When it comes to mortgages, everyone’s different. You may know that you want lower repayments in the early years, the certainty of a fixed rate, or a greater level of flexibility. Alternatively you may simply be weighing up your options for now. This guide explains some of the key things to consider:
Despite all the different types of mortgage schemes and deals available, there are still just two basic ways of repaying your mortgage:
Repayment: pay back everything, including interest
With this option you’re guaranteed to pay off all of your mortgage by the end of the term, provided you don’t miss any payments. The amount that you repay each month is made up of capital and interest calculated to repay all of your mortgage by the end of the term.
Interest only: pay back just the mortgage interest
This option means your payments cover just the interest on your mortgage. You’ll need to make sure you have a way to pay off the capital element of your mortgage on or before the end of the mortgage term – such as an investment. Remember, though, to include the cost of any investment when you’re working out what you can afford to pay each month.
You can choose repayment, interest only or a combination of the two. But whichever option you choose, your mortgage will need to be cleared by the end of the term.
For most people it makes sense to arrange some kind of mortgage payment protection insurance to cover your mortgage payments if you were unable to work due to an accident, sickness or unemployment.
Fixed Rate mortgages
The rate of interest on your mortgage is fixed for a set period of time regardless of whether the Bank of England Base Rate or the lender’s Standard Variable Rate changes.
Some mortgages have rates that change over time – and repayments that rise as well as fall. This can make budgeting difficult, but with a fixed rate mortgage you know exactly where you stand. During your fixed rate period you will not be affected by any interest rate rises, giving you the peace of mind in knowing what you need to budget for.
Remember, if interest rates fall, you may miss out on a reduction in your monthly payments whilst you are on a fixed rate mortgage. At the end of the fixed rate period, your interest rate will change to a variable rate (usually our Standard Variable Rate), but we may be able to offer you another fixed rate at that time.
An Early Repayment Charge may apply if the mortgage is repaid during the benefit period. Please see our Early Repayment Charge section for details.
View our fixed rate mortgage range
Tracker mortgages
Your mortgage interest rate is linked to the Bank of England Base Rate for a set period. So if the base rate goes up, the interest you pay will increase, which means your mortgage payments will rise. But if the base rate goes down, the interest you pay will fall and so will your mortgage payments.
An Early Repayment Charge may apply if the mortgage is repaid during the fixed period. Please see our Early Repayment Charge section for details.
View our tracker mortgage range
Flexible Offset mortgages
This type of mortgage is designed to accommodate your changing financial needs. You can offset your savings, overpay, underpay or even take payment holidays. You can also make penalty-free lump sum repayments. The interest you pay is linked to the Bank of England Base Rate for the life of your mortgage.
View our Flexible Offset mortgage range
When moving home or remortgaging there are lots of things to think about – and the costs can soon add up. Our special solutions could help lighten the load:
Homebuyer Solution
Remortgage Solution
Benefits such as cashback or paid legal fees are repayable if you pay off your mortgage within the first two years.
What you need to pay back
Don’t forget to make sure you, and your home, are adequately insured. We can arrange insurance for your Buildings & Contents and arrange Life & Critical illness and Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance to help protect you should you be unable to work due to accident, sickness, unemployment through no fault of your own or if you leave work to become a carer for an immediate family member. Speak to one of our mortgage advisors for a quote.
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.
AER stands for Annual Equivalent Rate and shows what the interest rate would be if we paid interest and added it to your account each year. The tax free rate is the rate of interest payable where interest is exempt from income tax. The favourable treatment of ISAs may change in the future.
You are here: