Monday, 3 August 2009

Top ten house repossession tips

posted by debts.org at 23:56

House repossessions hit a 12-year high in 2008, with over 200,000 home owners more than three months in arrears with their mortgages. If you want to avoid mortgage debt or house repossession, consider the following ten tips:

1. Flexible mortgage terms

Make sure you understand your mortgage terms to avoid debt problems later on. Most mortgages have some flexibility built in, so if you pay any extra in advance, you should be able to pay a reduced mortgage when things are difficult financially, or you may even be able to take a payment break.

2. Check the benefits you can claim

If you are unemployed and suffering debt problems or seeking debt advice in the UK, you should make sure you are getting the benefits you are entitled to. Also check if you have been paying mortgage payment protection insurance which could cover your mortgage payments for up to a year. If you have been mis-sold payment protection insurance you can reclaim the money paid with the help of a debt advice company. Also check with your benefits office to see if you are entitled to any help from the government with your mortgage repayments.

3. Check your budget before contacting your lender

Draw up a budget and note all of your outgoings and income before you contact your mortgage lender. Use an online mortgage calculator or online budget calculator to help you. If you are in need of free debt advice or information about debt management plans or individual voluntary arrangements, you should contact a regulated debt solutions company.

4. Face up to your mortgage debts

Keep in touch with your mortgage lender, and never ignore letters or phone calls. There are several options available to you if you are having problems paying your mortgage, or if you are suffering serious debt problems. The longer you leave it, the less sympathetic your lender will be, so act quickly when your debt problems start or you miss the first mortgage payment.

5. Consider your mortgage options to stay out of debt

Your mortgage lender may be able to offer you low cost alternatives to your current mortgage, such as reduced monthly payments for a set period of time or extending the term of your loan. You may even be able to take a mortgage payment holiday if your lender agrees to it. Address your debt problems as quickly as you can, or serious debt problems could follow. Debt advice is free in the UK with regulated debt help companies.

6. Mortgage arrears fears

If you fall into mortgage arrears, contact your lender immediately. If you have missed a couple of payments and you receive a letter from your lender, respond to it as quickly as possible. By failing to reply, you will be more likely to suffer house repossession. Always try to negotiate with your lender before they start legal action. You have nothing to lose by speaking directly to your lender.

7. House repossession and keys

Don´t hand the keys back to the lender and walk away. You will still not be free of debt. Seek independent advice first from a regulated debt company. Your debt problems could get worse and your name will appear on the mortgage repossessions register if your house is repossessed, which could affect any mortgage application in the future. If you can sell the house, then do so. Remember that if the house is repossessed and sold at auction, if there is any shortfall before the price it reaches and the money you owe, you will still be liable to pay that sum back. The lenders legally have 12 years to get the money back from you.

8. Mortgage court case

If the case against you goes to court and you don´t come to an agreement with the lender, make sure you turn up. The lender is likely to be at court to try and get an order of possession, but if you present an acceptable offer to repay your mortgage arrears, proceedings could be stopped by the judge. If you can´t afford to pay the full amount back, then make a reasonable offer to clear your mortgage arrears, and you may be in luck.

9. Your rights and the bailiffs

Bailiffs have to give you seven days to vacate your premises and can use reasonable force to enter the premises. Remember that the lender may have the legal right to repossess the house, but not the contents, so an agreement must be reached with them as to when you can collect your goods.

10. Beware sell to let schemes

Schemes which offer to buy your house and rent it back to you can leave you with serious debt problems. Always read the small print and make sure you can afford the rent. You could end up being evicted if you default on the rent payments. Smelling desperation, sell to let companies will also be offer you a price which is far less than your house is worth.

If you are falling behind with your mortgage payments or have mortgage arrears or serious debt problems, contact debts.org free on 0844 277 7999 or fill in the online claim form. If you want to reclaim bank charges, claim for mis sold payment protection insurance or PPI, or arrange a Debt Management Plan (DMP) or an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) in London, Liverpool, Burnley, Luton, Dudley, Derby, Reading, Plymouth, Southampton, Preston, Milton Keynes, Sunderland, Bournemouth, Southend-on-Sea, Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Oxford, Poole, Blackpool, York, West Bromwich, Peterborough, Stockport, Brighton, Slough, Gloucester, Watford, Rotherham, Cambridge, Exeter, Sheffield, Bristol, Hull, Bradford, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Stoke, Leicester or any other town or city in the UK.

