Find out instantly how much you can borrow

modern-kitchen

01 Dec 2021

What To Avoid Doing When Trying to Get a Mortgage

When looking for a mortgage, there are steps you can take to increase the chances of getting accepted. In the same way, there are things you should avoid doing to help the possibility of your application getting the all-clear.

At Mortgages Online, we have a range of online mortgage advisors who will check your documents and application to make sure everything is in check. We can offer professional mortgage advice to help you understand the best choice for your circumstance. Not only can we find the right mortgage for you, but we will take you through every step of the process to make sure you have the best chance possible.

To help your application succeed, it’s handy to understand how the process works, what your application needs and the things that could stop you from getting accepted altogether. From making late payments to applying for a mortgage with a person with bad credit, here’s everything you should avoid doing to get the best mortgage deal possible.

Avoid Making Late Payments

Being able to prove to your lender that you can afford to make consistent mortgage repayments each month is important when applying for a mortgage. If you have previously fallen behind on payments, this can show up on your credit profile for six years. But its effect on your credit report will reduce over time. It’s therefore important to always try your best to make all payments on time, even if you’re far off looking for a mortgage.

Don’t Close a Credit Account

You want your finances to be as stable as possible when going through the mortgage process. By closing a credit account, this could cause a dip in your credit score. Your credit score is one of the most important aspects of getting a mortgage (more on this later), so you should avoid doing anything that will cause this to decrease, especially when you’re just about to get a new mortgage.

Don’t Ignore Outstanding Debt

Although it is possible to get accepted for a mortgage with a history of debt, it can make it trickier. If you’re paying off personal loans, this will impact how much you’ll be able to afford to pay off for mortgage repayments which lenders might view as risky. If you have large outstanding debt, lenders will be less willing to grant you a mortgage so it’s best to try to get these payments sorted before you start looking for a mortgage.

Check Your Credit Score

Your credit score is a determining factor when obtaining a mortgage, so keeping note of your credit means you won’t have any shocking surprises when applying for a mortgage. If you or the person you’re applying for a mortgage with has a history of late payments or debt arrears, this can impact your credit rating, decreasing your chances of getting accepted. Before getting your heart set on a mortgage, make sure your credit is as good as it can be.

Read on: A Guide to Improving Your Credit Score Rating

Avoid Having No Credit History

Applying for a mortgage without a credit history is like applying for a job with no CV. Without a credit history to look at, lenders won’t have any information to prove you can be trusted with repayments, making it difficult to accept your application. If you take steps to build your credit profile to prove you’re reliable with money, getting a good mortgage deal should be no problem at all.

Don’t Make a Major Lifestyle Change

When applying for a mortgage or you’re already in the process, you should avoid any big lifestyle changes such as changing jobs and dropping salary, starting a family or getting a divorce. Your financial situation needs to be as steady as possible, so any changes which affect your finances will put your application at risk.

Avoid Errors on Your Application

Every detail on a mortgage application will be looked at in fine detail, so it’s key you make sure there are no errors. Inaccuracies on a mortgage application will need to be amended, slowing the process down further. Take your time with your application to make sure you’re happy with it and all information is correct.

Don’t Get a Mortgage with Someone with Bad Credit

Having bad credit can have negative effects on your chances of getting a mortgage. If you’re planning on getting a mortgage with someone else, it’s important to check their score as well as your own. By doing this you can make sure you’re both in the position to afford a mortgage. If their credit isn’t as good as it can be, allow time for them to increase their rating before starting the mortgage hunt.

Avoid Other Large Purchases

Making big purchases like a new car or an expensive appliance whilst in the mortgage process could result in your application getting rejected, especially if you require a loan to make the purchase. It’s best to make these payments once your mortgage has been finalised, even items like furniture that you might want to pay for in instalments. You don’t want to do anything that might lower your credit score whilst in the mortgage process.

Get Professional Advice

Applying for a mortgage can be a daunting experience, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. If you require any advice, our expert online mortgage advisors are here to help with any queries you have. Feel free to get in touch by calling 03300 58 60 58 or emailing us at ask@mortgages.online.

AndrewMontlake

Andrew Montlake

As Managing Director, Andrew looks after the strategic goals that drive the vision and culture of the company, maintaining and promoting our Brand, Marketing, PR & Communications, as well as looking after our Corporate, Introducer, and Lender relationships.

He is the author of a highly acclaimed Mortgage Blog and host of our successful Mortgage & Property Podcasts and he has also won 8 major industry awards; Best Press Spokesperson (twice), Best Marketeer (twice), Mortgage Personality of the Year (twice), Mortgage Strategist of the Year and most recently Best Business Leader Broker (11-50 brokers).

Apply for a new mortgage today!

  • Get free help and advice from one of our professionals
  • We compare more than 12,000 mortgages from over 130 lenders
Back to Blogs

Mortgages made easy.

We make mortgage applications easier and pride ourselves on our professional and customer sentric approach to securing mortgages for our customers. We are online mortgage brokers. We are MO.

New Mortgage Remortgaging
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies click here for more information. Close