NewStats: 3,265,247 , 8,186,122 topics. Date: Saturday, 14 June 2025 at 04:58 AM p6h64

Created on 8th March 2005, this year will mark the 20th anniversary of Nairaland.

What a milestone!

Curious: how many years have you been on Nairaland and how much value have you got off the platform?

It's possible if you're buying a new build where the the developer is willing to boost your deposit by 5%. That'll bring the total deposit to 10% and you can unlock better interest rates.

Barclays currently has 4.71% for 5 years fixed on new builds with energy band A - B. I'd presume most new builds will fall into that category.

AOI2016:
Hi Guys,
I spoke to a broker today,and told her about my status as a visa holder and gave her other details as requested. I told her I've got a deposit of 15k and looking for a mortgage of 300k which is 5%.

After everything she said I could get a mortgage value of 218k at 5.99% fixed for 5years.

My question is can I get rate lower than 5.99 % and higher mortgage value at the same 5% deposit?.

Sounds like you've had a horrible experience with CC.

You might need some extensive knowledge on using and managing CC. If used well, they're really beneficial to your financial life.

rock86:


It's a gbese card

Wetin happen?

rock86:
Stay away from Credit card.

Check out the image below. It might help.

UrFears:
Hi Seniors, please does anyone have a guide on applying for NHS Jobs 🙏

Placeholder/tracker for our mortgage journey.

BRB!

Thanks bro

Lexusgs430:


Developers prefer having all, under one umbrella (for various reasons).....

It's an open market, so long as they are rendering their services free of charge, you are free to get your own team....... Get a conveyancing solicitor, based on recommendations + mortgage advisers......

For a new build purchase, what's your take on using the developer's recommended mortgage advisor and solicitor?

I'm concerned there might be conflict of interest as they'll be representing both parties. However, the companies are highly rated - 4.7 star ⭐ review and same quite familiar with the developer. I reckon it'll speed things up. But I'll like to hear first hand experience in this. Thanks

I've got experience with living in apartments without bathroom windows. There was no issue with the first apartment but the second had mould issues.

If the extractor is good, it should be fine. For most Brits that I've met it's either they turn on the extractor or open the window. Only a few use both at once. Most new builds have quite an efficient extractor that won't require opening the windows alongside.
.

For those sort of bath, I suppose they'll benefit more from full tiling or encased shower area. If you do number two there, be sure to close the door and spray something nice around the house for the aroma to fade 😁

elengine:
The Nigerian in me feels that having a bathroom without window for a new build is misnomer but I do not have evidence either that having a window is better than not. The information online s either of the two as long as there is extractor. Please can I learn from people with experience on the above.

Congrats, Baba Landlord.

babajeje123:

Yippee...it's testimony time and a very long one it is.
The whole journey started in August and we had December as our move-in date. Our searches led us to Persimmon, paid reservation fee however we had no peace of mind. One, how they would be able to finish the plot in a space of few months, two the reviews we read about Persimmon were not encouraging and the fact that we would stick to their Internet provider discouraged us from proceeding with them. So we requested for what we paid as reservation fee.

Then, we moved to Keepmoat. A very decent property with a lot of freebies for shikini money. Integrated fridge & freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, flooring with carpet in all rooms, turf in the garden, and a wardrobe in the master bedroom. All for 167k pere with 5% deposit. We reserved that day! But the property is in a different location from where we are. We didn't even care, so happy submitting all docs till the result of the local searches came out. The area is prone to flooding. Wetin be this? We sha consulted, talked to people and the advised we should go ahead as the area has never experienced flooding in the last 50 years. But my mind no touch ground at though we kept moving by faith. Went to do door knocking one day and the guy I spoke to talked well of the area. No serious snagging issues since he moved in, quick response time for little issues that came up, he sha spoke well but mind refused to touch ground. Then one day, I felt like checking what the council tax in that area is for same property. £174! I've found a good reason to cancel. Currently paying £110, paying £174 means we will be doing 010 daily. Brain-washed madam and we cancelled though we lost so money. We continued to search and we found Gentoo. They didn't think all our boxes but ticked the important ones. We can sleep well without praying that it should not rain and council tax will make us do 101 at least . We knew we won't cancel cos we found peace throughout the whole process.

Contract exchanged yesterday, completion was today, going for keys tomorrow. Let somebody shout hallelujah

It could mean anything. Best to speak with the bank or broker.

