- How much deposit do I need for a UK mortgage?
- The largest range of products sits at 75% loan-to-value, which means a 25% deposit. Five and ten per cent deposits exist, but the rates rise sharply as the deposit falls, and above 90% LTV the choice narrows to a handful of lenders. A useful rule of thumb is that every 5% more deposit tends to move you into a cheaper band.
- What is the difference between repayment and interest-only?
- On a repayment mortgage the monthly payment covers the interest plus part of the capital, so the balance falls to zero by the end of the term. On interest-only you pay only the interest, so the payment is much lower but the full amount borrowed is still owed at the end and must be repaid from another source. Interest-only means paying far more interest in total over the life of the loan.
- How much can I borrow on my salary?
- Most lenders cap borrowing at around four and a half times gross household income, though some will go higher for certain professions or incomes. That cap is not the answer on its own: lenders also stress-test the payment at a higher rate than the one they are offering, and that test — not the income multiple — is often what limits borrowing for anyone with debts, dependants or childcare costs.
- What happens when my fixed rate ends?
- You move onto the lender's standard variable rate, which is almost always more expensive than the deal you came off. Lenders must write to you before it happens, and the sensible time to arrange a remortgage is around six months before the fix ends, because most lenders let you lock a new rate that far ahead without penalty.
- Is a lower rate always the cheaper deal?
- No, and this is the most expensive mistake in mortgage comparison. A product with a lower rate but a large arrangement fee can cost more than a slightly higher rate with no fee, particularly if you expect to move or remortgage before the fee has been recovered. The comparison only makes sense over the period you actually intend to hold the mortgage.
- Do I pay stamp duty on a mortgage?
- No — stamp duty land tax is charged on the purchase price, not on the mortgage. It is still a cash cost on completion, and it cannot be borrowed against the property, so it belongs in the calculation of how much cash you need alongside the deposit, legal fees and survey.