The following topics are covered below:
What is a cashback mortgage?
Cashback mortgages are offers that can be made on any type of mortgage – they are not confined to a single type of mortgage or borrower. As a result, you may be eligible to receive cashback if you take up a fixed or variable interest rate mortgage or even a buy to let.
Some lenders, however, limit their cashback offers to specific sorts of borrowers, most notably first-time purchasers. As a result, there will be criteria to determine eligibility for the payback. For example, if you take out a joint mortgage, both borrowers may need to be first-time buyers to obtain the funds; however, lenders may have varying definitions of what constitutes a first-time buyer.
Some lenders provide cashback mortgages to entice those buying a home or remortgaging. The lender pays the borrower a cash lump payment in this type of transaction.
Cashback is not only available for first-time homebuyers. Some lenders also provide cashback on remortgage arrangements; you may even be given the option of receiving cashback or having the cost of legal expenses reimbursed by the lender. The cashback is given to your solicitor on the day you receive your mortgage, and the solicitor can pass it on to you – or you can have them keep the money and deduct it from their fee. On the other hand, other lenders may only pay the payback a month or two after the loan is completed.
Benefits of cashback mortgage?
If your existing offer is nearing the end of its deal period, you may wish to investigate this option. There may, however, be ordinary remortgage options that give a lower interest rate or are less expensive overall. Buying a house may be costly, and receiving a cash lump sum upon completion can help finance some of the costs of being a homeowner, such as purchasing furniture or paying for improvements. A cashback mortgage might also help to offset financing and conveyancing fees. Although it is still vital to examine the entire cost of the mortgage and the initial interest rate given, that extra cash may be helpful to some home buyers.
You must meet the lender’s specified criteria for the cashback mortgage you wish to apply for. For example, this may need you to be a bank customer or have a specific current account, whereas some lenders only provide cashback mortgages to first-time buyers.
Disadvantages and advantages cashback mortgages?
Cashback mortgages frequently feature higher interest rates than normal counterparts from the same institution or different products from a different lender. As a result, while you may receive a cash lump payment, you may end up paying for it through a higher interest rate or a product fee. Product costs might quickly deplete a portion or all of your cashback mortgage bonus. If the cash isn’t critical to your remortgage for a property purchase, you might find that taking out a different mortgage with a lower interest rate is a better long-term solution.
When you take out a cashback mortgage, you are given money in exchange for your mortgage. The cashback amount could be a percentage of the loan amount (for example, 1%) or a fixed amount (for
example, £500). You will receive the money after you have completed the task, not before. This provides a lump amount to assist with expenses such as furniture and repairs to a new property.
Are mortgage cashback offers good value?
With so many banks now giving cashback on mortgages, it’s no surprise that customers, particularly first-time buyers, are being enticed by these frequently substantial lump sums of cash. But, before you jump in, assess whether these offerings reflect the best long-term value. Bank of Ireland started the mortgage cashback craze in June 2015; Ireland’s main lenders offer some type of cashback arrangement. So, whether you’re trying to purchase your first home or transfer mortgages, it’s critical to shop around to ensure you’re getting the best deal possible. So, who offers what in cashback, and are these offers long-term value?
Buyers are typically granted cashback on completion through their conveyancers. Still, while the money is lovely to have, it’s crucial to evaluate the overall cost before choosing a package. Cashback packages frequently conceal uncompetitive interest rates, and you may discover that, after doing the math, these seemingly generous bargains don’t match up against the best rates on the market. Generally, the higher the mortgage amount, the greater the importance of the rate and the lesser the importance of fees and cashback.
Can I switch mortgage deals or provided if I take a cashback offer?
The primary motivation for switching is to save money. For example, if you’ve been on a fixed-rate mortgage after the term expires, you’ll be transferred to the lender’s normal variable rate, which is extremely costly. The advantages of switching mortgages can vary based on your circumstances and aspirations; however, it may enable you to:
- Reduce your monthly payments.
- Save a lot of money in interest.
- Take advantage of fixed repayments or additional flexibility.
- Reduce the length of your mortgage.
- Overpaying on your mortgage
- Quickly pay off your mortgage
- Release equity in your house, for example, for home upgrades or debt reduction.
Nothing stops you from switching mortgages as frequently as you like because lenders are not authorized to take back any money supplied. However, there may be limitations about the overpayment, and if you are on a fixed-term contract, you will be subject to breakage fines.
Compare mortgage rates
Cashback mortgages often include all regular mortgage expenses, such as an arrangement charge, valuation fee, and legal fees, albeit not all fees apply to all mortgages. In addition, cashback mortgage rates differ from one lender to another; hence, you need to speak with a mortgage broker or negotiate through a mortgage broker to get the best rates. There are also countless mortgage calculators online that can help make rate comparison much easier.
