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In my opinion, the most important aspect of any Mortgage Capacity Report is the consideration of affordable borrowing. In many cases maximum borrowing, which is the amount of mortgage borrowing mortgage lenders consider as suitable for an individual, is often very different to that same individual’s affordable borrowing. This is due the difference between essential and lifestyle expenditure.

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Reduce, reuse, recycle. We are all conscious of playing our day-to-day part to help the environment but is there more we could be doing? According to UK Government National Statistics, residential properties account for 15% of the UK’s climate emissions, so having an energy efficient home has a huge impact in lowering our carbon footprint.

Recognising this, NatWest are now offering a Green Mortgage Product to reward customers whose homes have a high Energy Performance Rating, with preferential mortgage rates on a two-year or five-year fix.

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We’re here to help you.

Our No Mortgage Capacity Assessments are offered at a reduced rate to help individuals obtain relevant proof, for use at court or during divorce/financial negotiations, that their financial circumstances clearly dictate that they are not able to secure a mortgage. With the effects Covid-19 is having on our economy and our jobs, more people are taking advantage of these assessments. If you find you are in one of the following categories, you may qualify for this type of assessment:

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Coronavirus has caused disruption to all industries across the UK and non must be suffering more sleepless nights than business owners, large or small.  However, the government has launched a range of temporary measures to help ease your concerns and support your business throughout this uncertain time. Ensuring you are getting the right financial support and taking full advantage of any funding or assistance on offer could really help businesses get through this unprecedented time.

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How the virus is affecting your Divorce Negotiations 

As we all are aware of by now, Coronavirus is affecting every aspect of our life and for myself, as a Mortgage Capacity Expert, providing individuals going through divorce and separation with detailed and reliable information about their mortgage borrowing capabilities can be challenging.

Mortgage lenders are changing criteria regularly, trying to keep up with the everchanging economic landscape.

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For those going through financial proceedings for divorce, it is becoming commonplace for the Court to request evidence of capacity to mortgage. Whilst this may be a worthwhile and logical exercise for some, for a number of individuals the prospect of paying for a full report may feel somewhat unfair, especially if their financial circumstances quite obviously deem them unable to secure mortgage lending.

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I have received an increasing number of enquiries recently from individuals and solicitors in need of what I have come to call a ‘Reverse Mortgage Capacity Assessment’. This is where the amount of mortgage lending required is already known and what I am instructed to explore is how much income will be required to achieve the required level of borrowing.

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During the emotional upheaval of divorce it can be easy to let things slip, but forgetting or refusing to deal with debts and liabilities can have long lasting effects and should never be ignored.

'But I’m not living in the property anymore’ I often deal with clients who have moved out of the family home and either due to ill feeling or because they simple cannot afford to, have stopped meeting the mortgage payments on the family home. Whilst this may satisfy a short term financial need, it is likely to have long term effects. When applying for a new mortgage many lenders are only willing to accept applicants who have a clear and up-to-date credit history with no missed or late payments on any financial commitment for the previous 6-12 months. Furthermore, of the mortgage lenders who are happy to tolerate some adverse credit a maximum number of missed mortgage payments or arrears, often 3 consecutive months, are usually allowed. This means that if the applicant has missed 3 or more mortgage payments lenders may not consider them for mortgage borrowing for some time.

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I have seen an increasing number of enquiries for Mortgage Capacity Assessments from clients going through Divorce who are aged 60 and over in recent months. Whilst Divorce at any time in life is difficult it presents a number of additional and unique challenges for those approaching, or already in retirement.

Traditional Mortgage Lending Is Not Always the Answer

Traditional mortgage lending can be very restrictive for those aged 60 or over. Especially those who are still working but within 5-10 years of retirement because many lenders will calculate borrowing based on retirement income, completely disregarding current earned income. Whilst some lucky individual’s may be in a position to enjoy a retirement with income equal to that of their previous working salary, most of us will see a drop, often substantial, in our income once we retire. This leaves less money available for mortgage lending.

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Personal Finance Society Awards Dinner 2017.

On Wednesday 22nd November 2017 I had the pleasure of attending this year’s Personal Financial Societies awards dinner at the iconic Roundhouse in Camden.  Celebrating the best in the business the PFS did a brilliant job in showcasing the elite in professional financial planning and journalism.

It was an absolute honour to have been chosen as a finalist in the Mortgage and Protection Advice Specialist award. Unfortunately I did not win the award, however, I remain a proud runner-up and a dazzling, glitzy and entertaining night was enjoyed by all.

The Bank of England (BOE) monetary policy committee is due to meet tomorrow to discuss interest rates and implement any changes. Predictions of a rate hike are widespread especially since the Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, stated that he expects an interest rate rise in the ‘relatively near term’.

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