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10 tips to avoid house repossession

posted by debts.org at 23:51

1. Mortgage arrears and serious debt problems

Millions of people in the UK are facing serious debt problems, mortgage arrears and even home repossession. If you ignore the bank statements and the letters from mortgage lenders, your debt problems will get worse. You will find a debt solution if you make the effort to contact a debt advice company. You can get out of debt at little or no cost in the UK today, and there are several options available to you if you are suffering minor or serious debt problems.

2. Check all mortgage paperwork

Take the time to sit down and go through every bit of paperwork you have relating to your mortgage. Read the small print so that you thoroughly understand the terms and conditions and check when you will be in danger of house repossession if your mortgage is in arrears.

3. Address your mortgage arrears

Once you understand the seriousness of your mortgage arrears, you can take steps to get debt advice or debt help in the UK. Don´t bury your head in the sand but make sure you understand the extent of your mortgage debt problem before contacting a debt advice company who will help you and give you free guidance.

4. Monthly mortgage payment debt

Find out how much you are expected to pay monthly, when this is likely to change, whether it has gone up recently and whether it is likely to go up when your mortgage is next reviewed.

5. Be honest with yourself

Be honest with yourself and with your lender to avoid more mortgage arrears and debt problems. Can you continue paying your current monthly payment? Can you afford it over the next few months, and more importantly, if your mortgage increases again, can you manage the payments?

6. Show commitment and willing to your mortgage lender

Check how many payments you have missed. If your mortgage arrears are the result of unemployment, redundancy or a short-term debt problem which may be resolved in a couple of months, contact your mortgage lender and explain this. If you have mortgage arrears and debt problems which are likely to change for the better, offer to pay your missed payments back over
6 months. Take the bull by the horns and contact your lender before he starts to add interest and costs to any mortgage arrears. Any arrangement you make to clear your mortgage debt, you must stick to – so make sure it is achievable before offering to pay off the amount you owe.

7. Mortgage is a priority payment

Understand that paying your mortgage is a priority payment. A mortgage loan is secured against your home, which means if you fail to keep up the mortgage repayments, you could face house repossession. If you are also struggling with credit card debts, store card debts or bank loan debts, pay your mortgage before paying unsecured debts.

8. Work out your total debts and take advice

Work out how much your total debts amount to. Include everything in your calculations including charges, late payment fees, court costs. Pay the arrears back as soon as you possibly can. Consider selling household goods, cashing in an insurance policy, selling a car or caravan, or even taking a part-time job in the evenings to clear your mortgage debt.

9. Going to court for mortgage debts

If your lender is taking you to court, write down your side of the case, to present to the judge on the day of the court case. Put down concrete proposals which are manageable and outline how much you can pay back each month to clear your mortgage arrears. Put your case across clearly to the judge, and there is every chance that your house will not be repossessed.

10. Repayment mortgage debts

If you are struggling to pay back a repayment mortgage, where you will pay back the amount you borrowed plus interest, ask your lender if he can arrange an interest free mortgage for 6 months, which should give you some breathing space. This will make your payments less for that amount of time. Lenders will treat you much more sympathetically if you make a sensible suggestion for repayment, before they start to threaten you with court action or house repossession.

Debts.org helps people to get out of debt, and gives free debt advice, arranges Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs), Debt Management Plans (DMPs) and can even reclaim unfair bank charges or mis-sold payment protection insurance in Liverpool, Luton, Newcastle, Stoke, Colchester, Oldham, Burnley, Manchester, St.Helens, Crawley, Blackburn, Sutton Coldfield, Eastbourne, Portsmouth, Northampton, Brighton, Stockport, Poole, Oxford, Middlesbrough, Bolton, Ipswich, York, Telford, Rotherham, Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Sheffield, Bristol, Hull, Nottingham and every other town and city in the UK. Call our free debts advice helpline on 0844 277 7999 or fill in the online form.

