Mortgages on Inherited Property: What You Can Do Before and After Probate If you have inherited a property, you might be wondering whether you can get a mortgage on it, and if so, what the best route looks like. You may want to live in the home, buy out a relative, fund renovations, switch to… Read more
What to Do When Your Interest Only Mortgage Ends If you’re approaching the end of your interest only mortgage term, you might be feeling a little uncertain about what comes next. You’ve spent years paying off just the interest which would have saved you money monthly, but now the original loan amount is due. For… Read more
Equity Release for Inheritance Tax Planning: Reduce IHT and Support Your Family If you’re a homeowner thinking about how best to pass on your wealth, inheritance tax (IHT) might already be on your radar. With property values having surged over recent decades, many people now find their estates exceeding the tax-free threshold, bringing the issue… Read more
Guide to Saving on Legal Costs Buying or selling a home involves numerous costs, one of the most significant being conveyancing fees. These fees cover the legal work required to transfer property ownership. Understanding the components and average costs of conveyancing can help you budget effectively and avoid surprises. At Kerr & Watson, we provide… Read more
Mortgage with a Restrictive Covenant: What Buyers Need to Know Buying a property is an exciting step, but if the property has a restrictive covenant, it could complicate things. Restrictive covenants can limit how a property is used or developed, which may concern some mortgage lenders. At Kerr & Watson, we specialise in providing personalised… Read more
As you reach age 50, your mortgage options begin to shift. While it’s still possible to purchase a property at or near retirement age, it’s important to understand how age can influence borrowing when you come to take a mortgage. Age and Mortgage Eligibility Many mortgage providers set maximum age limits, which vary depending on… Read more
Introduction Swap rates hold significant sway on mortgage rates, particularly the Sterling Overnight Index Average (SONIA) swap rates within the UK market. We will look into what swap rates are and their effect on mortgage rates. What is an Interest Rate Swap? Interest rate swaps involve a contractual deal where two parties exchange sets of… Read more
When Will Your Mortgage Be Pre-Approved? Key Steps and Timelines Obtaining a pre-approved mortgage is a crucial step in the home-buying process. It provides you with an understanding of how much you can borrow and reassures sellers of your financial capability. At Kerr & Watson, we specialise in guiding you through the mortgage process, ensuring… Read more
Freehold vs Leasehold: Key Differences and What They Mean for You When purchasing a property, understanding the tenure whether it is freehold or leasehold, and how it impacts you is crucial. This distinction significantly affects your ownership rights, responsibilities, and financial obligations. What is Freehold Tenure? Freehold Definition and Rights Freehold tenure means you own… Read more
What does ‘Whole of Market’ really mean, and how does it impact your decision-making process? We’ll explain what “whole of market” means and why choosing a whole of market mortgage broker like Kerr & Watson can make a significant difference in finding the right mortgage and protection solutions for you. What is a Whole of… Read more
Mortgage Application Approval: What to Expect and How to Speed Up the Process Applying for a mortgage is a significant step in your home-buying journey, and one of the most common concerns is how long it takes to get a mortgage application approved. The timeline can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of… Read more