Fee Free Mortgage Advice - Independent Advisor Weston-super-Mare, Bristol, Somerset and UK

The Better Mortgage Company

Independent Advisor Weston-super-Mare, Bristol, Somerset and UK

When making a big decision, it’s human nature to seek advice from those who know what they’re doing, whether it is choosing your next car or scoping your next holiday destination. Buying a house is one of the biggest transactions you’ll ever make, so it makes sense to speak to an mortgage adviser before you get started. 

Our goal is to help clients save time and energy, and our personal, tailored approach ensures that every client receives tailored guidance that is specific to their distinct financial circumstances and objectives.

We are open 7 days a week, try out our chat facility in the bottom of our website, give us a call on 01173 710062 or send an old fashioned email using our Contact Us quick form.

Worle, Weston-super-Mare Remortgage Advice Somerset

Did you know? Becoming a qualified local mortgage advisor in the UK requires a combination of education, certification, and continuous professional development, as well as a commitment to adhere to ethical and regulatory standards. Our team cover the M5 corridor; Bristol is 19 miles away from Weston-super-Mare, Almondsbury is 18 miles, Winterbourne 15 miles, Long Ashton 14 miles, Portishead/Clevedon is 11 miles, Nailsea just 8 miles and closest of all Worle is only 4 miles from the town centre.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx-q0N2XZPg

Becoming a qualified mortgage advisor in the UK involves a comprehensive training process that aims to equip aspiring professionals with the necessary skills, knowledge, and expertise to advise clients on their mortgage options. This process typically starts with obtaining a relevant educational qualification, such as a degree in finance or economics.

Once the educational requirement is fulfilled, individuals must complete a mortgage advising certification program, such as the CeMAP (Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice) or equivalent, recognized by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This certification program covers the key areas of mortgage advice, including the mortgage market, legislation, and regulations, as well as financial mathematics, product knowledge, and communication skills.

Upon successful completion of the certification program, individuals must complete a minimum of 20 hours of structured continuing professional development (CPD) annually to maintain their qualification and stay up-to-date with the latest industry developments.

In addition, mortgage advisors must also pass an FCA fit and proper test, which assesses their knowledge of ethical and regulatory requirements and their ability to provide competent and unbiased advice to clients.

One of our Better Mortgage independent mortgage advisers provides a more comprehensive, impartial, personalized, expert, and time-saving service than a lender or a bank, making them a valuable resource for anyone seeking advice on their mortgage options.

Local Better Mortgages - First Time Buyers? Let's chat

There are many advantages of avoiding the internet or high street lenders - here's some great reasons to speak with us here at Better Mortgages:

1. We have broader product knowledge: Independent mortgage advisors have access to a wider range of mortgage products from a variety of lenders, whereas banks and lenders typically only offer their own products. This allows independent advisors to provide more comprehensive advice and recommend the most suitable mortgage options for a client's individual circumstances.
2. We offer unbiased advice: Independent mortgage advisors have no affiliation to any particular lender or bank and therefore provide impartial and unbiased advice, whereas banks and lenders may have a vested interest in promoting their own products.
3. Very personal service: Independent mortgage advisors work closely with clients to understand their individual financial circumstances and needs, and tailor their advice accordingly. This level of 121 service is often not available from banks or lenders, or out of office hours.
4. Expert guidance: Independent mortgage advisors are trained and regulated to provide expert guidance and advice on the mortgage market, which can help clients navigate the complex process of securing a mortgage and make informed decisions.
5. Effective time management: Independent mortgage advisors can save clients time by undertaking much of the research and paperwork involved in securing a mortgage, freeing up their time to focus on other important matters.

For a first time buyer in England, what advantages are there in the home buying process, considering there will be no property chain:

Improved bargaining power: A chain-free buyer is often viewed as a more attractive proposition by sellers, as they are seen as less likely to encounter complications during the transaction. This can provide a first-time buyer with improved bargaining power when negotiating the price and terms of the sale.

Time is of the essence: A chain-free transaction eliminates the need to wait for other buyers and sellers to complete their own transactions, which can significantly speed up the home buying process.

Increased certainty: Without the uncertainty of other transactions impacting the completion of your own, a chain-free purchase provides a higher degree of certainty and reduces the risk of delays.

