What Is An Interest Only Mortgage?

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Interest-Only Mortgage Advice in Nottingham

What is an Interest-Only Mortgage?

Why do people still have these?

If I have an Interest-Only Mortgage, what can I do?

Here are some of the things you could be doing to resolve the issue:

Interest-Only Mortgage Advice in Nottingham

Year after year, back to back, we see thousands of Interest-Only Mortgages in Nottingham reaching the end of their terms and customers unable to pay off their mortgage fully.

Here we will explain what they are, the situations people face and what to do if you have an Interest-Only Mortgage.

What is an Interest-Only Mortgage?

Residential Interest-Only Mortgages were the in thing back in the 1980s and 1990s. The concept was that you pay interest on the capital owed, then when you reach the end of the term, you pay a lump sum. Borrowers would get advised to set up an “Investment Vehicle” alongside their Interest-Only Mortgage.

These were low-cost assets offered by investment companies, to raise enough money to eventually pay off the lump sum at the end of the term. In some cases, these investments may even provide additional funds on top of paying off the mortgage. Investment Vehicles also acted as a means of providing life cover, should the customer ever unfortunately die.

When taking out their Interest-Only mortgages, many customers did not get informed about the risks involved. There was no guarantee that their investment would grow enough to pay off the mortgage, with some customers not even investing at all. There were many complaints, with thousands receiving compensation if they got mis-sold on their mortgage.

Why do people still have these?

These days we find that Interest-Only Mortgages are mostly used in conjunction with buy to let mortgages. In any case, this is because some landlords like to maximise their monthly profits as much as possible.

Endowment Mortgages haven’t been popular in some time. There may be people still using one of these and have not managed to get them switched into a Repayment Mortgage yet. If this is you, you may be understandably concerned about losing your property.

You can still get an Interest-Only Mortgage, but with stricter rules now in place, it is less likely to be seen or cause any trouble for customers. Not all lenders will offer interest-only and those that do have stringent criteria, such as an approved repayment vehicle in place and a bigger deposit.

If I have an Interest-Only Mortgage, what can I do?

At times some lenders have surprised the borrower by requesting full repayment of the balance. Though this would typically only occur if the lender had been a poor communicator. Lenders regularly write to the borrowers, to ensure they know they need to make their repayment plans.

If you realise you are unable to repay the capital when required, please communicate and be open with the lender. However, this will not be the first time they have encountered this situation. So make sure you keep them updated on your circumstances.

Lenders do not like repossessing properties from people who cannot payback. However, they need to make their money back somehow, so will do this if they have no alternative.

Here are some of the things you could be doing to resolve the issue:

• If it is affordable, see if the lender can transfer you to a repayment mortgage.
• Consider selling your home and downsizing if you can.
• Use any savings you have or get help from family members. Usually, parents will be more than happy to push forward any early inheritance.
• Speak to a Mortgage Advisor in Nottingham and see if remortgaging in Nottingham to a new lender.
• Consider Equity Release/Lifetime Mortgage option through a specialist Advice broker.

There are now a lot more Retirement Mortgage options available to borrowers directly than ever before. If you happen to qualify for one of these options. You may continue to pay interest as a means of protecting the equity currently present in the property.

On the flip side, if you are not worried about leaving an inheritance to your children. You can allow interest to roll up and flat out stop making any mortgage payments.

A significant problem with Equity Release Mortgages is usually the Loan to Value. To qualify for one of these, especially if you are in your 60’s. You need to have a decent amount of equity in your home.

Date Last Edited: January 22, 2024