My initial thought is that there was a duplicate application and one has been closed. Don't take my words, just check with the bank.

PrettyPacy:
What does this mean everyone?

Thank you for your recent mortgage application
We can confirm this application is now closed.

I assume you're referring to Standard Variable Rate (SVR). If so, see the attached image.

By the way, you don't have to pay the SVR. You can shop for new mortgage deals six months before your current term lapses.

elengine:
Quick question please. Why is the interest rate after the fixed rate is always higher? Does it mean people pay higher rate after their fixed rate has ended. Someone should throw more light on this.

I don't think so. The rates applies to all regardless of residency status. However, your status might affect your access or otherwise of the rate.

For instance, some lenders won't offer any deal to residents on visa except you have 15% deposit. With that amount of deposit you would get the same interest rate as a Brit.

I recently heard your status could also determine the term the lender is willing to offer.

fetomowo:


Do these rate providers take into consideration ones status in the UK (i.e visa or ILR holders) to make these offers?

Not a bad deal.

Got the same figure last week on a 10% but didn't lock down as the offer hadn't been accepted. Checked with another broker this week and the best rate was 4.8%.

Hoping things would have improved when I'm eventually ready.

PrettyPacy:


4.35% with 10% deposit , someone suggested money supermarket.com to check for rates. And I don’t think deposit has any effect on rates.

Interesting explanation.

Undoubtedly, the incentive particularly the 5% deposit contribution is a great boost.

In the long run, things will even out.

If you don't mind me asking, which area do you reside? Houses prices seem really decent there. Thanks

Solumtoya:


Fair point but I'd explain further.

These statistics are quite skewed because of outliers like London. Currently, in my area, New builds are more expensive but definitely not by the margins often protrayed like in the article.

For instance, a new build 3 bed in my area is about 300k while a decent similar old build is about 280k or more. Now the New Build buyer needs to raise £15k while the old build buyer needs to raise £28k. That extra £13k can make most people never achieve home ownership. (To be really honest, new builds are cheaper where I live, but I think that might be due to smaller plots or cheaper build quality)

Now for the poster's case, even if he gets a cheaper £320k ish old build, the £380k new build still has alower deposit of £19k as opposed to the £32k he would have had to raise for an older house and topically the margin might be higher than this my £13k assumption.

My point is the £19k incentive is actually a big deal.

Now, in the long term, both houses should normalise at about similar prices so if he's not selling in the near future, he should be fine.

The downside on pricing is the Monthly payment. The New build will still pay a little higher.

As for Warranty, no amount of survey would shield you from potential surprises in 2 years. Developers would literally paint your house when you stain it while packing. They would unblock your drain, change faulty fridges, etc. That Warranty means a lot. And I don't get any hassles on my Warranty, they actually call me every few months to ask if there are any Complaints and if I state any, they show up immediately and get it sorted

Thanks for the insight. I guess the first thing to consider is the availability or otherwise and comparative price of the slightly older properties as advised.

Just a quick search and couldn't find any deal of sort.

ukay2:


I will not go for the deal.

This is why l went for a 5 year old built property as everything has been settled by previous first buyer already. I don't have time for unnecessary stress.

All the best.

Fantastic! Thanks for the insight.

Solumtoya:


Do the flooring yourself. Go to a Major Flooring company like Tapi or Carpetright and you could get a quote as low as £3k for your entire house, they will also give you a payment plan where you can spread for up to 4 years without interest so you end up paying like £80 monthly.

As for the deposit contribution, 5% seems like the best you will typically get.

We recently viewed a few new builds and we're happy with one; 3-bed mid-terrace for 380K.

Developer has offered a 5% contribution to our 5% deposit. Initial conversation with the referred Mortgage Advisor shows we can get a mortgage for 4.5%.

However, the developer has told us they won't include flooring. We've asked multiple times but they've been insistent on not adding it. They even told us they can't give more than 5% incentive across board as per the lender Ts & Cs. I'm not really sure that's correct. Please share your thoughts on this.

Based on our calculation, it'll cost about 10k to do up the flooring via the builder. Of cos, we're now exploring getting quotes from independent contractors. What are the pros and cons of not doing the flooring with the builder?

