When looking for a mortgage, you will have the choose of different types of mortgage such as a variable-rate mortgage (such as tracker mortgages) or a fixed-rate mortgage.
In this guide we focus on the many advantages to taking out a fixed-rate mortgage. For one thing, you will be on a fixed interest rate, so you won’t have to worry about fluctuating mortgage rates over the duration of your mortgage. You will also know how much you have to pay each month. This is so you will be able to budget for your mortgage, without having to worry about sudden interest hikes over your mortgage term.
These are just some of the reasons why many people prefer fixed-rate mortgages when looking to purchase a property. Chances are, they might be preferable to you too, especially if you want to benefit from the lower mortgage rates that lenders will incentivise you with when advertising a good mortgage deal.
If you decide to take out a loan of this type, you will have to determine how long you want your interest rate fixed. In this guide, we will take a closer look at fixed-rate mortgages and the fixed-term periods you might want to consider. For a more detailed discussion about how you fix your mortgage, get in touch with our team. We have access to the whole mortgage market and will discuss your options with you.
Should I fix my mortgage?
A fixed rate mortgage provides stability in mortgage repayments. In a time when interest rates are continuing to rise, fixing your mortgage rate probably makes sense. If mortgage rates got to a point where they were dropping, it probably wouldn’t make sense to lock yourself in on a high rate if they look like they are dropping soon.
How long should I fix my mortgage for UK?
When choosing fixed rate mortgages most borrowers generally choose between a 2 or 5 year fixed mortgage, as this gives them the option to take out new mortgage deals once their term has ended.
However, your lender might also offer you other fixed periods, such as a 3-year or 10-year fixed-rate deal. In some cases, you might be offered a mortgage for a 15-year fixed period, or perhaps something over a longer period
Generally speaking, the longer the fixed-rate period lasts, the more you will have to pay in the long term. However, you will benefit when interest rates rise, as you won’t incur the price increases that will affect borrowers with tracker mortgages.
When deciding on fixed rate mortgages , there are a couple of questions to consider.
How long are you planning on living in the property?
If you are only planning on living in a property for a few years, it makes sense to consider a fixed-rate mortgage deal that matches your requirements. It may not be the best option to choose a 10-year deal, for example, if you were planning on living in the house for a shorter term. This is because early repayment charges may apply if you leave a deal early so it’s wise to consider your future plans before taking out a mortgage.
A shorter fixed period would give you more flexibility to move earlier. It would cover you if interest rates drop too. You could remortgage onto a better deal if interest rates fall, which would be a better option than sticking with the lender’s standard variable rate mortgage SVR after your fixed term ends.
Of course, if you are planning to move into a ‘forever home’, you might decide to opt for a fixed-term mortgage deal that covers a much longer period. You will pay more over time but you won’t have the hassle of remortgaging, which can be stressful for some people.
What are the current interest rates like?
When deciding how long to fix your mortgage rates, you should take the current interest rates into account.
If they are ultra-low interest rates or in a rate-rising environment, it might make sense to fix your mortgage interest rate for a longer period. You will then be locked into the lower interest rate for the duration of your mortgage.
However, if interest rates are high, and if you think they are likely to fall, you might want to decide on a shorter-term deal. This would give you the option to leave your mortgage at the end of the term and when early repayment charges apply no longer and sign up for one with hopefully lower rates of interest.
Variable rate mortgages can be worth consideration however you need to be careful as your monthly payments will go up and down as the standard variable rate increases or decreases.
You will make saving on a tracker rate mortgage compared to standard variable-rate mortgages however you need to be aware that you will have early repayment charges if you opt for a fixed-rate deal.
Speak to a mortgage broker
It’s always recommended to speak to a fee free mortgage broker. They will consider your personal circumstances, discuss the mortgage market with you, and will research all mortgage lenders to help you get the lowest fixed rates.
It’s at this point that we recommend our services to you as, unlike certain other mortgage brokers, we provide FEE-FREE advice and support for all of our customers. Many clients have benefited from the mortgages we have accessed for them, so talk to a member of our team at your earliest opportunity if you are considering a fixed-rate mortgage.