Cost savings: Chain-free transactions can often result in lower costs, such as lower legal fees and reduced stamp duty costs as first-time buyers are exempt from paying stamp duty on properties up to £425,000 (This part I'm unsure about as it's been a while since I've written for this industry)

Fewer negotiations: A chain-free transaction eliminates the need for negotiations with other parties in the chain, which can simplify the home buying process.

10 STEPS TO BUYING YOUR FIRST HOME

Budgeting and pre-approval: Determine how much you can afford to spend on a property, and consider getting pre-approval (Referred to as an agreement or decision in principle) from a lender by talking with a mortgage broker to ensure you have a clear idea of your budget.

Property search: Start searching for properties that meet your needs and budget. Consider using an estate agent, or searching online for properties available for sale.

Offer and acceptance: Once you have found a property you wish to purchase, make an offer to the seller. If your offer is accepted, you will need to instruct a solicitor to start the legal process and instruct your mortgage broker\lender to start the full application process

Home survey: Arrange for a home survey to assess the condition of the property. Different types of home surveys are available, including a basic condition report, homebuyer report, and full building survey.

Stamp duty: Calculate the amount of stamp duty you need to pay, taking into account any exemptions or reliefs available, such as the first-time buyer's exemption.

EPC: Obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the property, which provides information on its energy efficiency and environmental impact, the seller should be able to provide you with this

Legal work: Your solicitor will carry out various legal checks and negotiations, including reviewing the contract of sale, title deeds, and any special conditions or warranties.

Effective negotiation: Negotiate with the seller or their estate agent to agree on the terms of the sale, such as the price, completion date, and any other conditions.

Bridging loans: Consider whether a bridging loan is required to help finance the purchase if the completion date of the sale of your current property and the purchase of the new property do not coincide. Bridging loans can be expensive and it is important to fully understand the terms and conditions, including any penalties for early repayment.

Exchange of contracts and completion: Once the legal work and negotiations are complete, the contracts for the sale and purchase are signed and exchanged, and the completion date is set. On exchange of contracts you must insure the building as you will be responsible for he building and on the completion date, the buyer pays the balance of the purchase price and takes ownership of the property and usually moves into their new home, which is usually the most exciting part.

The process of saving for a home deposit using a Lifetime ISA, as outlined on the UK government's website, can be described as follows:

Open a Lifetime ISA: To start saving for a home deposit using a Lifetime ISA, you'll need to open an account with a government-authorised provider⁴

Make contributions: You can contribute up to £4,000 per tax year into your Lifetime ISA, and the government will add a 25% bonus on top of your contributions, up to a maximum of £1,000 per tax year.

Wait until you are ready to buy: You can use the savings in your Lifetime ISA to buy a home once you have reached the age of 60, or to save for retirement.

Using the example of a property on the market for £250,000 with a 5% deposit requirement, you would need to save £12,500 for the deposit. If you contributed the maximum amount of £4,000 into your Lifetime ISA every tax year and received the maximum government bonus of £1,000 per year, it would take approximately three years to reach the deposit amount, assuming no interest is earned on the savings.

According to findings from Legal & General¹, almost three quarters of consumers seek mortgage advice to help them find the right mortgage deal, and 95% of those surveyed would recommend that their friends and family seek an adviser. 

Despite this however, there are still many homebuyers that go direct to lenders, potentially missing out on more suitable mortgage deals and lacking the vital advice that can help them ensure a secure future for their loved ones. You might already have a mortgage and be looking to remortgage – how do you know you’re getting the most appropriate one for you?

Your bank or building society may offer you a tempting mortgage deal – but without looking around properly, it’s easy into committing to something that you may later regret. 

This is where the real value of a mortgage adviser shows – we are able to look across the market at hundreds to thousands of mortgage deals and listen to your exact circumstances to recommend the most suitable deal for you. Not everyone is the same, and we listen before giving bespoke advice, based on years of experience. 

Protecting you and your family

It’s important to protect you and your family for the future too – by going it alone, often you’ll miss out on vital advice on what’s out there to help ensure your home remains yours, even when life doesn’t go to plan. 

The average household is just 24 days from the breadline, should you lose your main source of income² and over 35% of homebuyers surveyed by Legal & General³ said that they were concerned about their family’s financial security if one of them were to die or lose an income. 

