With the average UK house price now surpassing £300,000, according to Halifax, mortgage affordability remains one of the biggest barriers facing buyers, particularly first-time buyers trying to secure their first home. In response to growing affordability challenges,...
If you’re searching for a mortgage broker in London, you’re likely facing one of the most competitive and complex property markets in the UK. From rising house prices and strict affordability checks to specialist lending requirements, securing the right mortgage in...
Clydesdale Bank continues to stand out in the UK mortgage market for its flexible, common-sense approach to lending, particularly for borrowers with complex incomes, non-standard circumstances or higher loan requirements. As the market moves through 2026, Clydesdale’s...
Self-employed people typically face particular challenges in securing a mortgage. Starting your own business is great, but it will complicate your path to homeownership. At Oportfolio, we often help freelancers, contractors, and entrepreneurs secure reasonably priced...
When buying a home or remortgaging, you will be told to "speak with a mortgage broker", but what do they do and how can they help? At Oportfolio, our work as mortgage brokers is to take a complex process and make it simple and give you the best chance of mortgage...
TSB Bank has announced a significant change to its mortgage lending criteria, increasing the maximum loan-to-income (LTI) multiple for self-employed applicants. From today, self-employed individuals seeking a mortgage may be eligible to borrow up to 5.5 times their...
Buying your first home in London can be an exhilarating but daunting process. With house prices varying so wildly across the capital, it's important to find a location that balances affordability, transport links, facilities, and growth potential just right. Day in,...
Quick Answer Most UK mortgage lenders require at least a 5% deposit, but putting down 10% to 20% can unlock better rates. For a £250,000 home, that’s a minimum of £12,500. The more you put down, the more affordable your mortgage is long-term. What Is a Mortgage...
Buying a home in London is daunting, especially if you have a small deposit. With housing prices significantly higher than other areas of the UK, it can be overwhelming for many potential buyers. Even so, a small deposit doesn't have to be a setback. This is how you...
Buying your first home is exciting, and sometimes overwhelming. Recently, we worked with a client, Sarah, a first-time buyer in her early 30s, who had just had an offer accepted on a one-bedroom flat in Putney. If you're looking for a first-time buyer mortgage, Putney...
Buying property in London is a massive financial commitment, and the mortgage process can feel like a maze. Over the years at Oportfolio, we've seen many clients come to us after running into avoidable mistakes. Here's what we believe are the five biggest mortgage...
When planning to buy a home or invest in property, one of the biggest questions is: how expensive is a mortgage? The answer isn’t always straightforward. Mortgages come in different types, terms, and interest structures, all of which impact the total cost you’ll pay...
The Mortgage Works (TMW), a leading Buy to Let lender, has today announced a reduction in affordability stress rates for individual landlords, making it easier for them to borrow more on selected mortgage applications. Changes To Buy-To-Let Mortgage Affordability...
Average mortgage rates in the UK have dipped again in June, though the declines are smaller than last month’s drops, according to the latest data from Moneyfacts. Meanwhile, product choice has decreased slightly, and the shelf-life of mortgage deals has shortened. In...
Yesterday, I had the absolute pleasure of attending a truly memorable evening hosted by Guardian Financial Services to celebrate the release of the Guardian Financial Services 2024 Claims Report. Held at the stunning Wagtail rooftop bar in King William Street, central...
If you have any questions about UK mortgage news or anything you’ve read then please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.