FAQ - a quick guide.
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I've heard some horror stories about mortgage intermediaries so how
do I know I am choosing the right one? |
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Yes, we've heard many a horror story ourselves but you need only look at our testimonials and case studies to find just what we have done for our customers and often the extraordinary lengths we go to make sure our customers are okay.
'The difference that makes the difference' is that we want you to come back to us again in the future when you need us. |
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Why should I trust you? |
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This is a very good question and one we love to answer.
Put simply, we are passionate about doing the right job for our customers. This passion for honesty and integrity has resulted in many of our customers becoming friends. Moreover, we give a straight answer to a straight question.
This may sometimes loses us business because some other firms may tell you what you want to hear and only pass on the truth at the last minute when it's too late. When you call us, you will get an honest assessment of your particular wishes and objectives backed up by professionalism and experience.
Put another way, we recognize that without our customers we would not have a business at all, and so we put our customers at the centre of everything we do as a business.
Our testimonials tell you all you need to know. |
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What can I use the money for? |
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You can use the money for any legal purpose.
This may be to provide working capital to expand or diversify your business, to buy equipment, put up buildings, to repay other more expensive debt or to reduce outgoings. Our customers often buy their dream property or land or simply want to raise money for personal or leisure purposes.
As long as the purpose is legal you can use the money for anything you desire. |
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Who will I be dealing with and what are you like? |
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We've been involved in the finance business for over thirty-five years combined, and you will deal only with the principals and in almost all cases you will meet one of us.
When we turn up we are relaxed and friendly and we hung our suits up a good while ago! You might wish to think carefully about people who will rush out to see you next day because they are likely to be doing this for their own benefit and not yours if you tell us something that means we need to do something quickly then we will but generally what dictates the pace is your requirements.
We have a 'can do attitude' and have helped many of our customers achieve their dreams. If we feel we can't achieve what you want we will tell you up front and if we can't help we may be able to help you find someone who can but only with your permission.
Above all, from the heart, we treat our customers the way we would like to be treated ourselves. |
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I am not sure what type of finance I need? |
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When you call us, we will explain all the options we believe are available to you so that you can make the right choice.
Over many years, we have developed special relationships with the lenders we use.
The way we work is to find a solution to match your objectives. |
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I hate call centres are you one? |
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We hate call centres as well and we find, oddly enough, that none of our customers run their businesses in India so why on earth would they want to talk to someone there?
At all times, a human being, based in the UK, will answer your call. Normally, this will be one of the business principals. The only exception to this is that because some of our customers like to call us out of hours, we do have people who will answer the telephone, as human beings, at any time of the day or night, 365 days of the year.
We have chosen them for their politeness and professionalism though we do try to be around as much as we can. Just occasionally, we like to have a little time to ourselves usually to be with our family.
And we will always call you back. |
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I have credit problems, what's the situation with these? |
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We will handle these situations with care, empathy, professionalism and integrity. We have successfully helped numerous customers with loan arrears, mortgage arrears, rent arrears, defaults, county court judgments (CCJ's) and high court judgments.
We have helped customers who are bankrupt or discharged bankrupts or who are in voluntary arrangements. In many cases we have successfully negotiated with creditors, trustees and supervisors for more time. |
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In a recent case we obtained over #6,000 back from a receiver who we believed had overcharged our customer. Our customer did not ask us to do this but we helped because we have a keen sense of what is fair.
We believe there are not many firms who would help in this way. |
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I'm up against it financially and in business why does life appear so hard? |
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Actually, this isn't one of our frequently asked questions but it is included here because it ought to be.
There is no doubt that farming has had its share of bad fortune over the last few years. What with foot and mouth, BSE and struggling prices let alone a government wanting to turn the countryside into a playground it's no wonder that many of our customers are relieved when they find someone like us who will listen. There is no easy answer to the question though, except that because people do business with people we can work together for our mutual success.
Think positively and remember if you think you can or you think you can't you're right! You see you are already successful. Just look at one definition of success to see why you are: -
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the World a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. |
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I am Self Employed and cannot confirm my income? |
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We have access to lenders who will allow applicants to self-certify their income. So if you are self-employed or have no accounts we can help.
This may come as a refreshing change for those of you who may have a bank overdraft where each year you will pay your bankers for the privilege of being an unpaid statistician for them to renew your facility. All of this will be a thing of the past. |
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Do you deal only with problem cases? |
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No, and we have access to lenders offering very competitive deals whatever your circumstances.
Of course, not everybody will qualify for the finance they want but from us you will know this early on and not when it's too late. |
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My bank is being difficult can you help? |
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We hear a lot from our customers about this sort of thing. They've had a manager for how many years and been with the bank since 'Adam was a lad' and then a new man comes in and the relationship becomes strained.
Our customers cannot believe how they can be treated this way and yet we see this all the time. The answer is that we consider all cases,give you an honest assessment of your options, and then suggest a way forward.
We may be able to negotiate with your bank and have special experience of those cases where your account may be to recoveries. |
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I'm not a farmer/ my business is not strictly agricultural- can you help me? |
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We have our roots based in rural finance and specialize in providing funding for rural properties, smallholdings, farms, equestrian, horticultural and most countryside related activities.
However, our lenders do get involved in commercial, bridging and asset finance and property development funding for most types of property.
The simplest way to find out if we can help is to call us! |
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How quickly can I get my money? |
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We have cases that have had their money in 3 working days after calling us. Obviously, no matter who tells you, this is exceptional but we can turn cases round very quickly.
However, the most important thing is this we will work according to the timescale you want and as your circumstances dictate. |
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My Property has an Agricultural Tie or Restriction, is this problem? |
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On the whole, our lenders do not have a problem with Agricultural or other restrictions.
There are some exceptions depending upon the wording of the planning condition. If you are considering buying a property with a planning restriction you need to get hold of a copy of the condition to see what the wording says.
The planning approval notice will be available from the planning department of the local authority. Once you have this, please call us so that we can ensure the wording is suitable for lending purposes.
In one of our case studies you will see an example where one of our competitors overlooked that the property our customers were buying had an agricultural restriction with almost disastrous consequences.
Our experience, in the end, was the difference that made the difference.
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I've just got planning permission and want to convert some barns on my land; can
you help? |
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We can offer re-mortgage or development finance depending on what you intend to do with the finished project.
We also can guide you on what is required throughout. If you are new to development, there are some do's and don'ts that we will be able to give you help and guidance with. |
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If I'm interested, how do I start the process? |
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Simply telephone us on the Freephone 0800 008 7349 below, or e-mail us at info@farmandcountryfinance.com |
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