HOMEBUYERS are strapping in for a bumpy ride.
With interest rates rising and more than a decade of cheap borrowing coming to an abrupt end, mortgage payers are worried about what to do.
Repayments were already rising due to higher interest rates aimed at combatting inflation, then the fallout from Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget spooked markets further.
It caused lenders to pull fixed-rate deals off the market over fears about the cost of borrowing.
More than 1,500 mortgages were withdrawn in the space of two days.
Average rates yesterday hit six per cent on the remaining two-year and five-year fixed deals for the first time in 14 years — and experts say there are likely to be further increases.
This raises questions such as: Should you pay a charge to get out of your existing deal now and sign up to a new fixed-rate mortgage before the rate climbs even higher?
The Sun’s Head of Consumer gives her expert advice . . .
What should I do now?
Double check what type of mortgage you have — fixed or variable? — what your rate is, when the deal finishes and what the penalty might be to leave early.
If you are on a fixed deal, work out when your bills will start rising and by how much.
For example, consider someone who took out a £200,000, two-year fixed mortgage in December 2021 over a 25-year term and is paying 2.34 per cent.
They will pay £420 a month extra when their fixed term ends in December 2023, according to Moneyfacts.
Is it worth paying a penalty to get out of my existing deal?
Many lenders will let you lock into an offer three to six months before your current deal ends.
It is worth doing your sums either way, but Nick Morrey, technical director at mortgage brokers Coreco, says: “It’s not an easy calculation.”
If you are considering leaving your current deal early, you will have to factor in any early repayment charge, plus any fee for taking out a new mortgage.
And that’s before you start comparing the rate of your existing mortgage with a new one.
A good starting point to help you do the sums is MoneySavingExpert’s Ditch Your Fix calculator (bit.ly/3T2QEm1).
What’s better, a fixed or variable deal?
Everyone needs to consider their own personal circum-stances to find the best mortgage to meet their needs.
Variable and tracker mortgages may currently look cheaper than a fixed-rate deal, but they will rise if — or more likely when — the base rate goes up again next month.
Those who value the security of knowing how much they will be paying each month should opt for a fixed rate.
Mortgages can be confusing but a broker can help you navigate the maze.
They may earn commission from lenders after arranging a mortgage, and some will also charge you a fee, which will either be a flat rate or a percentage of the amount you want to borrow.
Make sure you speak to a whole-of-the-market broker, so they can access all the deals available, not just a selected few.
You should always check that your broker is authorised to give mortgage advice by consulting the Financial Services Register.
Should I plough my rainy day fund into reducing my mortgage?
Check what fees or penalties you may face for paying extra off your mortgage.
Many lenders let you overpay ten per cent of the balance each year without penalty and paying off that bit extra could bring your payments and interest down.
But before you plough money into your mortgage, make sure you pay off more expensive debts, such as credit cards, and have enough money set aside to pay three to six months’ worth of essential bills.
I’m a first-time buyer, what should I do?
It can seem an especially scary time to take that first leap into home ownership, even with the threshold for paying stamp duty for first-time buyers now £425,000.
But that does not automatically mean that buying a house is off the cards.
Nick says that waiting in case property prices fall is not necessarily a smart move.
He adds: “My advice to first-time buyers is if you are in a position to buy and you can afford the mortgage and you are not planning on selling it in the near future, you should strongly consider going ahead.”
What should I do if I am struggling to pay my mortgage?
Get in contact with your lender.
Nick says: “They have a duty of care to make sure you are aware of what your options are and to take steps to try to assist you where they can.”
You can also get free one-to-one debt counselling help from Citizens Advice, StepChange or National Debtline.