Before you choose which offset mortgage is the best mortgage for you, you need to know which type of offset mortgage is going to be the best choice for you. Look at your outgoings, your income and how you have handled mortgages in the past. Are you a saver? Do you want to consolidate credit card debt into the mortgage account? Are you choosing an offset with a mind to pay off your mortgage early? Do you have some savings that could be making you more money than they are now? All these questions need to be answered before you can decide which offset mortgage will suit you.
Once you know what you want, talk to your adviser. Not only is it good to have a second opinion and a fresh pair of eyes going over your finances, but also an adviser will know things that you don't. An adviser's job is to show you which offset mortgage other borrowers have used in the past and where you should be putting your money in the present. The adviser will also give you an idea of how much you should be paying for short-term and long-term. Overall, an adviser is essential in understanding which offset mortgage is the right choice for you.
There is no point assuming you will pay off your offset mortgage in five minutes, or that you will earn £10 million this year - assumption will not help you find which offset mortgage will save you the most. Decide how much you realistically earn by looking at your past record, and how much you will really save each month. You need to be realistic if you want to know which offset mortgage will fit your needs.
Many people who find themselves in mortgage difficulties can attribute it to over-estimating what they would earn or what they would spend before deciding on their mortgage. So which offset mortgage is the best choice? The offset mortgage that fits with reality, not with your dreams.
Also, before you decide on which offset mortgage to choose, consider your other debts. If you are burdened with some other financial responsibilities, an offset can help - credit card deficits can be included into the current account mortgage - but if you have considerable deficits all over the place, it may be better to go for another loan. Be realistic - if you are not in a position to take an offset mortgage, don't do it.
To know which offset mortgage is best you must know what you want in the future. Set out any long-term plans and goals before deciding which offset mortgage to go for, and discuss all your plans with your adviser before you let him tell you which offset mortgage product is the best for you now.