What is a mortgage?

What is a mortgage?

A mortgage is a loan that you use to buy a property.

When you buy a home, you'll put down a cash deposit of at least 5% of the property's price, and then pay the remainder using a mortgage from a bank or building society.

You'll repay your mortgage in monthly instalments over a set period of time - for example 25, 30 or 35 years.

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What types of mortgage deals are there?

Most homebuyers take out repayment mortgages, where you pay back some of the loan and some interest each month.

The main alternative is an interest-only mortgage, where you just pay the interest each month then repay the sum you originally borrowed at the end of the mortgage term.

Within those two categories, there are several different types of deal you can choose from. The most common are:

• fixed-rate mortgages
• tracker mortgages
• discount mortgages
• offset mortgages.

You can get a broad overview of each in our guide on the types of mortgage, or click the links above to learn about the individual options in more detail.

How mortgage rates work

When you take out a mortgage, you'll usually pay the headline rate for a set number of years - most commonly two or five. This is known as the introductory or deal period.

Once this period ends, you'll be automatically moved on to your lender's standard variable rate, which is usually significantly more expensive. To avoid this, most borrowers switch to a new deal at this point. This is called remortgaging.

Which factors affect your mortgage options

Some important things that will affect your choice of mortgage, and the deals available to you, include:

• how much you've saved for a deposit
• the type of property you're buying - a house, flat, new-build etc
• the length of time you plan to pay the mortgage for (known as the mortgage term)
• how much you can afford in monthly mortgage payments
• whether you're using any schemes.

If you're unsure about any of the above, consider talking to an independent mortgage broker, who will be able to advise on the best option for you.

How to compare mortgage deals

No matter what type of mortgage you go for, you'll have to pay interest on the loan. Despite this, you shouldn't choose a deal purely on the headline interest rate.

Other factors are at play, too. You'll usually need to pay a fee to set up the mortgage (this might be called an arrangement, booking, or completion fee). These fees are often highest on the mortgages with the cheapest rates.

It's also important to look out for things such as early repayment charges, and whether the mortgage can be transferred to another property (this is called porting a mortgage).

• Find out more: finding the best mortgage deals

What is a mortgage agreement in principle?

When you're ready to start viewing properties, estate agents might ask whether you have a mortgage agreement in principle (AIP).

Also known as a decision in principle (DIP), an AIP is a statement from a bank saying that it is, in principle, willing to lend you a certain amount of money, subject to full affordability checks being passed.

Having an AIP can help you show that you're able to access the funds and are a serious buyer. Check our guide on mortgage agreements in principle to find out more.

How long does a mortgage offer last?

When you apply for a mortgage and receive a formal offer from a lender, it will usually only be valid for a certain amount of time.

Most mortgage offers last for three to six months - although longer offers are sometimes available on new-build homes. If you don't complete your purchase in this time, you'll need to ask for an extension.

In some cases, this means you might have to go back through the bank's affordability assessments.

What is a mortgage broker?

Searching for a mortgage can be complicated. You could save time and money by using a mortgage broker: a professional adviser who can find and apply for a deal on your behalf.

Some mortgages are only available through brokers, but in other cases the opposite is true and you'll only get the deal if you apply directly yourself.

A whole-of-market broker should look at the entire mortgage market and recommend the right deal for you.

• Find out more: choosing a mortgage broker

Mortgage jargon buster

There's a lot of jargon in the world of mortgages and property. Look up the definitions of all the most commonly used terms in our simple jargon buster.