Let Us Help You Improve Your Chances of Getting a Mortgage

Caz Blake-Symes • November 2, 2018

Top Tips 6,7 and 8

Here at Bristol, Bath and Exeter Mortgages Online, we understand that getting your first mortgage, or even a remortgage, especially if your circumstances have changed, may look like an impossible task, but we are here to help.

We hold your hand from your initial enquiry through to the completion of your purchase. It's not that tricky and there are ways you can improve your odds and boost your chances of a successful mortgage application.

We’ll help you to be as attractive as possible to lenders if you want to get the best mortgage deal. Here are some top tips on how to boost your chances of getting the deal you want, adapted from moneysavingexpert

Tip #6 Carefully manage your available credit

This is all about how much credit you have available to spend on credit cards and overdrafts. It's the difference between your combined debit balances on your cards and bank accounts and your combined credit limits/overdraft limit.

You need to strike a balance between not having too much - as lenders may think you could rack up more debt by spending it all - and not getting too close to your limits, which makes it seem you're at the edge of your finances.

Credit agency Experian says that if you have debts, lenders prefer that they make up less than half your available credit. So, if you've a combined limit of £10,000, they'd rather you use less than £5,000 of it.

If you are using a decent proportion of your available credit, avoid lowering your limits so you're suddenly close to the edge. Similarly, don't have tens of thousands of pounds of available credit unnecessarily - new lenders get twitchy that you could suddenly be far more indebted than you currently are.

This is an art, not a science, and all lenders' views of how much credit you 'should' have differ. Try to stay below 50% in all cases. Of course, if you can pay off debt, you should do so.

How we will help you: We will complete the necessary affordability forms with you so that you are clear from the outset about all income and expenses that a potential lender will consider. We will also ensure that you have a clear understanding of all repayments and costs involved.

Tip #7 Close old, inactive accounts or they can kill your application

If you're not using an account, it may be worth closing it. Leaving it open could not only be a fraud risk but could also mean some of your details may need to be updated.

However, if applying for a mortgage, longer, stable credit relationships are a positive. So, if you've two credit cards, one recently opened and an older one, it's probably not worth closing the older one before the mortgage application as you could lose the credit score boost it gives you. If you are closing an account, just cutting up the card isn't good enough - you must tell the bank you want it closed.

How we will help you: When preparing all the documentation that you will need us to submit, include all accounts and details of all open accounts/cards etc., even if they are not in use, this will help us progress your mortgage more quickly and smoothly.

Tip #8 Want a mortgage? ALWAYS pay ALL your bills on time

It's obvious - so do it.

All missed payments count against you on your credit file, so it's vital to keep up all repayments on ALL your outgoings. Defaults count against you for at least a year, and they'll stay on your file for the next six years. Miss just one mobile phone payment and it could be the difference between getting a mortgage and not.

Set up a direct debit on all accounts to make sure payments are made on time.

How we will help you: We are often dealing with clients months ahead of a purchase or move, so it is important to keep all payments up to date during that period so there is no change or interruption to your application.

Useful Information Guides

Each of our websites as a section full of free, useful and informative information to download.

www.bristolmortgagesonline.com/useful-information , www.bathmortgagesonline.com/useful-information

Whether you are a First Time Buyer or moving house, looking to remortgage or buying an investment property, we would be delighted to get you a great deal on your mortgage. For more information or to book your FREE CONSULTATION please visit one of our websites or contact us

