Faulkner O'Connell - Mortgage and insurance advisors in Swindon

SELF-EMPLOYED MORTGAGES IN SWINDON


Challenges with Self-Employed mortgages

Self-employed individuals may face challenges when applying for mortgages due to irregular income, variable earnings, and difficulty proving income stability to lenders.

Traditional mortgage lenders often require proof of stable income, typically based on tax returns, accounts, and payslips. However, self-employed individuals may have more complex financial profiles, making it harder to meet standard lending criteria.

Getting a mortgage as self-employed can be tricky. Irregular income and complex financial records can make it difficult to prove income stability to lenders who typically rely on tax returns, accounts, and payslips. Our Swindon mortgage brokers understand these challenges and can help you navigate the process to find the best mortgage rate for your unique situation.

Income Verification for Self-Employed Borrowers

Lenders may assess the stability and sustainability of self-employed income to determine mortgage affordability. Self-employed borrowers may need to provide additional documentation to verify their income, such as:

  • Tax returns (SA302 forms) from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for the past 2-3 years.
  • Business accounts certified by an accountant.
  • Bank statements showing regular income deposits.
  • Contracts or invoices demonstrating ongoing work and future income prospects.

Specialist Self-Employed Mortgages

  • Some mortgage lenders offer specialist self-employed mortgage products tailored to the unique needs of self-employed borrowers.
  • These mortgages may have more flexible lending criteria, allowing for irregular income streams and variable earnings.
  • Specialist lenders may also consider other factors beyond traditional income verification methods when assessing mortgage applications from self-employed individuals.

Deposit Requirements

Self-employed borrowers may need to provide a larger deposit to secure a mortgage, similar to traditional mortgage applicants. A higher deposit reduces the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, which can improve the borrower’s chances of securing a mortgage and accessing more competitive interest rates.

Interest Rates and Terms:

  • Interest rates and mortgage terms for self-employed borrowers may vary depending on factors such as credit history, income stability, deposit size, and the lender’s lending criteria.
  • It’s important that self-employed borrowers compare mortgage deals from different lenders to find the most suitable option for their needs.
  • Self-employed individuals considering a mortgage should seek advice to help navigate the mortgage application process, understand lending requirements, and identify mortgage products that best suit their financial circumstances.

Overall, while obtaining a mortgage as a self-employed individual may present challenges, it’s certainly possible with proper planning, documentation, and support from experienced professionals. By demonstrating income stability, maintaining good credit, and exploring specialist mortgage options, self-employed borrowers can increase their chances of securing a mortgage that meets their needs. Faulkner O’Connell mortgage advisors have a thorough understanding of this market and will guide self-employed individuals through the mortgage process.

How can we help?

  • Obtaining a mortgage when you’re self-employed is more complicated and can be more difficult.
  • Lenders all have different requirements and policies when it comes to self-employment affordability and evidencing this. For example, some lenders need two years’ accounts, some only need one.
  • At Faulkner O’Connell, we understand this market. We work with lenders every day, building two-way relationships with our business development managers, staying abreast of all their everchanging criteria and USPs.
  • Self-employed income also requires more supporting documentation. Just like we do for employed clients, we’ll take the onus off you. We’ll make things simple and submit everything you need for an efficient mortgage offer.

Get clear and concise answers to your questions. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced advisors.