What is a Mortgage Agreement in Principle in Sheffield, and how can it help?

What is an Agreement in Principle? 

An Agreement in Principle (AIP) is a statement or certificate from a lender to say that, in principle, they would lend you a certain amount and proves a First Time Buyer in Sheffield like yourself that you are credit-worthy.  

If you are looking to get one, you need to get in touch and provide us with information about your mortgage needs and situation. Then, once we have processed your details, we can suggest how much you may be able to borrow. 

As a devoted mortgage broker in Sheffield, we can usually turn around an agreement in principle for you within 24 hours of your enquiry. Your Agreement in Principle can last anywhere between 30 and 90 days, depending on the lender. If your Agreement in Principle expires before you use it, it can be easily refreshed by speaking to your mortgage advisor in Sheffield. 

Does an Agreement in Principle affect my credit score? 

When applying for an Agreement in Principle, the lender will run a credit check to evaluate your eligibility. You will need to ask what level of credit survey they do. If the lender runs a hard credit search, it will leave a ‘footprint’ on your credit file visible to other lenders.  

A search footprint is a record left by a credit reference agency every time your credit report gets searched, either by yourself or by others. If there are a high number of hard searches in a short period, it can harm your credit score as it could signal that you’re struggling to get accepted by other lenders. 

However, if the lender has chosen to run a soft search, it won’t leave a footprint, and it won’t impact your credit score. 

Is an Agreement in Principle guaranteed? 

An AIP cannot guarantee that you will get a mortgage offer – you will still need to go through the entire mortgage application process when you find a property you want to buy, but this will help strengthen your chances.  

An AIP usually is valid for up to 30 – 90 days, and our mortgage adviser in Sheffield will be able to use the information as part of your mortgage application process. However, they will want to make sure the details are still correct.  

Some factors may affect the lender’s decision when making a complete application, such as their lending criteria or personal circumstances that have changed.  

Mortgage Broker in Sheffield 

You may be a First Time Buyer in Sheffield, or you might be thinking of moving to the area and are looking for excellent mortgage advice. If this is your situation, we believe that you will benefit from our dedicated mortgage advice service in Sheffield. 

We offer a free initial mortgage consultation with one of our expert mortgage advisors in Sheffield, so please get in touch today and let us get the ball rolling on your mortgage application so that we can secure you an agreement in principle. 

Should I Transfer My Buy to Let (BTL) Property to my Limited Company?

Buy to Let Mortgage Advice in Sheffield

We often hear from customer enquiring if it’s it possible to exchange ownership of your property from your name(s), into the name of your limited company?

Buying as an SPV:

First of all, it is essential to know how a mortgage lender will approach purchases from Limited Companies. There are not many lenders that will accept Ltd Company applications through anything other than an SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) Company.

An example of this is a company set up expressly to invest in properties like this. When registering your company, your registration will include a SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) Code that maps out the types of business in which the company will participate. Mortgage lenders usually would not accept applications from general trading companies that can trade in other areas.

For example, if you have a plumbing and heating company, you will need to set up an entirely separate company to own the properties in your Buy to Let portfolio instead of buying them through your plumbing company. The SIC codes typically accepted are 68100, 68201, 68209, 68320, though this varies depending on the lender.

To find out more information about SIC Codes, consult the Government here.

Advantages & Disadvantages

There are both advantages and disadvantages to purchasing a Buy to Let in Sheffield under an Ltd Company. For example, you will find that not all mortgage lenders will consider applications from SPV’s. Instead, they prefer to limit their lending to lone applicants or couples applying in their name(s). As such, individuals will find themselves with a broader range of products than those using SPV’s.

When it comes to the lenders who would lend to an SPV, the mortgage rates would also typically be much higher than the rates offered to individual applicants. A positive take away though, is that the way rental income is taxed has been changed in recent years, meaning that many people prefer the advantages generated by SPV ownership (relating to how payment is taken and how that income is taxed) as they more than makeup for any extra interest charges or lack of product choice.

The first thing we always recommend customers look at when evaluating your options of buying your portfolio under an SPV is speaking with a specialist tax advisor for advice. They will assess factors such as external income sources and the rate of personal income tax you pay, seeing how they will affect your overall tax status. This will help decide whether or not individual or SPV ownership is the way forward for you.

Should I transfer properties that I already own to an SPV?

As discussed, the main factor in your decision will be your tax position. This becomes a little more complex when you decide whether or not you want to transfer properties you already own from individual ownership to company ownership.

The problem here is that it isn’t just a simple transfer. This type of transaction is a change of legal ownership. Your Ltd Company is a separate corporate identity so that the transaction will be counted as a purchase from you as the individual to the SPV. Stamp duty charges, legal costs and new mortgage and valuation charges will be in full effect.

It’s important to remember that Limited Companies come with running expenses and legal obligations. That said, these may be offset by the possibility of tax-deductible costs or long-term tax benefits.

