Balancing Your Culinary Passion with Homeownership: A Guide for Executive Chefs
Scott Austin • September 26, 2023
Getting onto the property ladder with ease.
Are you a restaurant owner with a burning passion for getting on to the property ladder?
As someone who dedicates long hours to running a successful restaurant, the idea of owning your dream home may seem like a distant aspiration. Balancing the demands of your restaurant with your homeownership goals can indeed be a complex challenge, but it's not an impossible one. In this blog, we'll explore how you can achieve that elusive equilibrium between your professional and personal life.
The Restaurant Owner's Dilemma
Running a restaurant is not a 9-to-5 job; it's a labour of love that often demands your time, energy, and unwavering commitment. However, this level of dedication can make it challenging to pursue personal goals such as homeownership. Here are some common dilemmas faced by my Executive Chef / Restaurant owner clients:
- Long Hours: The restaurant industry's long working hours can leave you with little time and energy to navigate the complexities of the mortgage process.
- Financial Commitments: Managing the finances of a restaurant is a significant responsibility. Balancing these financial commitments with homeownership can feel overwhelming.
- Work-Life Balance: Achieving work-life balance is a constant struggle, and adding the pursuit of homeownership to the mix can seem like an additional burden.
- Your Personal Credit: Getting your credit right is imperative to getting your mortgage approved the first time. Running a restaurant can sometime have a toll on your credit profile, if this is the case, we can show you how to clear & rectify bad credit, and get you into a lendable situation.
Finding the Right Recipe for Success
While the challenges of restaurant ownership are real, they shouldn't deter you from achieving your homeownership goals. Here's how you can find the right recipe for success:
- Work with a Mortgage Specialist like us who understands your needs: Seek the expertise of a mortgage specialist who understands the unique challenges of your industry. We can tailor mortgage solutions to fit your specific needs and offer guidance on navigating the process efficiently.
- Time Management: Effective time management is key. Consider delegating certain responsibilities at the restaurant to trusted staff members to free up time for your mortgage journey.
- Financial Planning: Work closely with an accountant or financial advisor to manage your restaurant's finances effectively and create a budget that accommodates your homeownership goals. WE have many lenders that look at all kinds of income, so no matter the structure of your business we have a solution.
- Work-Life Integration: Rather than striving for a strict work-life balance, aim for work-life integration. Explore ways to incorporate aspects of your personal life, such as house hunting, into your daily routine. Stop by an open house whilst on the way to the supermarket.
The Benefits of Homeownership
Owning a home offers several advantages that can enhance your quality of life as a restaurant owner:
- Stability: Homeownership provides a sense of stability and security for you and your family.
- Tax Benefits: You may be eligible for tax benefits and deductions related to homeownership.
- Investment: Your home can be a valuable asset that appreciates over time, contributing to your long-term financial security.
Conclusion
Balancing your passion for culinary excellence with homeownership is achievable with the right approach. By seeking expert guidance, effectively managing your time and finances, and integrating personal goals into your professional life, you can unlock the doors to your dream home. Remember, owning a home is not just a financial investment; it's a testament to your hard work and dedication as a successful Executive Chef.
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So, here we are half way through 2021 and the property market is still going crazy, I heard a story the other day about a first time buyer that went to view a flat in London and there were 10 other couples waiting outside, now that might not seem like much but it might just put you off selling up and moving. So, if you are going to "stay put" then it is time to think about if you can get a better rate for your current mortgage. With rates at all time lows and not much indication that they are going up anytime soon, this is your opportunity to save money. So if you are on a fixed rate that is going to end in the next 6 months then now is the time to get in touch and see if a better rate is available to you. If you are on the standard variable rate or a tracker and you want to see if a fixed rate is now worth it because the rates are so low then we can help to. We can even help you stick with the same lender and get you a better rate than the standard variable, so if you need quick action we can help there too. Contact Zoom Mortgage telephone 0800310121 email contactus@zoommortgage.co.uk .
