Credit: MyProperty Newsletter 18 May 2021
Before a home loan is approved, banks and other financial institutions will perform extensive research on your financial history - making financial preparedness vital.
If you are getting ready to apply for a home loan, you need to assess your financial wellbeing and you should know the answers to the following questions:
Would-be homebuyers should know their credit score and check their credit record to ensure that everything is in order. It is possible for negative credit information to be recorded by mistake. Checking your credit record before applying for finance will allow you time to rectify any mistakes that could harm your bond application success. Consumers are entitled to a free credit report each year, so they should be sure to check it.
Any accounts or bills that have been handed over for collection should be paid and sorted out before applying for finance. Defaults or slow payment notifications will have a negative impact on a credit score, so it is important to make payments timeously.
The bond amount that a consumer qualifies for will be determined by their income. So it is important to include any bonuses or annual investment returns when making this calculation. Annual tax return documentation will assist you in determining your actual yearly income.
Disposable income is a key consideration when the bank considers the home loan amount they are willing to grant. For this reason, you should try and get rid of debt or at least pay it down as much as possible. The bank will require applicants to provide them with a list of their monthly expenses to determine the debt-to-income ratio. The ratio will be used as a measurement tool to determine the appropriate bond amount that the applicant can afford. Having a lower debt-to-income ratio will be highly beneficial to consumers who want higher bonds.
Financial worth is more than just your income. It also relates to any assets owned, such as vehicles, investments, and income-generating properties. All of these aspects add to your net-worth and will have a bearing on the amount that the bank is willing to grant.
More often than not the bank will require a deposit. The deposit can vary between 10% and 30% of the purchase price of the property depending on the circumstances. Aside from the deposit, you will also need additional money for the costs associated with buying a home such as transfer fees, attorney fees, and bond costs.
In an ideal situation, the monthly house payment, which includes the bond, interest, taxes and insurance should not take up more than around 30% of your income before taxes. It is possible to get an idea of your affordability levels from an online bond calculator or with the help of a financial professional. A bond originator service such as MyProperty Home Loans can also provide valuable guidance as to how much you can comfortably afford.