Getting a mortgage is often hard enough when you’re an employed person, with a clean record and many years of stable income; getting a mortgage application approved when you’re self-employed or freelance is even more difficult. The mortgage lender wants to be certain of return on investment, after all.
The fact is that the entrepreneur is widely considered to be the backbone of society, the key to sustained economic growth – and yet their chances of rising in the property market are made more difficult because money lenders avoid risky propositions. If you’re caught in the confusing mix, then this one’s for you: here’s how you can acquire approval for a mortgage as a self-employed, freelance individual.
Where do you start?
There are many lenders available – but you should understand that high-end establishments, such as banks or building societies, are not always your best option. Many of them are focused on the PAYE finance scheme and are not necessarily suitable when it comes to comprehending the business sector and the finances involved. You’ll need to find a specialist that understands your position and can read your situation for what it truly is, such as a mortgage broker Bristol from Open Vision Finance.
Different kinds of mortgages
There are several kinds of mortgages out there, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Here are the main ones:
- Fixed rate – this is a mortgage whereby your interest rate stays the same throughout the whole duration.
- Tracker rate – this is a mortgage whereby your interest rate will be adjusted to the interest rates provided by the Bank of England.
Understand how mortgage lenders view you
You’re an investment – hence, you should understand that they are looking for proof of ability, and proof of willingness to pay back.
Help yourself
Get all your documents in order – this means your ID, your address history, your financial statements, and so on. A good mortgage broker will help you with this.
Remember that you’ll automatically go through some scrutiny and credit background investigations, just like the rest of us – so make sure all the paperwork is in order. In essence, the credit lender will look for two things. The first is the ability of the person (the entrepreneur or freelancer) to pay the mortgage back, with interest. The second is the likelihood of that person fulfilling his or her obligations to do so on time. If you can provide evidence that you have the means and that you are an upstanding citizen who is true to his or her word – if you have a clean record – then there is no reason to be denied. It’s a bit harder for the entrepreneur and self-employed person, but this challenge never lets the entrepreneur or self-employed get discouraged. Good luck!