Saturday, January 28, 2012

Cash Back Mortgages for First Time Buyers

By Glen Lane


A cash back mortgage is a loan offered with a cash back incentive. Some financial institutions in the UK offer this type of mortgage to new borrowers. They get a lump sum payment, which is advertised as free cash and called cashback. In reality, it is funded by the interest charges borrowers pay. Cash back mortgages are popular with first-time buyers who use the money for house repairs, furniture, and more. Usually, first-time buyers do not have enough money left after making the down payment on their new home.

Some financial institutions offer cash back mortgages with a variable interest rate, and the cash back borrowers get can be as much as 6 percent of the amount of the mortgage . It can be used for different purposes. Cashback may be offered along with a discount rate or a fixed rate scheme. In this case, the cashback amount is small, and borrowers can use it to cover the legal costs for the remortgage or house purchase or to cover the cost of the mortgage valuation.

There are pros and cons to having a cash back mortgage. The main benefit is additional cash, which is always welcome when money is tight. Repair works or renovation may be required before the house feels like home. Familities and persons who had to make a substantial down payment may experience financial difficulties during the first few months. Many borrowers like the idea of getting extra cash in the form of cash back. This cash back can be used to make overpayments if the mortgage loan is flexible enough. Alternatively, the extra money can be deposited in a savings account.

It should be mentioned that some financial institutions require that borrowers pay an application fee. In addition, cash back mortgages usually come with a high interest rate than standard mortgages offered on the market. Many costs associated with the home-buying process have to be paid before completion meaning that cash back will not help. These include searches, registry, survey, and other fees.

The idea of getting cash back sounds attractive, but there are other factors to consider. For example, some financial institutions impose high early redemption penalties. The penalty applies over a longer period if the cashback amount is substantial. There may be a penalty clause in place if changing lenders.

Some building societies and banks in the United Kingdom offer cash back mortgages, for example, the Leeds Building Society, the Woolwich Building Society, Abbey Bank, and others. At the same time, it may be wise to opt for a cheaper deal, even though cash back mortgages offer extra cash. The types of mortgage loans popular with borrowers do not require additional incentives to sell well. Finally, some banks fix the tie-in and rate over a set period.




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