www.bristolmortgagesonline.com 0117 325 1511

www.bathmortgagesonline.com 01275 584 888

www.exetermortgagesonline.com 01392 690 888

email info@swmortgages.com

#bristolmortgagebroker

#bathmortgagebroker

#greatmortgage

#lowinterestmortgage

#fixedratemortgage

#expertmortgageadvice

#freeconsultation

#bestmortgagedeals

#gettingagreatmortgage

#findmethebestmortgage

#bestmortgageadvise

#remortgage

#firsttimebuyer

#movinghouse

#adversecredit


PHIL CLARIN FRONT OF BANNER
By Caz Blake-Symes June 13, 2025
We are thrilled to be celebrating our 17th Anniversary this week. Phillip Clark founded Bristol Mortgages Online in 2008.
areial view of houaes
By Caz Blake-Symes June 5, 2025
Lower mortgage rates are supporting more house sales against a backdrop of modest house price inflation. Zoopla’s House Price Index tracks key trends in the UK housing market - here’s the latest news in May 2025.
By Caz Blake-Symes May 29, 2025
This Edition Includes.. Helping Your Family Onto The Property Ladder What will happen to Interest Rates This Year? Easing Stress Testing? Looking to Remortgage? Getting a Mortgage with Adverse Credit Plus lots more…
By Caz Blake-Symes May 17, 2025
Mortgage rates are likely to stay in the 4-5% range this year while changes to affordability testing by lenders could give buyers a boost.
By Caz Blake-Symes May 12, 2025
Sky high house prices, high cost of living, student loans and rising rent costs mean that getting on the property ladder is challenging. But the desire to own a home remains strong for many young adults. Now, the affectionately known ‘bank of mum and dad’ (or bank of other family members) may wish to lend or give money for deposits and other house purchase costs. Our expert Mortgage Advisers will be able to discuss all options available to suit your specific family’s situation.
By Caz Blake-Symes May 10, 2025
The Bank of England has voted to reduce the Base Rate by 0.25% for the second time this year, taking it to 4.25%. Base Rate was held at 4.5% in March after it was cut by 0.25% in February.
By Caz Blake-Symes May 1, 2025
Adapted from Zoopla’s April 2025 Housing report I mage: The analysis uses average house prices from the house price index and for first-time buyers to assess mortgage payments at different mortgage rates applied to a 30- year mortgage, at different loan-to-values. One emerging trend that we expect to positively support market activity in the coming months is a relaxation in how lenders assess the affordability of new mortgages. While buyers focus on the mortgage rate they will pay, lenders also check whether the borrower can afford a 'stressed mortgage rate' at a higher level than the borrower will pay. ​ While the average 5-year fixed rate mortgage is around 4.5% today, many lenders are currently 'stress testing' affordability at 8-9%. This makes it harder to secure a mortgage without a large deposit. If average mortgage stress rates were to return to pre-2022 levels of 6.5% to 7%, this would deliver a 15-20% boost to buying power. ​ An average first-time buyer with mortgage repayments of £1,020pcm at a 4.5% mortgage rate would typically have to prove they could afford monthly repayments of £1,550pcm at an 8.5% stress rate. If the stress testing is relaxed to 6.5%, repayments would fall to £1,275pcm, boosting buying power. It's a similar pattern for the average homeowner, while the actual impact will vary by lender and type of borrower. ​ This change would consequently supporting demand and sales volumes, helping to clear the stock of homes for sale, rather than boosting house prices. Other existing rules and regulations that remain in place will continue to impact the availability of mortgage finance.  Comment from Phil Clark “This is potentially very exciting news and will give borrowers a greater choice of products if these rules are relaxed. Regardless of whether you are a First-time Buyer, Looking to move, remortgage or invest in property, there are a huge range of competitive mortgage deals on the market. I will be delighted to discuss your specific requirements and offer you the most suitable deal!” Please call Phil on 0117 3251511 or email info@swmortgages.com For more information about the Mortgage and Protection products we offer, please visit www.bristolmortgagesonline.com Your home/property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or other debt secured on it.
By Caz Blake-Symes April 15, 2025
The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
Stamp duty information
By Caz Blake-Symes April 10, 2025
There have been some important changes to the legislation regarding Stamp Duty Land Tax with effect from 1 April 2025.
Time to remortgage
By Caz Blake-Symes March 31, 2025
This edition includes fantastic new mortgage products, updated guides for those with adverse credit, 17 great tips to follow before making and application and lots more. If you need help with any of the items covered, please call Phil on 0117 325 1511.
Show More