The property market is booming, but not for the first time, flourishing for a select group of people. Unfortunately, for those that are counted as self-employed, it is harder than ever to achieve the dream of owning your own home.
More than four million people in the UK are classified as self-employed and recent industry research found 71 percent of participants in a survey of UK freelancers, said that they are worried about saving for later life or buying a home following the pandemic, with women most likely to be affected.
There has been rapid growth in people who are their own bosses seeking advice on how to secure that ever elusive mortgage and get the first step onto the property ladder. In response, accountancy and tax platform founder Darren Fell, of Crunch, has shared his top tips on how to get a mortgage while being self-employed.
Read more: Six important documents which could cost up to £700 to replace if you lose them
Top tips from an accountant
Speak to brokers: Not all brokers will offer you the same deal and have the same connections. Shop around and get as many quotes as you can. Some lenders may have more lenient or strict lending criteria and it is important not to commit yourself to a bad deal.
Check your credit rating: Ensure your credit file is in the best possible shape by getting on the electoral roll, staying away from short-term high-interest loans and if possible staying out of your overdraft.
Make sure your accounts are up to date: To earn the best rates you can, make sure all your accounts and tax filing history is up to date. Though a struggle for some self-employed businesspeople, it pays off when applying for a mortgage.
Minimise credit checks for other insurance or credit applications: Multiple credit checks in a short space of time can reduce your overall credit score, according to some experts. Using comparison sites for insurance quotes could potentially affect your credit history as well as applying for new credit cards, as can often end up running various checks which might then affect your credit history.
Get yourself an agreement in principle: Some estate agents in charge of in-demand properties may not allow you to even view a property without a decision in principle. By getting this decision, which effectively gives you a definitive budget, you can house-hunt with confidence.
Knowing your budget and sticking to properties within it will make your mortgage application more likely to be accepted.