When making such a big decision to buy a home, it’s vital to have a backup plan in place for you and your family’s peace of mind, but the range of protection insurances out there can seem overwhelming, and expensive. We will use our expertise to listen to your exact circumstances and recommend the protection that will benefit you and your family. 

Six Reasons to Seek Mortgage, Protection & Insurance Advice

• Greater peace of mind – it is the role of your adviser to help you make the right financial decisions, based on your needs and circumstances.
• Competitive deals – we have visibility and access to a wide range of mortgage lenders and insurance providers, giving you greater choice.
• Benefit from the experience – Our advisers are fully qualified to help you with your borrowing needs, and act in line with Financial Conduct Authority regulations.  
• Faster & more efficient - We can help you with the details of your mortgage application, and we will aim to be accurate and timely.
• Act In Your Interests– we act truly in your own interests, listening to your circumstances and only recommending what’s right for you.  
• Lasting protection and security – we will explain which insurance policies are most applicable to you to make an informed judgement to protect you and your family. 

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.

There may be a fee for mortgage advice. We will not charge a fee for protection advice. 

Availability and cost of cover is subject to criteria such as age, lifestyle, current health and medical history.

Sources 

1   https://www.legalandgeneral.com/adviser/files/mortgage-club/_pdfs/value-mortgage-advice-2019-v14b-adviser.pdf 

2   https://www.legalandgeneral.com/adviser/protection/news-insight/deadline-to-breadline/ 

3  https://www.legalandgeneral.com/adviser/files/mortgage-club/_pdfs/value-mortgage-advice-2019-v14b-adviser.pdf 

4 https://www.gov.uk/lifetime-isa

 

Puppy Tales Homepage

Puppy Training Classes Frimley and Camberley

We are here to support you every step of the way, from owner and puppy training to socialisation tools, we provide a range of coaching services to help you and your puppy thrive. Begin by contacting us online for any of our instructional courses in the Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire areas.

From canine aggressive, nervous behaviour to food scavenging, destructive actions and separation anxiety, we offer 121 training in your home. Puppy wizardry visits are for pooches under 6 months old in Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. 

You will benefit from 20 years' puppy development experience. We provide a personalised regime for you both to follow with all the support you need in between tutoring sessions, call us on 07989 265522
Puppy School classes are held in Frimley, Camberley and Farnborough on a 6 week schedule every 2 weeks, concurrent on Monday Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

Puppy Trainer Farnborough Hampshire and Surrey

We understand that adopting a dog who is "reactive" may come as a shock and a daunting challenge, but your fur baby we flip chaos and concern into calm young dogs and our reviews are provided by humans on behalf of their barky baby. 

Please get in touch and share the traits to describe your puppy training needs; mention which of these sound familiar: Ignoring you, or refusal of commands, reactive and barking behaviour, pulling, toilet training potty issues, play biting mouthing/nipping, destruction and chewing. 

If your doggy displays separation anxiety, fear, aggression, digging in the garden, stealing items/kids toys, destructive to furniture, we know how much living with a new puppy can evoke emotions and feelings from first time and experienced dog owners alike. Do send us a message today and let's chat!

Surrey Puppy Tales Training and Classes in Camberley, Frimley and Farnborough

We offer three different ways to help you learn to train your puppy: Under 6 months of age, choose the Wizard 121 training in your own home. We travel to you in and around the catchment areas of Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire and visit your home for intensive coaching sessions.

For puppies under 20 weeks of age we offer concurrent puppy school classes which are on a rolling 12 week schedule throughout the year: Monday Tuesday and Wednesday evening classes, once every 2 weeks, (except bank holidays).

Coming soon: Online training resources for you to learn along at home, ideal for owners with a hectic lifestyle with no set routine.

 

Young Dog Behaviourist 121 Consultations – Puppy Wizardry

In-person one on one training allows for personalised attention and tailored training plans. Owners work directly with our trainers to develop a plan that meets their puppy’s specific needs. This can be especially beneficial for puppies with unique or complex behavioural issues.

We travel throughout the regions of Surrey including Guildford, Woking, and Ewell, and over in Hampshire around Basingstoke, Farnborough, and Aldershot areas.

