Self-cert mortgage market 'still strong'
Thu 10 Jan 2008 4pm
The UK market for self-certification
mortgages is still in good health despite the ongoing effects of the
credit crunch, an expert has claimed.
According to independent
mortgage broker Alexander Hall, the tightening of conditions across financial markets has not impacted on the self-cert sector "fundamentally", although borrowers may find that they now have a slightly reduced choice of lenders.
Spokesperson for the firm Andy Pratt said that most self-cert
mortgage applications are still successful because borrowers have consulted a broker beforehand, as these type of customers usually require "a bit of guidance".
Commenting on the market's performance in light of the
credit crunch, Mr Pratt explained: "There's nowhere near the same impact that there has been on subprime
mortgages.
"All those clients who would have got a self-cert
mortgage before have been able to get them even with the
credit crunch."
Normally used by self-employed workers who wish to buy a house, a self-cert
mortgage allows people to declare their income without having to provide absolute proof.
According to figures from the Economic and Social Research Council, 13 per cent of the UK workforce is currently self-employed.
