How to prepare yourself to become a home owner
If you are looking to get that all important first step on the property ladder, then you need to prepare yourself financially. By making preparations, you will help boost your credit rating. Having a good credit rating will give you a wider choice of mortgages and will heighten your chances of getting accepted by a lender.
So what steps do you need to take?
First of all, open a high interest bearing savings account. You can then use this account to start building a deposit as well as have money put aside for all the costs associated with buying a home.
This will benefit you in two ways. The first way is that the bigger the deposit you have – and you should aim for at least 5% of the anticipated purchase price – the more mortgage products that will be available to you. Someone with a 10% deposit will have more mortgage options available to them than someone with a 5% deposit so save as hard as you can.
The second benefit of having a savings account is that it will look good on your credit file as it demonstrates responsible money management.
To build your credit rating further, for at least twelve months prior to moving, get your finances squeaky clean. Pay off any overdrafts, loans and any balances on credit cards. Pay all your bills on time. And never ever miss a payment on anything. Not even your mobile phone bill as this can negatively affect your credit rating.
Do not move bank accounts or switch jobs as stability is attractive to lenders. And if you are planning to get a joint mortgage, ensure that whoever you are planning to buy with follows these same steps too, as both your credit files will be taken in to consideration.