Could you afford to buy Bridget Jones’s central London flat or the countryside cottage from The Holiday?

Ever wondered what it would cost to buy Bridget Jones’s flat in Borough Market? Fancy living in the countryside cottage from The Holiday? Thinking about splashing out on the McCallister’s Chicago mansion from Home Alone? Find out if you could afford them with new research from Which? Mortgage Advisers.

Which? Mortgage Advisers has calculated the cost of six of the most famous fictional Christmas homes from films, how much deposit you would need and how much your mortgage repayments would be each month. It also offers advice on what to consider when looking to buy properties like these with a mortgage.


David Blake of Which? Mortgage Advisers said:
“With houses often full to the brim, Christmas can be a time to start thinking about what the next step on the property ladder might be.

“Buying a home can be one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make, so it’s important you can separate the facts from the fiction. Seeking independent advice from a reputable mortgage adviser can help you understand how much you can afford to borrow and how much it will cost. ”

Four of the six fictional Christmas homes are revealed here. To check out the full list, visit: https://www.which.co.uk/christmas-homes

 

  1. Bridget Jones’s Diary – Borough, London

 

Estimated property value: £693,000

Monthly mortgage repayment: £3,000

Deposit required: £69,300

 

Situated in the heart of Borough Market, this cosy one-bedroom flat is perfect for those looking to escape life’s ups and downs and the hustle and bustle of London town.

Mortgage notes: Properties next to or above commercial businesses are more difficult to secure mortgages on. Smells from the bar and kitchen of the pub below could drift into the flat, and the property may be deemed as being at an increased risk of fire.

 

 

  1. The Holiday – Surrey, UK

 

Estimated property value: £882,000

Monthly mortgage repayment: £3,800

Deposit required: £88,200

 

A delightful English cottage just 40 minutes from London. Alongside the fairytale English garden, the property comes with a range of unique features including a wood fire, cosy mini library and welcoming kitchen with a fitted Aga.

Mortgage notes: You may well be able to get a 90% mortgage on a house like this, but older properties can be more prone to damp which can seriously put lenders off, so check it’s well-insulated before putting in an offer.

 

 

  1. Home Alone – Chicago, Illinois

 

Estimated property value: £1.53 million

Monthly mortgage repayment: £5,800

Deposit required: £306,000

This detached, red-brick Georgian house boasts an impressive 14 bedrooms, a dining room, laundry room, family room, basement and a kitchen big enough to feed the five thousand. The property has been fully checked for booby traps; however, the security system is in need of an update.

Mortgage notes: While this enormous house would theoretically be ideal for a large family, you might struggle to get a mortgage on it if you have a big brood as lenders will often heavily reduce the amount someone can borrow after factoring in childcare costs. US mortgage providers would normally require a 20% deposit on this kind of property.

 

 

  1. A Christmas Carol – City of London, UK

 

Estimated property value: £980,000

Monthly mortgage repayment: £3,500

Deposit required: £245,000

 

With its wide feature staircase, creaky wooden floorboards and Victorian architecture, some might say this property has a character of its own. A generous makeover is needed, including updates to central heating and electrics; however, the house has huge potential.

Mortgage notes: Ideal for a property developer. High street lenders will typically only lend against properties that are in a habitable condition, so some refurbishment finance (perhaps in the form of a bridging loan) might be needed. This kind of finance usually requires a bigger deposit and the interest rate might be quite high.

 

 

Notes to Editors

  • Which? Mortgage Advisers estimated property prices based on a number of factors and are for entertainment purposes only. The houses used are based on fictional stories and characters.

  • USD/GBP exchange rates correct as at 22nd November 2018.

  • Which? Mortgage Advisers is one of Which?’s commercial services. When an important market fails to deliver value for customers, we develop products and services that put customers’ needs first. Which? Mortgage Advisers provides truly independent, whole-of-market mortgage advice. You can find out more by visiting: https://mortgageadvisers.which.co.uk

  • Which? Mortgage Advisers can only advise on mortgages for properties within the United Kingdom.

  • Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with repayments on your mortgage.

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