Viewers of one of the BBC’s most popular programmes, The Great British Bake Off, saw last year’s winner, John Whaite, take on many challenges to impress judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood. But in ten questions from What Mortgage he explains to Rebekah Commane that none of his baking feats were quite as challenging as the road to homeownership.
Rebekah: What have you been up to since winning GBBO? I hear you are embarking on a career in food?
John: I’ve been baking a lot. I’ve just finished writing my second book so that’s a total of 250 recipes for the books alone, not to mention the magazine and TV recipes I’ve had to write. But I absolutely love it.
R: Was purchasing a home one of your ambitions before you started on the show?
J: Yes – when I was 6 I complained to my mum that I would never get on the housing ladder, so I was thinking ahead, even back then! My partner was ambitious to buy, though ironically, at the time we bought, we weren’t even looking to actively buy.
R: What was the biggest hurdle you faced in becoming a homeowner?
J: Sorting out the accounts and working out the costs – there are always more costs than you first think, so a forensic inspection of what’s going to cost what, twice, is always recommend.
R: What were the main things you were looking for in a home? You must have wanted a decent kitchen for baking in?
J: Yes I needed a fairly spacious kitchen with lots of workspace. I always dreamed of having a city apartment with steps up to the front door, and ceilings high enough for curtains to fall down to the floor – and I got it.
R: Did you do much research into the best rates and products for your requirements before going ahead with the mortgage application? Did you use a mortgage advisor?
J: I had to use a mortgage advisor because no one else – even my own bank, Natwest– would take the risk. I’m now seriously considering moving my accounts elsewhere, I don’t have time to be ignored by a bank!
R: Were you familiar with the need for conveyancing and how the process works before you began looking at homeownership? What do you know about it now?
J: Not at all – I’d aced my Land Law exams at university, but paper and practice are two different enterprises. Luckily, the conveyancing process was a dream thanks to Beaumont Legal who kept me posted throughout. Nick Masheder, who is a Partner and Head of Conveyancing at Beaumont Legal, was fantastic at keeping me informed, which I think is the most vital part of the process for a first time buyer.
R: Do you have any words of wisdom about the process of becoming a homeowner that you could pass on to prospective first-time buyers?
J: Always hassle your solicitor, broker and agent – for them it’s just another job process, but for you it’s the biggest thing you’ll ever do, so do it with backbone!
R: What’s your opinion of the new government schemes, like Help to Buy, that help first-time buyers to get on the housing ladder with a smaller deposit?
J: So long as there are serious inspections on affordability – not just for the short-term, but also in worst-case inflation scenarios. It’s good to own your own home, but if you end up crippled with debt then it seriously isn’t worth it! A roof, be it rented or owned, and food on the table is really all that you need.
R: What difference has owning your own home made to you? How does it feel?
J: I keep forgetting I own it. Though when I remember, I do feel a sense of pride. Until the mortgage money is taken out of my account of course. I was paying something ridiculous like £300 a month rent (including bills) before, now our monthly outgoings on the house (including bills etc) is something like £1,800 – I’m still not sure if it is really worth it!
R: And finally, which was more of a challenge, the process of homeownership or baking that show-stopping Heaven and Hell cake?!
J: Home ownership without a doubt!
John Whaite Bakes: Recipes for Every Day and Every Mood published by Headline is in stores and online now!
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