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Top ten list for first time home buyers

posted by debts.org at 23:44

If you are a first time home buyer, make sure you get the right advice and help with your mortgage arrangements. There are so many mortgage deals available nowadays, that you need to shop around and make sure the mortgage you choose is the right one for you. Thousands of people get into debt and seek debt advice every year when they fall behind with their mortgages and some even face home repossession. Make sure you get the mortgage to suit you and don´t be palmed off with the first one that is discussed. This is your house, your future and your mortgage, and by taking your time to find the right mortgage you can avoid debt problems in the future.

1. Help and advice to avoid debt

Seek the help and advice of a good mortgage broker who will explain Zero mortgage deposits, capped rate mortgages, fixed rate mortgages and flexible mortgages. Don´t be afraid to ask questions. Buying a house is probably the biggest purchase you will ever make in your life so take your time. Choosing the wrong mortgage could mean you end up with serious debt problems later on. This is one of the biggest decisions you will ever have to make in your life, so make it carefully.

2. Arrange a mortgage before you start searching for a house

One of the biggest mistakes first time home buyers make is to find their ´perfect´ property before they know how much they can borrow. The risk then is that they over-borrow and find themselves in debt and seeking debt advice or help a couple of years or months down the line. Firstly, find out if you can get a mortgage and how much for. You can then apply for an agreement in principle. This will cost you nothing and will not tie you to any one lender, but will give you a good idea of how much money you can borrow. Take your time to get the right mortgage deal for you and you can avoid debt problems further down the line.

3. Understand your finances to avoid serious debt problems

Go through your finances with a fine toothcomb to make sure you can afford the repayments of any mortgage you take on. Serious debt problems can arise if you borrow too much money and then have problems paying it back. If you choose the wrong mortgage terms and conditions you could end up facing house repossession and seeking debt advice and help. Contact Experian or Equifax for a copy of your personal credit history and if your credit rating is low, take steps to improve it.

4. Bad debt and poor credit rating

Often, only after first time buyers have submitted a mortgage application do they find out about their poor credit rating. This can create problems with borrowing money, and it is a good idea to check your credit rating before applying for a mortgage. Save time by checking your credit rating early on, and avoid debt problems later. If your credit rating is low, you may not even get a mortgage, or if you do, you could end up getting less than you bargained for.

5. Budget for the extras to avoid debt

Bear in mind that your new home, even if it has been recently built, will need furniture, and an older property may need extensive renovation. Consider all the extras before making an offer, and make sure you can afford it. Stretching yourself to afford an expensive house may seem like a good idea at the outset, but can cause serious debt problems and even house repossession later on. In your list of expenses, also include stamp duty, duty land tax, surveying and conveyancing. Look out for hidden extras which can trip you up if you don´t consider them at the time of taking a mortgage.

6. Monthly household bills

When you buy a house, you need to consider all of the ongoing expenses that come with it. In addition to monthly mortgage repayments, you will be liable to pay council tax, service charges, household repairs and utility bills such as gas and electricity. Work out how much the monthly bills are likely to be before applying for a mortgage. You can look on several utility comparison sites on the internet to give you an idea of how much you are likely to be paying in your area each month for gas and electricity.

7. Information to avoid council tax debt

If you are viewing the property with an estate agent, ask them which council tax band the property is in, to avoid debt problems later on, and how the local authority levies the charges. Council tax is a contentious issue, and you don´t want any nasty surprises with high charges after you have bought the property. Check the local rates bills before committing yourself to buying a property, and make sure everything is clear in your mind before going ahead.

8. Research the area to avoid debt when you want to re-sell

We have all heard the horror stories about house prices plummeting after new roads are built close to properties, or groups of travellers come to reside on your doorstep, but you can help avoid debt problems in the future by researching the area where you want to buy. Look at what is selling and for how much. All sorts of factors can add value to your property. Is it close to a bus route for example, close to shops and amenities, and close to schools? All of these things will add value to your property, meaning you will avoid negative equity in the future.

