Mortgages & Endowments

A question about : First Time Buyer Advice Please

I was wondering if anyone could offer advice please. I'm currently in the un-envious position
of preparing to purchase a house as a first time buyer.
I have set aside around 3k as a deposit and around 75% of the completion costs.
I have a number of questions that I would like to ask:

A question about : Sold S.T.C...can I still make an offer?

My house has been for sale for just over a week, and I received a good offer for it yesterday. However, a house that also came on the market last week that we viewed & thought was perfect has been s.s.t.c. on saturday..grrr!

A question about : Council house buying, Scotland

HI,

We have the chance to buy my mother in laws' council house for Ј21000, 60% discount , 3 Bedroom house. We are first time buyers, the house has to be purchased in her name, although we will be paying for it, which we can then change after 3 years, to ours. HBOS have offered us a mortgage of Ј124 P/M over 40 years which equates to Ј65000 repaid price.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated as I have no idea what I am about to enter into, but, that seems a bit extreme.

Thanks

A question about : mortgage broker fees

hi

how much does a mortgage broker charge to come to your house on average? (looking to remortgage) or do most of them make there money from commision?

Is there anything i should look out for if i make an appoinment to see one?

thanks

A question about : end of fixed rate

last year my halifax fixed rate came to a end

ive been meaning to do something and get another fixed rate

will halifax offer me a new deal ?????????

A question about : To pay or not to pay off our mortgage?

We're in the fortunate postition of having enough to pay off our mortgage - just Ј9000 left now. It's currently on a variable rate interest only mortgage (currently 5.75%) with the Halifax. Our savings have been making around 3.5% in Fidelity PEPs. Is there anything I should know before we take the plunge and say goodbye to debt?
Is there any benefit in maintaining a miniscule mortgage for safekeeping of the house deeds?
Any advice welcome, thanks.

A question about : Best fixed rate ?

I'm going to be looking for a new deal.
Rough figures are as follows

House worth approx Ј125000
Mortgage outstanding Ј80000

I want to borrow around 20K-25K to extend and improve,so I will be looking to borrow around 100K-105K,which is around 85% of the estimated value of my house.

I do like fixed rates as I like to budget accurately.
I do not want to pay any fees if I can help it.

Any pointers ??? ???

I'd also like Britney's mobile number and the moon on a stick ;D

A question about : The pitfalls of owning 2 properties?

My nan is currently in the process of buying a bungalow as she can no longer get up the stairs in her house. She is in the fortunate position to be able to pay cash. Her best friend of 60 years is lending her some of her savings to enable her to do this.

My nan doesn't want to sell her current residence immediately as she has lived in it since she was 2 (78 years!!) and is worrying about not settling in the bungalow.