Many of us are looking for a better mortgage deal, or would like to release some of the equity in our home but the process is often not as easy as it first appears.

So what do you need to know before you seriously consider re-mortgaging?

The first step is to contact us and we’ll put you in touch with your nearest mortgage expert who can advise you on the best re-mortgaging options.

He will work with you to check the terms and conditions of your existing mortgage. These will tell if you are tied-in to your mortgage deal or if there are any early repayment charges. You can then decide if it is worth switching to a different rate or stay put until the penalties have expired.

Your adviser will then talk you through broadly the four types of deal on offer and which will suit you best, these are:

• Fixed-rate schemes - ideal for people who want certainty and must be able to regulate how much they will be spending each month.
  
  
• Discounted loans - offer a reduction off the standard variable rate for a set period. If rates fall, the rate you will pay will go down but if rates rise, so do your payments.
  
  
• A capped-rate loan - sets a limit on the rate you will pay. If rates rise, your payments will not go above that level but if rates fall below the cap so will your repayments.
  
  
• Flexible mortgages - allow you to overpay and underpay when you choose, without penalty. This is ideal for people who have fluctuating incomes or who want to clear their mortgage early.

Your Mortgage Intelligence adviser will of course guide you through the whole re-mortgaging process, but for information this is what will happen:

• A 'redemption statement' will be obtained from your existing lender telling them how much you owe.
  
  
• You then complete an application form from your new lender, along with details about your income such as bank statements, payslips, a P60 form, mortgage statements and proof of identity.
  
  
• Your new lender values your home.
  
  
• Subject to all the paperwork being satisfactory, the lender will issue a mortgage offer which will contain the amount of the mortgage and the terms that they will offer you.
  
  
• Solicitors will need to be instructed at this point to arrange the legal documentation, leading through to completion of the loan.

The whole process should take about a month to complete.

Once you have received a completion statement from your solicitor or new lender, the process has finished and your new mortgage is in place, congratulations!

As we have access to thousands of mortgages and the ability to negotiate exclusive deals with a huge range of lenders, we can offer a wide range of re-mortgage offers with some special features:

• The ability to raise extra monies to clear credit cards and loans
  
  
• Fees-free products available
  
  
• The ability to raise capital for all purposes including business reasons
  
  
• Market leading remortgage deals available

Whatever your mortgage requirements, we’re certain we can find the mortgage for you.

So if you want a better mortgage deal, or would like to release some of the equity in your home, talk to us today and we’ll put you in touch with the nearest expert to you.