Strong indications show that, after a three-year lull, the Battle of the Banks for home loan market share is about to heat up again – to the benefit of homebuyers and the property market in general…

“This month’s decision by major lender Absa to once again start accepting applications for 100% loans from mortgage originators (Mortgage Plus) is, we believe, just the first salvo in the renewed battle”

“The move will no doubt prompt counter-measures from the other banks anxious to retain and gain top quality clients, and shrewd consumers will be the real winners.”

There will no doubt be many people, he says, who believe this scenario is wishful thinking on his part, “but even now, most lenders are already offering bonds of up to 100% to their own existing clients in good standing – and bonds of 90% on average to new clients – despite their stated determination just a few months ago to insist that every potential borrower pay a sizeable deposit.

“What is more, I am not suggesting that the banks will immediately relax their lending criteria. Bond applicants will still need to have excellent credit records, low debt loads and good employment prospects in order to be approved – just now perhaps they won’t need to have such a large sum of cash on hand to pay a deposit and cover transfer costs.”

Prinsloo says that in due course – and if inflation tails down later this year as expected – the banks will probably also become more negotiable once again on interest rates.

“Meanwhile, bond applicants can at the very least expect higher levels of service and faster response times, as banks increasingly relearn that home loan borrowers are very often the most loyal consumers of their other, very profitable, banking products and services – and not just a high-risk nuisance as they have often been viewed in recent years.”

From an industry point of view, he says, the results of this shift in attitude will be an increase in the number of loans granted, and a decrease in the number of “repeat” sales for estate agents. “Indeed, originators are already reporting an increase in volumes of loans being approved over the past few weeks, and that will inexorably lead to surplus stock being absorbed and home prices starting to show real increases. In short, it will open the way to the proper recovery of the market over the next two to three years.”

Please contact us if you require any further information or would like to apply for finance:

Complete this short form online

011.327.4489 / 0861 1111 93

morne@mortgagepluscc.co.za

www.mortgagepluscc.co.za

Mortgage originators – 0861 1111 93

Qualification Matrix

Transfer and Bond Cost

With a myriad of mortgage products on the market, it is not always easy to know where to go to obtain the exact bond finance you need at the time and in the circumstances.

That is where the mortgage originator comes into the picture. “However, many people are unsure of exactly what services a mortgage originator should offer and what benefits they provide”.

The key function of a mortgage originator is to introduce a borrower to a lender and to act as a personal consultant in an attempt to help you obtain mortgage finance for a property. “The mortgage originator will apply to and negotiate with a financial institution in respect of the home loan on your behalf.”

A mortgage originator should have specialized knowledge of the various products and rates available on the market in order to give independent advice with the aim of obtaining the most suitable bond from the most appropriate mortgage lending financial institution for your particular needs. They should help you assess your affordability and explain fully and in plain language the material terms which you need to be aware of to make an informed decision.

“While you are not obliged to use their services, it can make the process much quicker because of their familiarity with the process, products, assessment yardsticks and requirements of the individual financial institutions,”

“With a mortgage originator you only have to fill out one application and they request only one set of the relevant prescribed supporting documentation, such as identity documents and salary advice slips, required by the financial institutions. They then submit the application to the various financial institutions on your behalf and try to negotiate a lower rate for you.

It is generally understood that a bond originator is able to secure a cheaper rate than if you approached the bank directly as they are on a better negotiating platform. A good mortgage originator should also follow up with the financial institutions on a regular basis and keep you informed.

Once the mortgage originator receives the various quotations, they should sit down and help you to assess your options, advising you of the pros and cons of each with your particular needs in view. “Essentially, the final decision should be yours after weighing up all your options and taking into consideration the advice and recommendations of the Mortgage Originator. Apart from providing you with information on the various mortgage products they should also be able to assist you with convincing and related costs.

The mortgage originator is usually paid a fee or commission by the lending institution with whom the loan is taken up, so the service should be free.

Remember Originators do not have control over and cannot therefore accept responsibility for credit decisions or valuations made by the mortgage lending financial institutions and is a good idea to approach a mortgage originator before you go house hunting so that you know what loan amount you will be eligible for.

Should you have any problems complaints may be addressed to the Office of the Ombudsman for Mortgage Originators which has been set up to deal with complaints against mortgage originators.

Please contact us if you require any further information or would like to apply for finance:

Complete this short form online

011.327.4489 / 0861 1111 93

morne@mortgagepluscc.co.za

www.mortgagepluscc.co.za