Ask the experts

About our experts...

At John Charcol, we are constantly asked for advice by borrowers on what they should do when it comes to mortgages.  As such, we created this section so that you can submit your questions to our experts.  The answers are provided by a number of people who have years of experience in the mortgage market.  The team is led by Peter Woodward who works in our technical department.  Peter spent his formative years as an underwriter with one of the major UK lenders so what he doesn't know, quite frankly, isn't worth knowing...

So please do submit your question and we will do all we can to answer it as quickly as possible

Please be aware that these answers can only be generic and no personal recommendations can be made.


Posted on 11 February 2009

Assuming a property value of £100000 on a buy basis of 75% and rental on 25%. What amount of deposit would be needed and what would the monthly outgoings be assuming it was a 25 year mortgage for first time buyers?

 

It is...

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Category: First-time buyer, Shared ownership


Posted on 21 May 2008

I am a first time buyer who wants to buy a flat in London. Some people are saying to wait as prices are expected to fall by 12%-18% over the next 2 years nationally. Can this price drop be expected in London or other "hot spots"?...

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Category: Current rates & the market, First-time buyer


Posted on 4 May 2008

Bit of a convoluted question but I hope you can help...! I am a first time buyer and I'm considering a shared ownership type arrangement with a family friend who is looking to invest in property. Would it be possible for us to...

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Category: First-time buyer, Guaranteeing & buying with child, Shared ownership


Posted on 24 April 2008

My partner and I are looking to buy our first property. I am employed and earn £24,000 a year. He is self-employed and earns around £18,000 a year BUT the problem we have is that he is unable to prove his income as he does not...

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Category: 100%+ borrowing, First-time buyer


Posted on 27 March 2008

I have a deposit of £25,000 with another £25,000 in shares and investment funds. I am single, aged 39 and have no debt. Would it be possible for me to get a mortgage for £180,000. I earn £22,000 per annum.

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Category: First-time buyer


Posted on 17 March 2008

I have just bought my first property. I took a mortgage with RBS. Our monthly payments are very high - we have a fixed rate of 6.35% for 5 yrs. We are struggling with repayments, can we exit this mortgage without having to pay...

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Category: First-time buyer, Lower mortgage payments


Posted on 5 March 2008

I've heard about the 125% mortgage being fazed out. I'm a first time buyer without a deposit and no chance of really raising one, however I want to get on the property ladder asap as I'm wasting my money on rent! What are the...

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Category: First-time buyer


Posted on 28 February 2008

Hi, my interest only mortgage deal is due to run out in April 2008. I hope to sell my property before then. I assume if sold before April I will part with my lenders with any profit made? My question is, when I go to buy again...

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Category: First-time buyer


Posted on 14 February 2008

Hi, I can afford to pay £600 per month back on a mortgage. How much roughly would I be able to borrow?

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Category: First-time buyer


Posted on 5 February 2008

Are my husband and myself eligible for a first time buyer mortgage? We have had a mortgage previously, but for the last 18 months have lived in rented accommodation (by choice - no arrears prior to that).

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Category: First-time buyer


Posted on 5 February 2008

How much would a £50,000 mottgage cost me a month?

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Category: First-time buyer


Posted on 4 January 2008

I have a significant amount of personal debt, but a good income and have never bought before. Is there a way for me to combine my personal debt with a mortgage to get onto the property ladder? Is it an option you would recommend?

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Category: 100%+ borrowing, Current rates & the market, First-time buyer


Posted on 19 December 2007

Hi, Is there anyway you can work out for me what the interest would be on £103,000 mortgage? Sally

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Category: First-time buyer, The application process explained


Posted on 16 December 2007

Hi Katie, I heard there are 8500 mortgage products out there. How different can they really be? - grateful for your insight. Thanks, Clive.

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Category: First-time buyer, The application process explained


Posted on 13 December 2007

Hi Katie. With the reduction in the base rate of interest and the seemingly daily speculation about the state of the housing market, is it wise or foolish to buy now as a first time buyer? Are the risks of acquiring a lot of...

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Category: First-time buyer


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