Originators help home buyers in many different ways
Category BetterBond Advice
More than 50% of home loan applications need to be submitted to at least two and sometimes three or four banks before being accepted but fortunately, home buyers no longer need to traipse around from bank to bank with files full of paperwork while crossing their fingers that they find one prepared to give them a bond at a reasonable interest rate.
"These days they just need to submit their application through a reputable originator," says Rudi Botha, CEO of SA's leading originator BetterBond.* "We use an electronic multi-lender submission process which means that prospective borrowers only have to complete one application and assemble one set of supporting documents before their application is simultaneously submitted to a number of banks, including their own bank."
However, convenience is just the first of many things that originators provide for home buyers, he notes. "BetterBond consultants also know what the different banks require and keep up with all the different home loan products they currently have on offer, which means they can direct and motivate your application to those lenders most likely to approve it, and so significantly increase your chances of obtaining a home loan. "The proof of this is in the fact that more than 75% of the applications the company submits are approved - which is a big improvement on the general market approval rate of 50% or less." Thirdly, says Botha, applying through an originator like BetterBond immediately signals to each bank that there are other lenders competing for your home loan business, and encourages them all to immediately make their best offer as regards the interest rate and terms that would be applicable to your bond.
"This not only speeds up the approval process but ensures that you are getting the very best interest rate available in your particular financial circumstances. And that is critical because even a small difference in the rate can cut many thousands of rand off the total cost of your home.
"At the moment, for example, the average variation between the best and worst interest rate offered on a bond application is around 0,5%, and on a 20-year bond of R1,5m, that translates into potential savings of more than R120 000 of interest over the lifetime of the bond, as well as a total of about R6000 a year off your monthly bond installments."
Fourth, he says, originators can actually help home buyers even before they start looking at properties for sale. "To start with, we can go through your finances with you and suggest ways to repair any damage to your credit record that might prevent you from being approved for a home loan.
"We can also help you work out what size bond you can afford on your current salary (see https://www.betterbond.co.za/calculators/affordability) and assist you to obtain a pre-qualification certificate for that amount. This will enable you to focus on homes that are within your budget, signal to sellers that you are a serious buyer and give you leverage in price negotiations that could save you even more on the total cost of your home."
*BetterBond currently accounts for 27% of all new mortgages being registered in the Deeds Office and is our preferred bond originator.
Author: BetterBond
