We have had an increase recently in enquiries regarding military mortgages. If you work for the armed forces, the good news is that lenders are finally beginning to understand your situation when it comes to property.
Because of the amount of time spent on service overseas, lenders can be dismissive of the needs of the military. One Army member expressed the problem this way:
I recently wanted to remortgage my family home but was frustrated to find that, because I am presently letting it due to service overseas, that most mortgage lenders would only offer buy-to-let products, which incur far inferior terms (rate and LTV).
I argued that it was my main family home and as only my military service compelled me to let it for a short period, I should qualify for residential terms.
Lenders are beginning to get it, however. We have found a number of lenders that allow armed forces personnel who are posted overseas on operational duties to rent out their property, or remortgage it, without change or having to switch to a buy-to-let mortgage.
It is also apparent that these very same lenders also accept deposits via the Long Service Advance of Pay scheme – a long-established MoD scheme under which the government provides a loan for the deposit on a property.
If you are in a similar situation and would like to know which lenders can help you, give Limetree a call.
Alex Pangratiou worked for Limetree Financial Services until April 2012. Feel free to contact another member of our team for help or advice.
