In a surprising announcement that frankly none of us in the industry really predicted, Barclays Bank has announced significant reductions in the cost of some of their fixed-rate mortgage deals for residential home purchases. From today (8th of May 2024), residential...
Louis Mason
UK House Price Growth Takes a Hit Amidst Rising Costs
UK house price growth has hit a stumbling block, with a recent report from Nationwide building society revealing a 0.4% fall in average property costs last month compared to March 2024. This dip marks a significant slowdown, dragging the annual rate of growth down to...
Fascinating UK Uswitch Remortgage Data Trends Revealed
2024 has already proved to be a tricky year for mortgages in the UK. Many borrowers and brokers hoped that we might have left rate rises back in 2023, however this has not been the case. In the last few weeks we have seen many lenders increase their mortgage rates....
Average Mortgage Term For First-Time Buyers On The Rise
First-time buyer (FTB) mortgages in the UK are experiencing notable shifts, with recent data from TSB shedding light on some new emerging trends. According to TSB's latest findings, the average first-time buyer mortgage term reached 32 years in 2023, marking a steady...
Accord Makes Changes To Part and Part Mortgage Criteria
To streamline and enhance its lending practices, Accord Mortgages has announced significant updates to its Part and Part mortgage criteria. These new criteria changes apply to borrowers looking at Part and Part mortgage loans who intend to sell the property at the end...
We Saved Our Client £1,300 On His Remortgage Payments
In our latest case study, our client approached us seeking assistance in securing the best mortgage rate for his property as his fixed deal, which we had previously arranged for him, was nearing its end. Facing the prospect of transitioning to the lender’s standard...
Portfolio Landlord Mortgages
So you’ve owned a property for a while and decide to rent it out. This initial buy-to-let investment proves to be a profitable source of income for yourself, so you decide to get another. Soon you find that you are in the position to buy more, and more. You have now...
NatWest Switcher Offer Increases Mortgage Rates and Terms
We've just received an important update from NatWest regarding changes to their mortgage offerings for existing customers looking at switcher products. At the end of 2023 and in the first few weeks and months of 2024, lenders had been reducing rates like they were...
Personal Finance for Women: Quick Tips
Happy International Women’s Day! Our team at Oportfolio is a mostly female run outfit, and they are the best in the industry! Our Senior Mortgage and Protection Adviser Jade Pinkerton has put together some quick finance tips for women when looking at personal...
Skipton ‘Track Record Mortgage’ for Low House Deposit
Skipton Building Society has relaunched a popular mortgage product, the 'Track Record Mortgage'. Originally aimed at first-time potential borrowers looking for a low house deposit loan, Skipton has today announced that the product will now extend to both renting...
Santander New Build Mortgage With 95% LTVs
Santander has recently announced a significant expansion of its mortgage offerings, particularly targeting first-time buyers and those looking to invest in new build properties. On the 1st of March 2024, the bank unveiled a range of New Build 3-year fixed rate...
Nationwide Increases Maximum Remortgage Loan To Value
Nationwide Building Society has recently announced a significant enhancement to its remortgage options, offering homeowners greater flexibility and accessibility in refinancing their properties. The building society has raised the maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratios...
Mortgage In Principle For First Time Buyer Helped Secure Million-Pound Home!
In Pimlico, Central London, where property prices soar and competition is fierce, one determined first-time buyer dared to dream big. With a hefty deposit and a six-figure salary, he set his sights on a coveted property listed at over £1,000,000. But in this cutthroat...
Options for First-Time Buyers in a Tough UK Mortgage Market
In a recent analysis by Mortgage Broker Tools (MBT) in collaboration with Pepper Money, disheartening statistics have emerged for first-time buyers in the UK. The data reveals a stark reality: the number of affordable options for first-time buyers plummeted by 40% in...
HSBC Mortgage Rates on the Rise
HSBC has announced adjustments to its residential and Buy to Let (BTL) mortgage product ranges effective from Friday the 23rd of February 2024. The changes, spanning different loan-to-value (LTV) ratios and fixed-rate terms, signal a trend of increasing rates among...
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