There is no doubt about it. If you are a first time buyer there are not as many deals out there at good rates as there used to be. Also you need to be able to prove your income, your name , your address etc, so don’t throw those pay statements away. Keep your P60’s and/or your tax returns. Keep your accounts, your bank statements, all details of any loans you have or any credit cards. All these will show up on a credit search so keep good records. And don’t fall behind on any payments, any late or missed payments can show on your credit report which may give you a poor report, or in the worst case scenario, cause all lenders to say no.

For advise, just contact Allan Heggs at Silverside Financial Services on 01455 557501. I will do all I can to help

In the last couple of months I have helped a number of clients not only claim their retirement benefits, but enhance them as well!.

Just by shopping around under Open Market Option I can often get an increase in pension benefit, and if a client has a medical problem, high blood pressure, high cholestoral, heart problems, cancer or many other conditions, or they are a smoker, we can often get considerable increased pensions via an enhanced annuity.

If you, or someone you know, is going to be retiring soon, why not give me a call, you (or they) may be very glad you did.

It’s not very often you get something for free these days. Even more uncommon to get something for free that’s really useful.

Well “80 Tips To Help In A Recession” can be of help to all of us, whether we want to save on energy, save on our insurance or save on photocopying to name just 3.

To get your free copy, just log on to www.workingbreakfast.co.uk and on the front page click to request a free copy. Pass it on to your family friends and colleagues - it’s free!

Your current fixed rate deal comes to an end - what do you do?. You may be able to either apply for another fixed rate or perhaps go on to the base rate or a Tracker. Bank base rate at the time of writing this is just 0.5%!. A Tracker at say 2% over base is still only 2.5%. A very low rate, my advice is if this option is open to you go for it.

However everyone feels that at some stage the bank base rate will rise again, perhaps to 1% then 2% then 3% who knows?. A 2% Tracker deal over base rate at 3% is now 5%. Obviously Fixed rates will also be going up at the same time, so when is the best time to lock in?. Just before they rise! is the answer, but unfortunately we don’t know when that will be. Keep an eye on the rates, or my emails, and get ready!.

Don’t forget Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

I have been asked on numerous occasions to keep in touch with clients. Whether it’s to decide when is the best time to lock into a fixed rate on a mortgage, or to take advantage of a limited offer investment, or tax year end planning - the quickest and most efficient way is by email.

To accomplish this is an easy to read, educational, informative, and hopefully with a bit of humour added, way I have set up a Silverside Solutions Newsletter which I will send out on a quarterly, or more frequent basis as news dictates.

I hope you enjoy these newsletters and if you have any feedback please email me at allan@silversidefs.co.uk.

I decided on a Featured Business section as again, I am often asked if I know anyone who is a good plumber, or someone who can get a dent out of my car, design and install a ktchen, or a good web designer etc etc. I do!. If you would like your business featered then email me on the bove link and I will put you in the queue.

It’s always difficult looking for a recommendation and contact in a particular Trade or Profession that you require.

I not only deal with a number of different Trades and Professions, I also have a number of clients in various Trades and Professions. I plan to feature oneof these people in my regular email Newsletter. If a) you would like to feature in my newsletter then please drop me an email and I will put you in the queue or b) if you are looking for something in particular again drop me an email and I will see who I can recommend.

I don’t know whether it’s just because I’mgetting older but it’s important to know that the decision you make when you take your pension at whatever age, that’s what you’re going to get for the rest of your life.

Why would you not look around to see if you can get a better deal using Open Market option under your existing contract/s.?

If you are a smoker, or have impaired health then you may get even more!

Ask your friendly IFA to look around for you, and if you don’t have one contact me on 01455 557501.

You may be glad you did

Can a first time buyer still get a mortgage?.

Well although the number of lenders and deals has shrunk, there are still some deals out there. First though you should ideally have a deposit of 10%. You also have to have enough income to afford to pay the mortgage each month as well as the bills that are also inevitable with home ownership. Most lenders work on affordability calculations now rather that a straight multiple of income. Next the property you are interested in must value up to the price you’re buying at. And your credit rating needs to be good.

If you find it all a bit daunting and want mortgage advice in Lutterworth or further afield, just contact Silverside Financial Services Ltd and we will help guide you through the maze.

Aegon made a recent presentation where they said that the headache for people reaching retirement age is how do they access advice or guidance and thereby choose the appropriate form of income for life - most simply maximise their initial income. 29% have no guarantee, 87% take level income and 64% take a single life annuity. This suggests some people are not accessing advice.

Silverside Financial Services Ltd can help by looking at the Open Marker Option to see if there are better deals for clients or by arranging the annuity a different way. This costs nothing for the client to find out but they may enhance their income considerably. If you are within 3 months or so of retirement please contact us

You come to retire having saved hard all of your working life. Your pension company tells you that you can have a Tax Free Lump Sum of £30,000 and a pension of £5,000 per year. You are just about to send their papers back to accept when a friend says to you, “why don’t you contact an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) and look to see if he can get you a bigger pension elsewhere?”.

That’s exactly what an Open Market Option is, using technology we look to see if a better deal can be got from another insurance company. If yes move, if no then stay. Cost to find out? Nothing!

Also there are enhanced annuities. These are when we are not in perfect health, again there are companies out there who may pay an even higher pension depending upon your medical situation.

Go that little bit extra and contact us, we may get you a bigger bit extra.