Move house before or after baby?

[clarkey82]

Hi, we're expecting our first baby in July. We live in a 3 bed terrace in York which is lovely but it doesn't really have a garden and the kitchen could be bigger. Ideally we'd like to move before the baby is born so we still have two incomes and no dependents in the eyes of the bank. Has anyone had any experience trying to get a mortgage with a new born?

Thanks very much for any advice!

Congratulations! If you can then move before baby is born.

You will probably be alright with applying for a mortgage with a baby but be prepared to be asked questions about maternity pay/leave and whether you intend to go back to work after. Some banks have more stringent criteria than others. They will also ask about child care costs after you go back to work which could also impact on your affordability.

Before. Definitely before!

Definitely before if you can. Then you can get everything ready in the new house for the baby as opposed to decorating with a new born (speaking from experience).

Definitely before!!

We moved about 3 months after my lo was born in the end but all the affordability etc. On the mortgage was done before I went on mat leave and I just didn't mention it. All fine. I'd get cracking now, especially if you have a property to sell.

Definitely before. Much harder to get a mortgage when one of you isn't working, plus depending on how quickly you recover from the birth and how easy or demanding the baby is you may not be in any fit state to cope with a move.

Before! Moved at 6months pregnant- would have been a nightmare with a newborn

Get movers - totally worth the money

I've just got a mortgage whilst on maternity leave so it's not impossible. If you go to a broker they can advise, we didn't get a "worse deal" as it were. Although some lenders won't accept you, lots will. My work had to confirm I was going back etc.

Before. We are in the process of moving now and I'm currently on maternity leave. The mortgage is based on my salary when I return to work which is fine but they also take our future childcare costs into account which has had a big impact on what we can borrow.

Also trying to keep the house tidy for viewings with a newborn is really difficult!

We both now wish we had moved before but on the positive we've had lower mortgage payments while I've been on SMP.

Wow! thank you all so much for your quick response. Right, i'll get cracking and try to move before the baby arrives.

Thanks everyone xxx

You're welcome and good luck with it all!

Just an update for you all. After looking at our finances and deciding that we really couldn't cope without having a grandparent on the doorstep (worked out childcare would be £1000 a month) we've sold our house in York and have bought a house in Cumbria to be near my mum and dad. All happened in 14 days! I'm looking forward to a new life in the country with my DH, puppy and baby.

Thank you for the update! Congratulations on your new home. Looks a brand new start for you in every way. I am also due July and decided to remortgage before the extra dependents kicked in for the application.