Luke Ashworth

Can remortgaging save you?

When it comes to financial products, especially in the UK, you can always find a better deal and shopping around has never been made easier – it’s practically encouraged by the lenders themselves.

It is estimated that more than half of all borrowers are continuing to pay over the odds for their mortgage each month and usually these people are paying the standard variable rate.

But most homeowners are still put off by what they think may be a hassle, when it comes to remortgaging and don’t believe it can actually save them in the long run.

Even if the change in rate is small, it can still make a big difference. Fore example, if you're paying an interest rate of say, 7.5 per cent on a £100,000 loan and you can switch your mortgage to another lender with a slightly better deal of 7 per cent, you could save £31 per month.

That’s £372 a year or almost £10,000 over the course of the 25 year mortgage term.

That's only for one half of a percentage change, so imagine how much you could save by shopping around with the goal to bringing your rate down by at least 2 per cent.

So now we know how much it can save you, how much will it actually cost you in terms of the penalties you will have to pay for giving up your old mortgage.

Usually, you will have to pay for a valuation and a solicitor's fees. In addition, arrangement and application fees charged by your new mortgage lender may cost anything from a couple of hundred pounds to over £500.

In all, these costs could add up to at least £1000 and could actually cancel out the savings you're making in the short term by switching mortgages.

However, some mortgage lenders will pay all or a percentage of these costs for you in order to have your business.

So how do you get around these ‘housekeeping’ fees?

Firstly, check the terms and conditions of your existing mortgage. These will tell if you are tied-in to your mortgage deal or if there are any redemption penalties (early repayment charges).

If you are locked-in, you must decide if it is worth switching to a different rate or stay put until the penalties have expired.

Secondly, when you are shopping around for a better remortgage deal, try to find a deal that offers free valuation and free conveyancing. This will save you a big hassle and hundreds of pounds.

Also make sure that the new mortgage has no extended redemption penalty tie-ins as this will prevent you from getting a better deal when the good interest rate on your new mortgage finishes.

Switching to a cheaper mortgage deal is one of the easiest ways that homeowners can save money and as it has become more popular and easier in recent years, more lenders are offering specialist remortgaging services. These often come with free legal and arrangement fees thrown in.

While it may seem time consuming to some, remember that no matter how long you have been with your existing lender, most lenders will not reward the loyalty with a reduction in rates. When telling your current lender about your plans to switch, they may however offer you a better deal, but in most cases, it’s not until you ask.

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