The Mortgage Society Blog

A Guide to Remortgaging

Remortgaging can be defined as the process of switching your existing mortgage to a new deal either with the same lender, or a new one.

Remortgaging can offer a range of benefits and could potentially save homeowners thousands of pounds over the life span of their loan.

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Understanding Remortgaging

Remortgaging involves moving your mortgage from one lender to another without moving home. It’s a strategic financial move that can be used to secure a lower interest rate, alter the term of the loan, or release equity from your property. By shopping around for a new and potential better deal, homeowners can take advantage of market competition and changing economic circumstances.

When to Consider Remortgaging

  • Fixed-Rate Ending: When a fixed-rate deal ends, lenders typically transfer you to their standard variable rate (SVR), which may be higher. Remortgaging before this point can avoid a payment hike and allows you to secure another fixed rate deal that works for your circumstances.
  • Interest Rate Reduction: If your current mortgage’s interest rate is higher than what’s offered on the market, remortgaging can reduce monthly payments.
  • Equity Release: If your property has increased in value, remortgaging can allow you to release some of this equity for things such as home improvements, debt consolidation, or other significant expenses.
  • Change of Financial Circumstance: Changes to your personal finances might mean your current mortgage no longer suits your needs. Remortgaging can adjust the term or type of mortgage accordingly.

Potential Savings and Costs

The benefits of securing a lower interest rate can result in substantial savings over the years. However, the remortgaging process can incur costs such as exit fees, application fees, valuation costs, and legal fees. A detailed cost-benefit analysis is essential to ensure that the savings outweigh these expenses.

Expert Advice

Before making any decisions on remortgaging, seeking expert advice is vital. Mortgage brokers have access to a wide range of products and can provide tailored advice based on your individual circumstances.

Risk and Considerations

While remortgaging can offer financial benefits, it also carries certain risks. Homeowners must carefully consider their long-term ability to meet mortgage payments, especially if circumstances change. Additionally, extending the mortgage term to reduce payments can mean more interest paid over the lifespan of the mortgage.

Conclusion

In summary, remortgaging can be a savvy financial decision for many homeowners. With careful planning, expert mortgage advisers having a keen eye on the market, you could improve your financial position by finding a mortgage deal that better serves your current and future needs.

Get in touch with one of our mortgage & protection advisers and let’s see how we can help you!

 

THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DBETS AGAINST YOUR HOME. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.

Approved by The Openwork Partnership on 15.08.2024

The Mortgage Society is a trading name of Just Mortgages Direct Limited which is an appointed representative of The Openwork Partnership, a trading style of Openwork Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.