage in easy
to understand language.
Nevertheless, whether or not the advice given is independent still
needs to be ascertained. Independence of the advice is an important
criterion by which borrowers rate its value. Some sources are just
selling their mortgage products in the guise of independent mortgage
providers. It is important to stay away from these advisors. They
tend to hide the disadvantages of the products while enumerating
its advantages.
Whether the person or any other source offering advice is competent
to provide advice will be the next criterion to judge the usefulness
of the advice. It is advisable to contact independent financial
advisors for all queries related to mortgages. Independent financial
advisors provide advice according to the guidelines of the Financial
Services Authority.
The first thing to understand will be the type of mortgage to be
taken. There are a number of mortgages designed for different purposes.
First time buyer mortgage is for people who are buying home for the first time. Those who
aim to repay the mortgage through house rent can take buy to let
mortgage. Those aiming to provide for their old age take a pension
mortgage. There are many more mortgages to choose from. Customers
must be aware of the uses that each mortgage can be put to, and
their inherent advantages and disadvantages.
Choosing the mode of repayment will be the next to decide. One
can pay outright the principal and interest through a repayment
mortgage, or can choose to pay only the interest through an interest
only mortgage. Few more terminologies like fixed rate, variable
rate and capped rate creep in when the decision regarding the way
interest is to be charged needs to be decided.
The correct mortgage advice is one that is provided after studying
the requirements of the customer and the risk that they would desire
to entail. A mortgage taken without keeping the financial condition
of the borrower will make the repayment difficult. The mortgagee
or the mortgage provider will have to face some difficulty in getting the mortgage
amount with the interest. However, he gets the balance on the mortgage
after liquidation of the assets. The ultimate loser is the borrower.
Hence, the onus of understanding the mortgage process rests on the
borrower.
Summary
Mortgage is an important decision that puts the home at stake. Therefore,
it would be wise to take the mortgage decisions with maximum awareness.
This article enumerates the major concerns when taking mortgage
advice.
Loan borrowing is like once in a life time decision and much is
at stake. It is indeed not a good thing that many people are misguided
into taking loans that are not appropriate to their financial situation.
This leads to many allied misgivings.
Article source: www.loanarticles.co.uk
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