There are a range of different mortgage products available on the market, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most common types:
– repayment mortgages: these require borrowers to pay back both the original loan amount and the interest accrued over that time. This is the most common type of mortgage product
– interest-only mortgages: these allow borrowers to repay only the interest on the loan each month, and not the actual loan amount. This can be helpful in reducing monthly payments, but remember that you’ll still have to pay back the original loan amount at some point. This may be beneficial to higher rate tax payers. They could use the money saved to fund a pension which they will get higher rate tax relief. They could then use the tax free element (25%) to pay off the capital.
– fixed rate mortgages: as mentioned earlier, these offer borrowers a set interest rate for the duration of the fixed term. This can be helpful in budgeting, as you’ll know exactly how much your monthly payments will be
– variable-rate mortgages: as mentioned earlier, these have a floating interest rate which goes up and down in line with prevailing market rates. This can be risky if rates rise significantly, but it also offers the potential for savings if they fall. Monthly payments on a variable mortgage will also change accordingly
It’s important to remember that no matter what type of mortgage you choose, any outstanding debt will still need to be paid off in full at some point – usually when your home is sold.