{"id":809,"date":"2023-07-25T15:36:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-25T14:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kinnison.finance\/?p=809"},"modified":"2023-07-25T17:48:08","modified_gmt":"2023-07-25T16:48:08","slug":"mortgages-be-prepared-to-act-quickly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kinnison.finance\/mortgages-be-prepared-to-act-quickly\/","title":{"rendered":"Be prepared to act quickly"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Despite the increase in the Base Rate to 5% by the Bank of England in June, speculation remains as to when the next rate rise will come and where rates will peak. With the expectation that UK inflation will remain stubbornly high for longer, some experts are forecasting rates to reach as high as 7% and remain higher for longer than was anticipated earlier this year. In this uncertain climate, mortgage lenders continue to withdraw and re-issue mortgage products at short notice.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What can borrowers do to secure the mortgage they need?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mortgage lenders with the most competitive rates are understandably extremely busy. They are also susceptible to withdrawing their products at very short notice (sometimes even hours) to restrict demand and re-issue products at either higher interest rates, with stricter criteria or even both. If borrowers want to secure these mortgages, they need to be well prepared with information, documentary evidence to prove they meet the lenders\u2019 specific criteria and be ready to respond to follow up questions. If a borrower is unable to successfully submit their application and attain an \u2018agreement in principle\u2019 (AIP) they may find themselves unable to secure the mortgage they initially applied for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is an AIP?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Attaining an AIP is an early step in the mortgage application process. It is an indication from a mortgage lender about the amount that lender could potentially lend to you based on the initial information provided. An AIP is not a formal mortgage offer and the final amount and mortgage terms the lender is willing to offer you may differ from the amount stated in an AIP.
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Understanding the underwriting process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The mortgage underwriting process involves the verification of the borrower\u2019s identification, age and essential financial information such as employment status, level of income, assets and liabilities, credit history, property valuation etc. If a borrower meets the lender\u2019s underwriting criteria, then an AIP will be issued. Every mortgage lender has their own criteria and there is no consistency across High Street Banks, Building Societies, Private Banks and Specialist Lenders. Therefore, before making a mortgage application, the borrower must ensure they have the necessary information to meet that particular lender\u2019s underwriting process, otherwise crucial time may have been wasted by applying to a lender that does not fit the borrower\u2019s personal circumstances.
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What can a borrower do if the mortgage underwriter rejects an application?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There can be a number of reasons why the mortgage underwriter has rejected a mortgage application, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n