We're keen on jumping on the property ladder and affordability won't be an issue in of monthly payment but our major concern now is raising extra money for things like flooring and some additional costs. Are there viable loan facilities for such with little or no interest?

Really interested in getting a house before end of March 2025 to escape the stamp duty increase and build equity.

Please share any other advice for first time buyers with little or no extra funds after paying the deposit 😕

Didn't see it coming.

justwise:


This country keep surprising me each and everyday as i did not see this coming

Does it seem like rates will come down further?

With the first time buyer stamp duty threshold coming down from £425k to 300K. Buyers in the South will have more to worry about.

Lexusgs430:



It would have no impact...... What goes in stamp duty, is compensated for in better interest rates.........

Buyers would not stop buying, because of a 2% increase...... 😁

For a start, I presume there'll be a rush to catch up with the 31st March 2025 cut-off for the current £425k stamp duty for first time buyers, especially those in the south.

In the long run, the dreams of many first time buyers in the South will be truncated or paused and forced to remain renters as they'll need to work/save more to cover the stamp duty fee.

If the market crashes, it means first time buyers might be get good deals within the £300k range. Although to think of getting a 400/500k house for 300k seems like blind optimism, but nothing is impossible.

On the surface the budget looks appealing but diving into it and the potential impacts shows it leaves much to be desired.

May we not labour in vain!

Zahra29:
It'll be interesting to see what the consequences are, both intended and unintended, of the property related policies in the budget, namely the increase in stamp duty for secondary homes and the reduction in stamp duty threshold for first time buyers (which might have less of an impact up north where houses are cheaper , but will likely affect first time buyers in the south).

There are also new regulations due in the new year such as the Renters bill to give renters more rights and Right to Buy changes which will reduce discounts to buy council homes and allow councils to keep 100% of the receipt of council home sales( hopefully this will help shore up the depleted social housing stock).

Fabulous! I knew I was missing out a crucial point.

I've conversed with a few immigrants who say they're unable or unwilling to pay for nursery. This means the child's earliest exposure to a school-setting will be at 3/4 years when they can access the free basic education. Many resort to bringing grannies from back home. Whilst that in itself isn't an issue, I'd be concerned about the social skills the child will build if exposed to the nursery setting earlier on.

A friend who enrolled her one year old son at the nursery for twice a week said the boy has improved in social interactions and self-awareness.

All malam to hin kettle.

fatima04:


Nicely stated, another factor to consider is access to affordable childcare within that age range.

A lot of migrants with younger kids keep their kids at home because of the high cost of childcare and not rhaving recourse to public funds and thus not able to utilise the 30hrs for working parents others have access to.

This means the kids have limited access to blend in to a whole new culture, assimilate into the system and so much more.

What in turn happens is, those kids are usually engaged on their ipad or computers for long stretches on shows that are now being found to be addictive and causing behavioural issues from new research.

In summary, there is a whole lot of micro factors to be considered which in turn could be increasing such diagnosis.

Hey, just checking up on you to see how you're getting on.

Were you able to bring someone over to ?

Ayofemidara:


I will follow this, thank you

This is a valid point and I'd want to narrow it down to regional accent.

I believe the Nigerian English at any level is closer to what you'll hear in the Southeast and west of England compared to other regions of the UK with heavy accent - Scouse, Scottish, Mancunian, Irish.

I'm particularly invested in language and communication and I get worried speaking with anyone with heavy UK accent.

@Babajeje123 what regions of the UK are the cases you referenced?

After thought 1: Every child possesses the ability to learn new language effectively till around 12 - 18 years. This is linguistically known as the Language Acquisition Device (LAD), as originally expounded by Noam Chomsky. If that holds true in this context, then children under 15 should be able catch with new language and accent.

Now I'm missing linguistic days Who will bankroll this research?

SAYOSOLA:
This is so apt! Another factor could be the difference in accent, which could be confusing to a child just learning to speak. They have been hearing a particular accent for the first few years of their life, and suddenly this changes, and then it,s like the language acquisition process has to start again.

Just a quick note: Not all instances of speech delay are linked to autism. There are other factors that can contribute to speech delay.

To your original question; the language acquisition process in both countries is different, hence the obvious disparity. This is my initial thinking.

