Is a Bigger Deposit Always Better?
When it comes to getting a mortgage in the UK, one of the first questions many people ask is: “Is a bigger deposit always better?” It’s a common assumption that putting down a larger deposit will save you money and make the process smoother. But is that always true? The simple answer is: not necessarily. […]
What is Loan-to-Value (LTV)? A Simple Guide to UK Mortgages
What is Loan-to-Value (LTV)? Buying a home or an investment property usually involves taking out a mortgage. When applying for a mortgage in the UK, one term you’ll often hear is Loan-to-Value, or LTV. But what exactly does LTV mean, and why does it matter? In this guide, we’ll explain what loan-to-value is in a […]
What is Remortgaging and How Does It Work? A Simple Guide for UK Homeowners
What is Remortgaging and How Does It Work? If you own a home or an investment property in the UK, you might have heard the term remortgaging but aren’t quite sure what it means or whether it could benefit you. Remortgaging could help you: In this blog post, we’ll explain what remortgaging is, how remortgaging […]
What Happens if Mortgage Rates Rise?
When mortgage rates rise, it can feel like a major financial change. For UK homeowners, first-time buyers and buy-to-let landlords, rising mortgage rates can affect monthly payments, affordability, remortgage options and long-term financial planning. Whether you have a fixed rate mortgage, a variable rate mortgage, a residential mortgage or a buy-to-let mortgage, understanding how rising […]
Fixed vs Tracker Mortgages: Understanding the Key Differences for UK Buyers
Choosing the wrong mortgage type can make monthly payments harder to manage. When you’re looking to buy a home or invest in property in the UK, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is choosing the right mortgage type. Two popular options are fixed-rate mortgages and tracker mortgages. But what exactly do these terms mean, […]
Housebuilders cut back on construction as UK mortgage rate rises spook buyers
Work on residential building sites slips in May to weakest level since 2009 UK banks pull hundreds more mortgage deals as fixed rates rise Britain’s housebuilders are cutting back on the construction of new homes amid signs that potential buyers are being spooked by the prospect of increases in mortgage rates over the coming months. […]
Mortgages: UK lenders continue to raise rates and pull deals
Record 19% of all loans taken out by first-time buyers in March were for 35 years or longer Business live – latest updates Mortgage market misery has stepped up for homebuyers as lenders continue to increase borrowing rates and pull deals, prompting record numbers to take out loans of more than 35 years in an […]
Agreed house sales in UK at highest point this year, says Zoopla
But property website warns that rebound in activity could be hit by rising mortgage rates More prospective house sellers are returning to the UK’s property market, pushing agreed home sales to their highest point of the year in May, according to Zoopla, although it warned that the rebound in activity could be knocked by rising […]
UK interest rate rise: what it means for you
How the new base rate of 4.25% might affect mortgages, house prices and credit cards Business live – latest updates Analysis: Is this the end of interest rate rises? Bank of England raises interest rates to 4.25% The Bank of England has yet again raised interest rates, this time by 0.25 percentage points, taking the […]
UK mortgage deals: how to navigate the rollercoaster rates ride
Amid a debate about what is happening to the housing market, what are your options? We are in the grip of a mortgage price war, according to some experts – but it probably won’t feel like that if you are staring down the barrel of much higher monthly payments. It is certainly fair to say […]
Bank of England raises UK interest rates to 4%
Hike of 0.5 percentage points lifts rates to 14-year high, but BoE says shorter and shallower recession now more likely Interest rates rise again but Bank of England hints at a brighter future The Bank of England raised interest rates for a tenth consecutive time on Thursday from 3.5% to 4%, but said inflation may […]
UK demand for mortgages slumps as interest rates deter buyers
Bank of England figures also reveal many households are dipping into savings, rather than using credit cards Demand for mortgages has collapsed to its lowest level since the depths of the 2020 lockdown as potential homebuyers are deterred by rising interest rates, the latest official figures show. The Bank of England said the number of […]
UK homeowners: are you considering downsizing for cheaper mortgage repayments?
We’d like to hear from homeowners in the UK who are thinking of downsizing to a cheaper property in order to reduce monthly mortgage payments As disposable incomes in the UK are forecast to slump by 3.8% in 2023, and more than five million families could see their annual mortgage payments rise by an average […]
What is happening to the UK homebuying and rental markets?
House prices for buyers have started to fall, while housing rents have reached record highs For Joe, a youth worker in his 20s, soaring rents have made living and working in London precarious. “Our rent costs 50% of our combined wage before bills,” says Joe, who shares with his partner, a receptionist. They pay £1,450 […]