October has truly been the month for rate instability in my opinion. None of us wanted rates to fluctuate as much as they have over the last month or so, and I don’t think that I was the only one who thought that we might at least enjoy some stability until the end of...
Louis Mason
Barclays Introduces New Maximum Age For Mortgage Applicants
This morning, Barclays Mortgages has announced a new set of age-related criteria for its residential mortgage offerings, hoping to simplifying the mortgage application process for older borrowers. The changes, establish new guidelines for maximum age limits,...
Energy Efficiency Report Shows Opportunities and Challenges for Buy-to-Let Investors
Today, The Mortgage Works (TMW) Nationwide Building Society’s buy-to-let lending only arm released their energy efficiency report for the private buy-to-let rental sector. The latest report from The Mortgage Works explores the energy efficiency of the UK's private...
The Mortgage Lender (TML)’s September 2023 Economic Update
In the ever-changing landscape of the mortgage and housing market, staying informed about economic trends and policy shifts is crucial for prospective homebuyers, homeowners, and industry professionals such as ourselves at Oportfolio Mortgages. The Mortgage Lender...
BM Solutions Announces Changes to Buy-to-Let Stress Rates
In a move that could impact landlords and property investors across the UK, BM Solutions (also known as Birmingham Midshires) has today announced significant changes to its buy-to-let stress rates, set to take effect on Thursday the 7th of September 2023. These...
Why Use A Mortgage Broker Instead Of A Bank
When it comes to securing a mortgage for your dream home, you have two primary options: working with a mortgage broker or going directly to a bank or lender. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages, and the decision of whether to go to a mortgage broker or...
UK Mortgage Lenders Slash Rates in Late Summer 2023
As summer draws to a close in the UK, there's good news on the horizon for prospective homebuyers, property investors, and those looking to restructure their existing mortgages. Several major UK mortgage lenders have announced rate reductions and new competitive...
NatWest Buy-To-Let Stress Rate Reduced
In a move that is set to benefit landlords and property investors across the UK, NatWest has recently unveiled some reductions in their Buy-to-Let stress rate tests. The adjustments, which come into effect immediately, reflect NatWest's commitment to supporting the...
New NatWest Criteria for Non-UK Nationals Purchasing in the UK
In a recent move that is set to simplify the mortgage application process for non-UK nationals, NatWest has unveiled a new policy change concerning the use of share codes in conjunction with passports. This new change to NatWest's criteria opens up new possibilities...
Understanding TSB’s Mortgage Affordability Criteria
Buying a home is a significant financial milestone, and securing a mortgage is often a crucial step in this process. TSB, a prominent retail and commercial bank, has established a set of mortgage affordability criteria to ensure that potential borrowers can...
Pros and Cons of Buying Property With Friends or Family
Purchasing a residential house is a significant milestone in anyone's life, often symbolising financial stability and personal achievement. However, the soaring property prices in recent years have made this dream a bit more challenging to attain. Mortgage...
Understanding BM Solutions Mortgage Affordability For Buy-to-Lets
Owning a property is an aim held by many, and owning further properties to rent out and earn a secondary income is a dream that can become a reality, with the right mortgage partner and broker. In this blog post, we'll explore the realm of mortgage affordability with...
Virgin Introduces New Mortgage Products Whilst Retiring Others
In an effort to adapt to the ever changing UK mortgage market, Virgin Money, the banking arm of Richard Branson's Virgin Group, is set to launch a series of new mortgage products today (23rd of August 2023). These offerings cater to a range of borrowers, from...
Leeds Building Society Cuts Mortgage Rates for Select Products
Leeds Building Society, a prominent name in the mortgage industry, has recently announced a move to reduce mortgage rates for certain products, aiming to provide enhanced financial benefits to potential homebuyers and homeowners. The institution's decision to adjust...
HSBC Reduce Rates On Entire Product Range
In a significant development for the mortgage market, HSBC has revealed upcoming changes to its mortgage product ranges that are set to take effect from this Wednesday, the 23rd of August 2023. These updates will impact both residential borrowers and Buy-to-Let (BTL)...
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