Tag: Find a mortgage advisor

Is it worth hiring a Mortgage Advisor?

Purchasing a home is an exciting yet daunting time. Especially as these days, scraping up a deposit is an achievement in itself! However, there is the small matter of the mortgage that you’ll be tied to for 25 years. While the exact figure will vary depending on your location and your property, the average UK mortgage is £669 a month. 

So before you sign on the dotted line, you need to know you have all the facts and that you’re getting the best deal. But is it worth hiring a mortgage advisor to help you do so? Let’s find out.

It’s a huge commitment

Life is full of commitments from relationships to parenthood. Buying property is no exception, especially as you can’t decide to suddenly skip a payment, even if it’s because you’re ill or you’ve lost your job. It’s going to be your life until you pay it off, or until you decide to move again! While most people only purchase a home once in their lifetime, a mortgage advisor spends every single day dealing with this exact matter. Experience counts for a lot, and when it comes to your mortgage, calling on that knowledge to know what you are letting yourself in for cannot be underestimated.

Getting the best deal

Understandably, the money involved is the biggest concern with any mortgage you wish to take out. There are several ways you can access mortgage advice either through a lender or a mortgage broker. However, a broker is not tied to any particular institutions and they may have special deals that are not available through your building society. Therefore, they are one of the best people to consult when it comes to getting the best deal. They will also tell you before you go ahead whether you’re in a good financial position to take out a mortgage in the first place which will save you time and effort too. 

Mortgages are confusing

Mortgages are expensive but they are pretty confusing too. Especially if you’re a first time buyer! From interest rates to the different ways a mortgage can be calculated, it’s enough to puzzle anyone. Gaining some clarity before you jump in by consulting a mortgage advisor can be very reassuring. You need to know that you can comfortably afford the repayments and be aware of the hidden charges such as exit fees that nobody tells you about. A mortgage advisor will unlock all of the details so that you don’t get any nasty surprises. 

To sum up

Paying your mortgage off will allow you to become a homeowner. But this can be a scary prospect given the average property price in the UK is £231,185. While mortgage advisors do charge a small fee, the money you could save in the long run is well worth it, especially if they can get you a better deal than what your local building society can offer. 

If you are looking for some advice on your mortgage, it couldn’t be easier with Bark. Find the best local experts near you who can help you with everything you need to know. After all, it’s the biggest financial commitment you’ll ever make!

Tying Up Loose Ends Before Going On Your Travels

The flights are booked, the selfie stick has been bought and your blog is up and running. Going travelling, or indeed moving abroad, is one of life’s most exciting adventures. All that stands between you and wanderlust is the passport checks and baggage reclaim, right? Wrong… You can’t just up and leave without tying up the loose ends your bound to encounter in the run up to your trip. From learning the local language to arranging a new home for your pooch, here’s some words of wisdom from the wise heads at Bark for you to bare In mind before you board that flight.

Home From Home

Preparing to move abroadWe’ll start with the obvious, your property. A big decision needs to be made here. Do you cash in and sell your home, or do you let it out for the duration of your stay abroad? It can be very tantalising to sell your property. Prices have increased in value by around 40% since 2011. However, you’ll want a safety net in the form of shelter in the scenario that your travels turn into a holiday from hell and you want to return pronto. That leaves us with renting. First, you need to ensure your insurance and mortgage providers are happy for your property to be converted from owner-occupier to rented. It’s best to find an expert mortgage advisor to help you with this part. What’s more, you’ll need to maximise the rentability of your home and spruce it up a bit before finding a suitor. That may require a professional to come in an address that niggling plumbing problem, or a handyman to fix the small jobs. Then there’s the small issue with tax. Landlords and property owners living abroad will still have to file a tax return every year. Sound complicated? You can always ask a tax professional to lend you a helping hand.

Learn The Lingo

Preparing to move abroadYou may think that you’ll pick up the local language easily once you’re out there and going about your daily life, but its always best to gain a grasp of the language of the country your heading to before you arrive. Us Brits are notorious for showing up on foreign soil and expecting the locals to be fluent in English– don’t be one of them. Be it Spanish, French, Chinese or whatever language you’re looking to learn, there’ll be a professional on hand to get you speaking like a local in no time. Just to us what language you’re looking to learn and we can find the ideal language professional. Capisce?

Store Those Memories

Preparing to move abroadAnother major headache of moving abroad is deciding what to do with your belongings. Most airlines these days place limits on how much you can place in the hold or in the cabin. If you’re renting out your place, you wont be able to keep stuff there, and we doubt your parents will be happy holding refuge to every possession you’ve deciding against taking with you on your travels. Your best bet is putting it into storage. It’s safe and secure and saves so much hassle. What’s more, it’s reassuring to know that your cherished possessions are stored, ready to be reunited with you when you return. If you go down the storage route, you’ll need a removal professional to transport your possessions to and fro. Or, if you prefer, you can always do it yourself and hire a van to get the job done.

Dog’s Life

Preparing to move abroadThis advice may tug on your heartstrings, so a word of caution against proceeding if you can’t face the prospect of giving up your best friend. One of the harsh realities of moving abroad is leaving your loved ones. Giving up a pet can be especially tearful. Of course, you’ll want to ensure your pet receives the best care possible in your absence, and if you intend to return in the not too distant future. If worst comes to worst and you have to say goodbye to your pooch for good, you’ll need to find a professional pet adoption agency.

Goodbye, Farewell

Preparing to move abroadSo, you’ve tidied up the home ready to let out, the taxman knows you’re heading abroad, and happy in the knowledge your pet is in safe hands. All that’s left to do is throw the biggest going away bash in history. This is your chance let out all the stress of preparing your move abroad and say goodbye to all your loved ones. You’ll need to plan this thoroughly. If you simply don’t have the time to organise your own do, you can find a professional to plan the party for you. From preparing food and drink, to finding the right venue, the team at Bark can ensure you get the perfect send off.

For more Bark.com tips and insights, why not check out our other blogs?