Keep reading below for advice on different fixed-rate periods.
2 year fixed rate mortgage
If you’re planning to live in a property for the short term, then a 2-year fixed-rate term could be the best option for you. You can then sell your house and leave after 2 years, without having to pay an early repayment charge. Alternatively, you can remortgage to get a new mortgage deal, preferably one with lower interest to reduce your fixed monthly payment.
You should also consider a two year fix rate mortgage if you’re on a budget. This way, you can benefit from smaller mortgage repayments and have the peace of mind that there will be no sudden rise in interest rate.
5 year fixed rate mortgage
If you need more than a 2-year deal, this could be a good bet for you. You would have the opportunity to move or remortgage after the 5-year period ends, without the higher repayments you might incur if you take out a longer-term.
Mortgage rates on a 5-year deal typically aren’t a lot higher than those on a 2-year deal so you wouldn’t have to pay too much more if you decide on this option.
The most common choice of fixed mortgage term is either a 2 or 5 year fixed mortgage < read our other guide to learn what is best for you.
10 year fixed rate mortgage
If you don’t intend to move within 10 years, then this could be the best mortgage deal for you. You will have the peace of mind that your repayments won’t change and you won’t have to worry about remortgaging early.
However, you won’t benefit from lower interest rates if they eventually fall, so this is something to take into account. Despite the stress of remortgaging, it can be useful if interest rates drop and you want something more affordable than your current mortgage deal.
Mortgages at longer fixed-terms
While 10-year fixed-rate mortgage loans are common, many borrowers are now considering longer-term mortgages. These include any mortgage deal that spans for 11 years or longer, including :
- 20 year fixed rate mortgage deals
- 30 year fixed rate mortgage deals
- 40 year fixed term mortgage deals
The advantage of a longer fixed-rate mortgage deal is that mortgage borrowers don’t have to worry about fluctuating interest rates or remortgaging during the longer lifetime of their mortgages. As these mortgage deals are now becoming more commonplace, they may be of interest to you. Such deals include the new mortgage ‘full term’ products that we discuss below, which are becoming increasingly attractive to home buyers.
Fixing your mortgage interest rate for the full term
Several lenders including Kensington mortgages have launched mortgage products that allow borrowers to fix their mortgage rates ‘for life. ‘
These give borrowers the opportunity to take out a fixed rate for the full mortgage term, without the worry of remortgaging down the line. Some of these deals are also portable so homeowners can transfer their mortgage to a new property once they move.
Lending restrictions might apply when fixing mortgage interest rates for the full term, depending on specific mortgage lenders. Options may be limited to those over 50, for example, as a 40-year mortgage is unlikely to be offered to them.
Most lenders take the applicants’ level of income and credit history into account too, alongside other factors. However, to those that do qualify, there are reasons why these longer mortgage deals are becoming increasingly attractive. We take a closer look below.
The benefits of a longer fixed-rate full mortgage term
One of the main benefits of a longer fixed-rate full mortgage term is peace of mind. Borrowers won’t need to worry about remortgaging or fluctuating interest rates ever again. If they do remain on these mortgages for the ‘full term’, they will know how much they need to set aside each month until the day the mortgage is paid off for good. Unlike tracker mortgages, which are a form of variable interest rate mortgage, there will be no need to worry about making adjustments to account for any repayment changes.
One mortgage lender, when discussing their particular mortgage product, has promised a boost in borrowing power for home buyers. They said that this is due to the way they use the fixed rate to calculate affordability rather than the impact of a future variable stressed rate. As such, borrowers may be able to afford more expensive properties.
So, is this type of mortgage right for you? Possibly, as while you can expect to pay more over a longer-term, you may be able to reduce your monthly repayments and you won’t have to incur early repayment fees if you decide to move into a new property.
Should I fix my mortgage?
Many people can benefit from a long-term fixed mortgage. These include:
First-time buyers
Higher LTV’s, more borrowing power, and reduced monthly repayments can make it easier for first-time buyers to get on the property ladder.
Professionals
Professionals such as doctors that are moving up the career ladder can benefit from these mortgages as they won’t have to incur a repayment charge when they also move up the property ladder.