In the UK, most parents are generally expressive and communicate with their kids even before birth and it gets better after birth. They're literally talking to their kids as though they're adults and could respond. You'll see nurses, parents telling a two months old baby "Hey Tim, I want to change your nappy, it's time to eat, it's nap time....". All of those conversations and process shape the child's language formation at that tender age. I'm not sure most Naija parent have thr patience or consciousness to do this.

Also, most children are exposed to books and reading as soon as they're born. Can't say same for most kids in Nigeria. For context, my baby spent about nearly her first month in NICU (ICU for babies). During that time, we met other parents/babies. One of the things we emulated was from a British couple that dodgedly read stories to their "unwell" baby every time. As expected, it wasn't all the British parents that did this. But the few that did, were consistent. Even grandparents came around to read to their grandkids. I'm not sure any Nigerian grand/parent would be even think of reading to unwell child in the hospital.

In the UK, bed time stories are read to kids, educational resources are promoted, giving them a headstart on communicating with a variety of vocab before they turn one. Defects are identified and addressed promptly.

Another thing I've observed is that a lot of British parents have a personal reading culture, something that's rare in Nigeria. This culture somewhat influences the kids and improves their language world.

Additionally, access to quality education plays a key role here. In Nigeria, the quality of education your child receives is based on your financial capability. Whereas, in the UK there's a standardised free-education from age two. I know there's a global outcry for better education but Nigeria no dey try at all. We're at the lowest rank in of 12 years of free, safe and quality education up. Education is a big factor in rating countries as develed or under-developed.

As I've always posited, there are no perfect countries or economies but there are better ones when compared to others.

It'll be nice to see a detailed research into this speech thing.

babajeje123:

I can't really say, honestly. I wish this could be researched, saw something like that on twitter recently about prevalence of autism amongst children of black Africans in the UK.

Interesting.

Thanks for sharing, guys.

justwise:


A family member recently applied for ILR with expired Nigerian port and it was successful though I submitted NIN card as part of the application.

giselle237:
Just explain in the additional information box that you are actively working towards it and did not want to risk becoming an overstayer even for 1 hour hence this and that …

Great! Thanks for pointing me to this.

Would it matter if one doesn't apply for renewal with no appointment slip to attach?

Estroller:


lightnlife

Estroller:


Update!

Application for renewal was submitted with my expired port (I added my appointment slip as evidence of renewal with a note about the delay in getting appointment dates). Decision was made in about 2 weeks and it was successful.

Good evening,

Has anyone renewed his/her UK visa on an expired Nigerian port?

I might be wrong on this but I presume one's port validity doesn't matter when renewing within the UK. Also because a BRP was previously issued and people don't necessarily change nationality per year, I reckon HM would have one's original details.

Just curious to see if anyone has renewed a UK visa within the UK on their expired Naija port.

PS: Trying to save money, time and effort with renewing portS. Ighatago

Really?

Please share; what was depressing about the city? Were you expecting some Isale Eko and Peckham vibes

rock86:

Came around for a week training and it's so different here. Didn't see diversity and it looks depressing

Oh, Yeovil

Visited once and I liked the general scenery.

What's your experience living there?

hyzich:


Hi

Just seeing this, ask anyone youve met to be added into the group called Nigerians in yeovil, you would see someone who would help.. I live in Yeovil currently

You can use comparison/cashback websites like uSwitch and QuidCo.

They'll advise on the providers with the best netowrk in your area with their indictative speed. You'll also get some credit/cashback on the .

Knowlegeseeking:
Elders Good evening.

I’m currently looking for a broadband-only deal, and I’ve noticed that my living room has both Virgin Media and Openreach fibre cables installed. After checking online, it seems that Virgin Media offers the fastest connection in my area.

However, I’m a bit confused by the different speed options and their varying prices. Could you advise me on what I should prioritize when choosing a plan? I’m hoping to find a good balance between speed and affordability, as the prices seem quite high.

At the moment, I’m using an unlimited data plan on my sim from Three, but the network performance is poor, which has made working from home difficult. My contract with Three expires at the end of this month, so I’m considering switching to Virgin Media for broadband.

For context, I don’t watch live TV—I mostly stream YouTube and Netflix, and I usually connect my TV via hotspot.

Any guidance you can offer on selecting the best deal would be greatly appreciated!

You can use the instant payment option. It's only available for £100+ payments though.

Abuja1914:
Good morning once again my elders.

Please, how do one pay into moneybox without doing direct direct.

All suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.