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It’s important to pay attention to all the details of a home loan contract because they could protect you in the event something goes awry. One clause you should give particular attention to is the subject to finance clause.
A subject to finance clause gives you the option of terminating your loan contract and recovering your deposit if you can't get finance approved. In other words, the property purchase becomes conditional on you being able to get finance (a mortgage). If you are unable to get a home loan then the subject to finance clause means you can get your deposit back.
This clause also sets out the steps you need to follow to inform the property’s vendor if you’re unable to obtain finance.
Here's how it works.
A subject to finance clause is a fairly standard inclusion, and is also incredibly important.
It’s common practice to purchase a property before having your home loan completely sorted. In all likelihood, you would go to an auction or enter into a private treaty sale after getting pre-approval from a lender. While it’s very smart to get pre-approval, it isn’t an ironclad guarantee.
Home loan pre-approval merely means that your bank has decided it is likely to approve your loan. It isn’t legally obligated to do so, and you’re not legally obligated to accept. Any number of hurdles can come up between pre-approval and unconditional approval.
A subject to finance clause serves to protect you in the event that your lender decides not to go ahead with the home loan. It’s crucial that you make sure this clause is included in your contract, unless you’re 100% certain your home loan is in order.
Subject to finance clauses are especially important if there’s any doubt about a property’s valuation. Once you’ve signed a contract to buy a property, your lender will conduct a valuation. If this valuation comes in lower than expected, they could decide not to extend you credit for your purchase, or to offer you a lower loan amount. Without a subject to finance clause, you could be caught having to make up the shortfall.
While subject to finance clauses are important, not all are created equal. While one clause could protect you and your deposit money, another could end up being used as a weapon to pursue you for damages should your purchase not go through.
Pay attention to the following:
If you breach the subject to finance clause you risk losing your deposit (if you have already paid it). And because you are legally obligated to buy the property, the vendor could force you to go ahead with the purchase. On top of this, they can also sue you for breach of contract, making you liable for damages and court costs.
This could add up to an overwhelming financial burden very quickly. For instance, if the vendor was counting on the funds from the sale to buy another property, they could pursue you for any losses resulting from their purchase falling through.
This is why it’s incredibly important to pay attention to the subject to finance clause, and to ensure it provides you adequate protection. And it also underscores the necessity of having your contract scrutinised by a conveyancer or solicitor.
Ultimately, you shouldn’t rely on your own assessment of a subject to finance clause. It’s crucial to seek out legal advice when buying a property. Have a solicitor examine the contract to ensure it provides the protection you need.
The fees you pay to a good solicitor will, of course, add to the cost of purchasing your home. However, making certain you’re protected in the event something goes wrong with your finance could save you untold costs in the long-run.
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