This story + many more are available in our 1st edition of the Zoom Mortgage and Property Magazine. Available for you for free here https://zoommortgage.lpages.co/zoom-mortgage-property-magazine THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) pandemic led to the virtual disappearance of mortgages that only required a 5% deposit. But the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced on 3 March a new initiative during his Budget 2021 speech. The government-backed mortgage guarantee scheme is open to first-time buyers and home movers across the UK and is aimed at encouraging banks and building societies to offer 95% loan-to-value (LTV) mortgages again. The announcement is tremendous news for first-time buyers looking to get on the property ladder at a time when, for many, owning a home may seem an impossible dream as they would otherwise not be able to find a large deposit to secure a mortgage deal. GETTING ON THE HOUSING LADDER The announcement aims to stimulate the housing market and get more people onto the housing ladder. The Chancellor said there was good evidence that ‘this will help those that are getting on the housing ladder disproportionately to other home movers.’ He said: ‘We know from the previous time we did it, it helped 100,000 people buy a home and the average value of a home bought under the scheme was £160,000, compared to the average price of a home which at that time was more like £225,000. ‘And 80% were first-time buyers, so it feels like it is a policy that is quite well targeted to help people get on the housing ladder.’ ACROSS THE UK The government introduced the scheme for new mortgage applications which commenced from April and provides a guarantee to lenders across the UK that offer mortgages to people with a deposit of five per cent on homes with a value of up to £600,000. This scheme is for any ‘creditworthy’ household struggling to save for a higher deposit. These will be standard residential mortgages – so no second homes or buy-to- lets. If the borrower gets into financial difficulty and their property is repossessed, the government will cover that element of the lender’s losses. The scheme opened for new mortgage applications from April and will be open to new applications until December 2022. Several of the country’s largest lenders, including Lloyds, NatWest, Santander, Barclays and HSBC, are offering these 95% mortgages, with others to follow shortly after. The mortgages must be on a repayment basis, not interest-only. And borrowers will need to be credit checked and meet the standard rules on affordability. All lenders under the scheme will also offer mortgages fixed for at least five years, providing options for buyers with smaller deposits who want the security and predictability of a mortgage with a fixed rate over a longer term. Eligible mortgages guaranteed under the scheme will need to: • be a residential mortgage (not second homes) and not buy-to-let • be taken out by an individual or individuals rather than an incorporated company • be on a property in the UK with purchase value of £600,000 or less • have a loan-to-value (LTV) of between 91% and 95% of the value of the property • be originated between the dates specified by the scheme • be a repayment mortgage and not interest-only • meet standard requirements in terms of the assessment of the borrower’s ability to pay the mortgage, for example, a loan-to- income and credit score test LIFELINE FOR FIRST-TIME BUYERS Thanks to soaring house prices and tighter rules on mortgage approvals, the first rung of that famous property ladder can be very hard to reach. So the new government backed mortgage guarantee scheme will be a lifeline for those first-time buyers trying to get on the housing ladder. >> GET AN ESTIMATE ON HOW MUCH YOU COULD BORROW << Are you ready to buy a property? You’ve dreamed of owning a home for as long as you can remember, or maybe you’re looking to move to another property. Now the new government-backed mortgage guarantee scheme could make it a reality. To discuss your options and get an estimate on how much you can borrow, contact Zoom Mortgage – telephone 0800310121 – email contactus@ zoommortgage.co.uk
This story + many more are available in our 1st edition of the Zoom Mortgage and Property Magazine. Available for you for free here HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BUY A HOME? “The total cost of buying a property is often underestimated. It’s not just finding a deposit.” IF YOU’RE THINKING of buying a home, there’s a lot more to consider than just the price of the property. While you might be aware of the major costs involved in buying a house, there could be extras you haven’t considered. The total cost of buying a property is often underestimated. It’s not just finding a deposit. Among the additional costs that need to be covered are legal fees, surveyor’s fees, stamp duty and moving costs. Preparation is particularly important if you are a first-time buyer. HOW MUCH IS A PROPERTY IN THE UK?[1] EXAMPLES OF DEPOSIT AMOUNTS BASED ON AVERAGE HOME PRICES IN THE UK • In England, the average home costs £246,000 5% DEPOSIT £12,300 • In Scotland, the average home costs £151,000 5% DEPOSIT £7,550 • In Wales, the average home costs £164,000 5% DEPOSIT £8,200 • In Northern Ireland, the average home costs £140,000 5% DEPOSIT £7,000 Source: Office for National Statistics, February 2020 Of course, there’s a lot of variance in price depending on the type of property and the location. Zoom Mortgage offers 100 + 95% mortgages from many different lenders. HOW MUCH DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED? Usually, when you buy a home, you’ll pay 5%–20% of the total price as a deposit and take out a mortgage to cover the remaining cost, which you’ll repay over an agreed period of years. If you don’t have this much deposit then there are ways to buy a home with a smaller deposit or no deposit, such as a guarantor mortgage or the Shared Ownership scheme. WHAT ARE THE OTHER COSTS INVOLVED IN BUYING A HOME? MORTGAGE FEES Different mortgage providers charge different fees, and different amounts for those fees. Some of the common ones include: • Arrangement fee – up to £2,000 usually is £999 for many products • Booking fee – up to £250 • Valuation fee – up to £1,500 • CHAPS transaction fee – up to £50 • Account fee – up to £300 • Mortgage Broker fee - This depends on the broker used. At Zoom Mortgage we charge a fee of 0-£1500. Usually this fee is a flat £499 but the cost is based on the complexity of the work to be undertaken on the clients behalf. You might have the option to add these fees onto the loan amount so that you don’t need to pay upfront – but this will mean you’ll also be charged interest on them. This is not usually advisable to do because of the additional interest payable. STAMP DUTY Stamp duty is a tax paid on property in England and Northern Ireland. There are similar taxes payable in Scotland (Land and Buildings Transaction Tax) and Wales (Land Transaction Tax). Fortunately, under the current rates there is no stamp duty to pay on property up to the value of £300,000. Above this amount, stamp duty is calculated as a percentage of the property price (between 3% and 12%, depending on the total value). This is a reduced rate, due to the coronavirus pandemic. SURVEY COSTS It’s crucial to have your property examined by a surveyor before completing the purchase, as this can identify many kinds of expensive issues that might arise in the future. There are various types of survey, with different costs, these are all estimated costs including: • A basic condition report (£300+) • A more detailed homebuyer report (£400+) • An in-depth building survey (£450+) • A full structural survey (£600+) SOLICITOR’S FEES Another essential cost is a solicitor, to draw up your contract and help to complete your sale. You should expect to pay between £800 and £1,600. This includes your *legal fees, *money transfer fees, *land registry fees and searches. CONVEYANCING IS NOT REGULATED BY THE FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY. >> SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL COMMITMENT << Buying your home is not only exciting but for many can be one of the most stressful times they’ll ever experience, not to mention a significant financial commitment. From your mortgage deposit to fees and other costs, buying a property is an expensive business. To discuss your situation or for further information, please contact Zoom Mortgage – telephone 08003101210 – email Contactus@zoommortgage.co.uk. Source data: [1] https://www.ons.gov.uk/ economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/ housepriceindex/february2020
