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SA banks, hard hit by large numbers of home loan defaults during the recent recession, are set for a much better time in the next few years because of the quality lending “books” they are building now.
That’s the word from one of South Africa’s leading mortgage originators, who says: “The home loan business the banks are writing now is probably the best they have written in the past 10 years, and we expect it to prove very profitable within the next two to three years.
“For a start, they are already evaluating or ‘credit scoring’ potential borrowers now on the basis of a one or two percentage point expected increase in interest rates next year. And while this may disappoint many, it should ensure that those who do obtain home loans now have the financial resilience to cope with the predicted rate hikes, without defaulting and running the risk of losing their homes.”
In addition, home loan rates are currently not being discounted nearly as much as during the past few years, when borrowers in good standing could quite often secure a rate that was one or even two percentage points below the prime rate.
“What is more, there is a further shield for both banks and borrowers in the fact that there are really very few 100% loans being granted at the moment. Combined with the strict lending provisions contained in the National Credit Act, the requirement now for most homebuyers to pay a deposit of at least 10% – and usually more – offers protection against the effects of negative equity for both individual borrowers and the real estate market in general.
“Consumers who pay bigger deposits also benefit in the sense that banks will grant them loans at more favourable interest rates, which saves them money.”
Finally, profitability should be improved by the fact that the banks have streamlined the acquisition of new home loan business as far as their fixed costs go.
“Overall, we see that the lenders have stopped playing so hard for market share and started to really concentrate on the quality of their home loan business. And as this shapes up, it should serve to make them much less nervous about the home loan market, and about granting new loans – although we anticipate that these will very much continue to be granted according to the ‘new rules’ and not in the freewheeling way of the past. Borrowers will be taken seriously, as valuable customers, and that’s good news.”
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Prospective homeowners should explore their options prior to signing on the dotted line of a mortgage agreement. Probably the most critical thing to know and understand when acquiring a Home loan is to know what the various terms mean. This can be accomplished easily by asking a lot of questions and asking your estate agent to explain everything to you. Plus, some online browsing can turn up the answers to most of the questions that you might have.It’s important to look at the different types of Home loans that are available and to understand the differences among them. From a fixed rate, to a variable rate, to an interest only mortgage, the choices are many and the difference between them is big. If you don’t understand what a particular type of mortgage loan means in terms of monthly payments, as well as the duration of the payments, then you shouldn’t be signing on the dotted line.
Potential buyers should also understand the various terms or words that are employed when dealing with real estate.
If the mortgage loan that you are getting is a first time home loan, then it is the primary loan and the primary lien holder. This means that the lender of this specific loan holds the first claim against the property for repayment of the loan holder’s debt.
Home loans can be obtained at banks or with the help of a mortgage broker. Each lender assesses their own schedule of fees, offers their own range of interest rates, and their own selection of Home loan packages.
In order to qualify for a home loan, potential borrowers will need to go through a pre-qualification screening. During this stage, each borrower is expected to bring a number of financial documents to verify their information. Once they pass that stage, they will continue with the application process. Additional paperwork is completed and processed.
In order to receive approval for a home loan, the potential borrower needs to provide the following pieces of information: terms of employment, income level, level of debt, age of the applicants, and the type of home that is the intended object of purchase. Plus, the current interest rate and the size of the deposit can all influence whether or not the potential borrower is approved for the loan. The valuation of the home will also come into play as well.
When buying a home, it’s important not to bite off more than you can chew. If a homeowner fails to pay on his home loan, the lender can repossess the home and the homeowner is left with nothing, except maybe bad credit.
To apply for a loan you will have to fill out a short application form. You will then receive a FREE quote from well established, nationally recognized lenders. You do not need to decide now whether the loan is for you.
Just apply and compare the repayments to your current situation. There is no obligation on your part. If you decide that it is not for you, you simply do not have to accept the offer. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.