At Switalskis, we focus on the legal aspects of the remortgaging process and do not carry out property valuations ourselves. Property valuations are generally conducted by a certified surveyor who is either appointed by your new mortgage lender or, in some instances, chosen by you.
The purpose of this valuation is as follows:
- Loan-to-value assessment: The lender uses the valuation to assess the loan-to-value ratio (LTV), which is a key factor in determining your mortgage terms. A lower LTV generally means more favourable rates.
- Risk mitigation: From the lender's perspective, the valuation confirms whether the property provides sufficient collateral for the loan. If the valuation is lower than expected, the lender may either offer less money or impose more stringent terms.
- Equity release: If you're remortgaging to release equity, the valuation guarantees that there is sufficient value in the property above the amount you wish to borrow.
- Leasehold properties: For leasehold properties, the remaining term of the lease is another factor that a valuation would consider, as properties with short leases can be difficult to mortgage.
- Market conditions: A valuation can provide insights into current market conditions, which may influence your decision on whether it’s a good time to remortgage.
- Validation for other parties: Sometimes, having a recent valuation can also be useful for other reasons, such as negotiating with a landlord if your property is leasehold, or for insurance purposes.
It's worth mentioning that while the lender's surveyor will carry out a basic valuation, you may want to consider having a more detailed survey done, especially if you've had concerns about the property's condition. This is not a requirement for remortgaging but could provide peace of mind.
Once the valuation is complete, the surveyor will send a report to the lender, who will then review it to finalise your mortgage offer. If the valuation brings up issues, such as necessary repairs, these might need to be addressed before proceeding with the remortgage.