If a landlord is looking to increase their property portfolio, it would probably work better to keep the current property under their name and only use the SPV to buy any other properties. That way, you avoid any switching costs and unwanted legal fees for something you already own. That being said, each case is different, and you may find that the benefit of a switch far outweighs any of the downsides that come with it. It’s all depending on the circumstance.

As we’ve covered, this is a particular territory. If you are considering taking this route, please get in touch with an experienced and knowledgeable Buy to Let Mortgage Advisor in Sheffield. 

Here at Sheffieldmoneyman, we have many Buy to Let experts on hand who provide top quality mortgage advice in Sheffield, backed up by introductions to appropriately experienced accountants and solicitors as and when you need them.

To speak with a Mortgage Advisor in Sheffield, please Get in Touch and we will see how we can help.

Why use a Mortgage Broker in Sheffield?

Purchase & Remortgage Advice in Sheffield

Home Movers and First Time Buyers in Sheffield use a Mortgage Broker in Sheffield to help the process of purchasing a home go as smoothly as possible. Buying a home can be a very stressful experience, and our customers like to know they have got someone reliable on their side on hand to answer all their questions and queries.

Your Dedicated Mortgage Advisor in Sheffield will ensure you obtain the most suited mortgage to match your circumstances. We will recommend the most suitable mortgage for you and package your application to the Lender in such a way to give it the best chance of success. The same rules apply when you come to Remortgage too, we like to know our customers are on the most affordable deal for the entire term of the mortgage. 

Keeping you Informed During Your Journey

We think talking to a Mortgage Advisor in Sheffield early on in the process is a good idea. We can help you work out what you can afford to pay and also how much the different Lenders will let you borrow. You would be surprised by the vast differences between Mortgage Lenders when it comes to the maximum mortgage available. Knowing what you can afford well in advance of making an application helps you avoid disappointment. 

Communication also plays a large part. We like to keep our customers informed about their application’s progress by email, so you know things are moving forward. It’s good to know that we are also at the end of the phone when you need us.

No Ties to Estate Agents, Banks or Building Societies

Mortgage Brokers work for the customer, not the Lender. This is important to note because we are in your corner sometimes having to argue the strengths of an application to ensure it goes through. We know our customer’s financial situation inside out, and by requesting and checking your proof of income and bank statements well in advance of a Lender seeing them, we look to avoid any potential hurdles before we hit them carefully. 

If you need help you choose the right type of survey for your transaction and instruct a Solicitor on your behalf to carry out the legal aspects of your transaction. We are experts in completing application forms on behalf of our clients to ensure accuracy and give your application the best chance of completion.

Building Customer Relationships

Finally, a great Mortgage Advisor in Sheffield will love to build up an ongoing relationship with a client. It can often start with an affordability assessment and Agreement in Principle before even finding a house. Even after the purchase is complete, we keep regular contact via email and re-engage by phone running up to the initial mortgage product coming to its end. We then compare the market on your behalf once again to obtain the best remortgage deal available. 

How Much Can I Borrow for a Mortgage in Sheffield?

First time buyers in Sheffield and home movers, embarking on the journey to homeownership is an exciting and significant milestone. If you’re considering purchasing a property in Sheffield, understanding how much you can borrow for a mortgage is a crucial first step. Here, we’ll delve into the factors that influence mortgage borrowing in Sheffield, guiding you to make informed decisions on your home buying journey to securing your dream home.

Understanding Mortgage Affordability in Sheffield

Income Assessment

One of the primary factors lenders consider when determining your mortgage borrowing capacity is your income. Whether you’re on full time employment, self employed in Sheffield, or have additional income sources, lenders will assess your ability to make monthly repayments. Our expert mortgage brokers in Sheffield can help you navigate this process, ensuring your income is accurately evaluated.

Affordability Calculations

When using any affordability calculators, the total amount you can borrow can vary widely from Lender to Lender and should only be purely an indication of the maximum amount available based on your income for illustrative purposes only.

Our experienced mortgage advisors in Sheffield can can provide clarity on the maximum amount you can you borrow for a mortgage and run through your options to answer all your mortgage related questions.

Deposit Requirements

The size of your deposit plays a crucial role in determining your mortgage options. Generally, a larger deposit opens up more favourable mortgage deals with lower interest rates. Our mortgage advisors in Sheffield can help you explore various deposit scenarios, ensuring you make informed decisions aligned with your financial goals.

Mortgage Advice in Sheffield

Mortgage Types and Interest Rates

Understanding the different types of mortgages in Sheffield and the associated interest rates is crucial in making informed decisions. Our dedicated mortgage advisors at Sheffield can guide you through the array of options, helping you choose a mortgage that aligns with your financial objectives.

Credit Score

Your credit history significantly influences mortgage approval and interest rates. As a trusted mortgage broker in Sheffield, our team can assist you in assessing your credit report, offering advice on improving your credit score if necessary.