Family’s moving home
Having to pay to leave a mortgage rate early can hurt the bank balance of cash-strapped families but they won’t be stung by these if they are able to port their mortgage.
The Self Employed
With a fluctuating income, the self-employed have less to worry about when their monthly mortgage repayments stay the same for the long term.
Full-term rate mortgage product: acceptable credit criteria
Credit criteria are the factors mortgage lenders will use when determining whether or not to offer a full-term rate mortgage product to those interested in homeownership. Such factors will typically include:
- Age: Lenders may prefer the borrower to be under the age of 55, especially when taking out a 40-year loan product
- Bank statements:Â Lenders need to see evidence of affordability and the ability to pay the deposit
- Employment:Â Lenders may reject an application if the applicant doesn’t have a consistent employment history
Other factors can include:
- Arrears
- CCJs
- Credit history
- Debt management plans
- Property type
And more.
Contact us for more detailed information on the credit criteria many lenders use for full-term mortgage products.
A real-life example of a full-term mortgage rate product
Below is a summary of what you can expect from Kensington Mortgages Flexi Fixed For Term mortgage product.
Kensignton is not a mortgage broker, so you can’t get a mortgage directly through them. You can however use a fee-free mortgage broker like ourselves. We work with Kensington to provide you with a highly rated fee-free mortgage service, that literally does it all for you without any fees, ever. Our expert mortgage advisors are ready via phone, email, or WhatsApp today.
| Mortgage term | Minimum loan amount | Maximum loan amount | LTV | Interest rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-15 years | £75,000 | £2,000,000 | 60% | 2.83% |
| 11-15 years | £75,000 | £500,000 | 95% | 3.82% |
| 16-20 years | £75,000 | £2,000,000 | 60% | 2.84% |
| 16-20 years | £75,000 | £500,000 | 95% | 3.88% |
| 21-25 years | £75,000 | £2,000,000 | 60% | 2.85% |
| 21-25 years | £75,000 | £500,000 | 95% | 3.88% |
| 26-30 years | £75,000 | £2,000,000 | 60% | 2.90% |
| 26-30 years | £75,000 | £500,00 | 95% | 3.92% |
| 31-35 years | £75,000 | £2,000,000 | 60% | 3.16% |
| 31-35 years | £75,000 | £500,000 | 95% | 4.15% |
| 36-40 years | £75,000 | £2,000,000 | 60% | 3.34% |
| 36-40 years | £75,000 | £500,000 | 95% | 4.30% |
* figures above are sourced from here and are true rates as of January 2022<
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I have to pay an early repayment charge if I port my full-term mortgage?
Full-term mortgages are ‘for life,’ meaning you don’t have to change mortgages, even if you decide to move house. Therefore, you won’t have to incur an early repayment charge when you port your full-term mortgage.
What is a Flexi fixed interest rate?
The Flexi interest rate is being offered by a mortgage lender called Kensington. The product released offers fixed-rate full-term mortgages for their customers. The Flexi fixed lets borrowers fix the rate on their mortgage, from anywhere between 11 and 40 years (the full term of the mortgage). The Flexi fixed is designed to give customers greater choice and flexibility, as well as peace of mind that there will be no fluctuating interest rates.
Is a fixed-term mortgage better than a variable rate mortgage?
With a rate that is mixed on your mortgage, your monthly mortgage payments will remain fixed for the length of the mortgage deal. This means you will know how much your mortgage will cost at the outset, which can offer you long-term security if you need to know how much to budget for.
There are disadvantages. If interest rates drop, you won’t benefit from lower payments, unless you decide to remortgage. If you do decide to leave your mortgage early, you will usually incur early repayment charges.
With variable-rate mortgages, interest rate hikes can happen at any time. This can make it difficult to budget, as you won’t have the advantage of a fixed monthly payment. So, while you can benefit from lower repayments if interest rates drop, you may see an increase in your repayments if interest rates eventually rise.
Rates that are fixed on mortgages are generally preferable, but contact the team at YesCanDo Money for more details. We will discuss your options with you, and will give you advice on both short and long-term products.
