In return for receiving a cash payout from the lender in the form of a cashback mortgage, borrowers will be generally be tied into the lender’s standard variable mortgage rate for a certain period, usually from between 6 months and 5 years. Lenders’ standard variable rates are not the most attractive mortgage rate options available, as they are usually set at 1-2% above the Bank of England base rate; the fluctuation of this rate can leave borrowers vulnerable in the event of rate rises. In order to prevent borrowers remortgaging during this period, a penalty will be payable on early redemption of the mortgage until the end of the lock-in period; in addition to this, the cashback package is usually repayable, either in full or in part, if you remortgage before the end of the lock-in period.
In order to get a real benefit from a cashback mortgage, you must compare options available from different lenders on a like-for-like basis. The size of the cashback package will usually directly correlate to the length of the lock-in period; try to get the best cashback option from the lender with the shortest lock-in, as having to remain on the standard variable rate for an extended period may negate the benefit of the cash lump-sum at the start of the mortgage. Rather than remaining on the standard variable rate after the lock-in ends, consider your remortgaging options; but be careful to do your sums and ensure that any benefit received from a new mortgage deal will exceed the fees payable on the early redemption of your current mortgage.
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