Common Puppy Behaviour Actions Explained for Young Dogs Under 6 Months

As a new puppy owner, you may be surprised by some of the behaviours that your furry friend displays. From biting and chewing to excessive barking and house soiling, it can be overwhelming to deal with a young dog’s misbehaviour. However, it’s important to understand that these behaviours are often normal for puppies and can be addressed with proper training and guidance.

Be patient and consistent with your home training, we are here to help you learn the tools to tackle each of the actions below:

Ignoring, Refusal of Commands – Distraction with positive reinforcement

One of the most frustrating puppy behaviours is when your furry friend ignores your commands or refuses to obey. It’s important to remember that puppies are still learning and may not understand what you’re asking of them. It’s also possible that your puppy may be distracted or experiencing anxiety.

To address ignoring or refusal of commands, it’s important to start with basic training. Use positive reinforcement techniques to reward good behaviour and provide clear, consistent commands.

 

Reactive Behaviour – Noisy reactions and barking through anxiety or fear

Puppies may also display reactive behaviour, which can include barking, growling, or snapping. This behaviour may be a sign of fear or anxiety, or it may be a result of requiring more socialisation with other puppers,

Excessive barking can be a nuisance for both you and your neighbours. Puppies may bark out of excitement, boredom, or anxiety. To address excessive barking, it’s important to identify the root cause and provide appropriate mental and physical stimulation for your puppy. To address reactive behaviour, it’s important to think of ways to provide your puppy with exposure to new experiences. Calm behaviour should be vocally reinforced, maybe with the odd treat 

Pulling on the lead, trying different collars and leashes

Leash pulling is a common problem among young dogs. It can make walks frustrating and even dangerous if your puppy pulls too hard. To address leash pulling, it’s important to provide proper leash training and use positive reinforcement techniques to reward good behaviour. Seek the help of a professional trainer if necessary.

Toilet Training – Potty and Pooping Inside

Inappropriate elimination behaviour is a common problem among puppies. To address toilet training problems, it’s important to provide consistent and patient training. Use positive reinforcement techniques to reward good behaviour and consider crate training or confinement when you’re not able to supervise your puppy.

 

Biting, Play Biting, Mouthing, and Nipping – Destruction and Destructive Chewing

Puppies do regular biting, play biting, mouthing, and nipping behaviour as they explore their environment and learn to interact with other dogs and people. However, it’s important to address this behaviour early on to prevent it from becoming a habit. Destruction and destructive chewing behaviour can be frustrating and even costly. Puppies may display this behaviour out of boredom, anxiety, or teething.

 

Learn mental and physical stimulation for your puppy with 121 training or on a 6 week schooling program with Puppy Tales – Send us a message today for the latest start dates.

Baby doggy behaviour can be challenging at times, but it’s important to remember that most behaviours are normal for young dogs and can be addressed with proper training and guidance. Use positive reinforcement techniques to reward good behaviour, provide appropriate mental and physical stimulation, and seek the help of a professional trainer if necessary. With patience and consistency, you can help your furry friend become a well-behaved companion for years to come.

 

Overly Guarding Food or Toys

Your pooch may display overly guarding behaviour, which can include growling or snapping when someone approaches their food or toys. This behaviour can be a sign of anxiety or a lack of trust.

Jumping up behaviour can be a nuisance and even dangerous for some individuals. Young dogs may jump up out of excitement or a desire for attention, playing and stimulation are effective to prevent boredom-related jumping and bouncing.

 

Chasing your Puppy – Escaping the House

Are you familiar with chasing behaviour? This can include chasing after people, other dogs, or even cars. This behaviour can be dangerous and should be addressed as soon as possible.Then there’s the escaping behaviour, which can include digging, chewing, or jumping over fences or doors. These actions can be dangerous and may result in your puppy getting lost or injured.

 

Separation Anxiety and Chewing Furniture and Items in your home

Chewing behaviour is normal for puppies, but it can be frustrating when your furry friend chews on inappropriate items like furniture or shoes. This behaviour can be a result of teething, boredom, or anxiety. Separation anxiety is a common problem among dogs of all ages, and can be difficult to manage. Training in the first 4-6 months is essential to ensure your furry pet is happy when you leave the home.