9. Local transport to work

When viewing properties, ask about local transport links and work out how much time you will add or lose by moving to the area. If you are moving to the suburbs of a city because property is cheaper, don´t lose out by having to pay sky-high transport prices to commute. Buyers can often be swept away by the feel-good factor when viewing their ´dream home´ only to realise a few months down the line that it is in the wrong area or that local amenities are not up to scratch.

10. Clear your debts and feel at home

If you have any outstanding debts, or debt problems, seek debt advice in the UK before applying for a mortgage. You may be instructed to clear these debts before you are offered a mortgage, to ensure you don´t suffer more debt problems in the future. Have a good walk around the area to make sure it is the right place for you to buy a house. Are there shops, pubs, leisure facilities close by? Would you feel safe walking home at night? Don´t make any split-second decisions just because you like the property. There are a lot more things to consider.Debts.org is a specialist debts advice company who can help you get out of debt, offer you a debt management plan, an Independent Voluntary Arrangement, reclaim unfair bank charges or mis-sold payment protection insurance in Liverpool, Leeds, London, Preston, Stockport, Middlesbrough, Oxford, Poole, Telford, West Bromwich, York, Slough, Gloucester, Cambridge, Exeter, Rotherham, Reading, Nottingham, Burnley, Bradford, Leicester, Bristol, Hull or any other UK city.

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5 ways to avoid house repossession in a recession

posted by debts.org at 23:30

With the credit crunch snapping at everyone´s ankles, and talk of the recession continuing well into 2010, it is little wonder so many people in the UK are suffering debt problems and seeking debt advice. If you are trying to sell your house to avoid home repossession, you need to make your house as attractive as possible to increase the chances of a quick sale. You may have heard the stories about the smell of fresh coffee brewing or the aroma of bread being baked, helping to create an atmosphere most home buyers are tempted by. Here are five tips to consider when putting your house on the market:

1. Stay neutral to sell quickly

Stick with neutral colours. You may have blood red walls, lime green carpets and swan murals painted on the ceiling, but the best way to present your house is to give it a lick of neutral paint, which will make it look clean and fresh. Good colours to paint the walls include: cream, white with a hint of pink or stone. A straightforward paint job won´t cost you much money, and could make all the difference. Serious debt problems can be avoided if you manage to sell your house quickly.

2. Stay clean to avoid debt problems

You may need to sell your house quickly because of mounting debt problems, bankruptcy or the threat of house repossession. You may have massive credit card debts or serious store card debts and need to release some money. Remember that a clean home is an inviting home, so when you are expecting prospective buyers, keep the house spotless. Put all clutter out of the way and make sure the house is aired and smells fresh.

3. Stay light and bright and avoid house repossession

A bright and light house will feel and look bigger, and impress any potential buyer. Where possible, arrange viewings when the sun is shining through the windows of main rooms such as the lounge. Open all curtains and blinds to allow the light in. Simple measures like this can boost the chances of a quick sale, and can help you to solve your debt problems without seeking specialist advice or arranging a debt management plan.

4. Staying alive to sell your house quickly

Keep plants and flowers looking fresh, alive and healthy before prospective buyers arrive at your house. Cut-flowers will make the house look colourful, bright and fresh. By not presenting your home well, you could end up with the house being repossessed, or minor debt problems could become serious debt problems if you fail to sell your house quickly.

5. Modern and Contemporary

You don´t need to spend a lot of money to make your house look more modern and contemporary. Chic-looking houses sell quicker. Young buyers will be impressed with well-placed finishing touches such as rugs and blinds, which can improve the look of your house. You will be amazed how cheaply you can make massive improvements to the look of your home. If you are suffering debt problems or you are looking or debt advice in London, Manchester, Luton, Portsmouth, Northampton, Preston, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Sunderland, Swindon, Ipswich, Telford, Bolton, Stockport, Watford, Rotherham, Cambridge, Exeter, York, Derby, Preston, Burnley, Bournemouth, Brighton, Liverpool or anywhere in the UK, and you don´t know which way to turn, debts.org can help you. For free, confidential advice about how you can get out of debt call or free advice line on 0844 277 7999 or fill in the online form.

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