In life, unforeseen challenges can certainly cast a shadow over our carefully laid plans. When it comes to health, the unpredictability of critical illnesses poses a significant threat to our well-being and financial stability. In the face of such uncertainties, a...
Tips, insights, suggestions, and recommendations written by mortgage and protection experts to help you.
RICS Market Survey Shows Positive Signs For UK Property
This month the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors released their November 2023 RICS Residential Market Survey, a survey which analyses the residential property market and trends. Against a backdrop of challenges, subtle shifts and emerging trends bring a somewhat...
UK Homebuyers Eager to Pay More for Energy Efficient Property
A recent study by Uswitch has uncovered a significant shift in the priorities of UK homebuyers, with more than 4 in 10 (43%) indicating a willingness to pay a premium for energy efficient properties. The findings reveal a growing trend among buyers who are...
The interior design story of our new offices
We have recently moved to new offices at St Georges Court in Putney. With the current trend for creating home offices, we thought it would be a good idea to share the story behind the design of our new home in the hope it may provide some inspiration to our clients...
Why Buying Is Still About Location, Location, Location
You may go into house hunting with an eye on what you can get per square meter or moving to where the biggest garden will be, but the old estate agent’s favourite phrase still rings so true when buying houses – it’s all about location, location, location! Even if...
How do I know if I can afford to move?
This article is aimed at you if you are considering if you can afford moving to a new house. Not just first-time buyers, not just those soon to retire… everyone. If nothing else, the pandemic has shown us that we can't predict the future. So, getting professional...
Bank of Mum & Dad Continues Supporting First-Time Buyers
Every year is a challenging year for first-time buyers, but 2020 really thwarted them as a collective. We don’t need to cover old ground – I think we’d all agree it was a figurative kick-in-the-teeth for many people who might have been hoping to get on the housing...
Am I eligible for the 95% mortgage scheme?
After a challenging year for first time buyers, and those with little deposit to put down, the launch this week of the government-backed 95% mortgage is welcomed by many. The scheme, announced in last month's budget statement, involves the government ‘guaranteeing’...
Should I remortgage to make renovations?
Home renovations have recently become more than just a popular DIY activity, but more of an obsession, as we all try to improve the space in which we live. Being at home so much has lots of us revaluating our dwellings and wanting to make the best of not going abroad...
The housing market one year on from the first lockdown
Exactly one year on from the start of the first lockdown of 2020, how has the housing market changed – and what does the future look like? Oportfolio’s founder, Oliver Whitehead, looks back on a year like no other. It seems incredible to think that it’s been a full...
Why women need to protect their finances
If the pandemic and its three lockdowns have taught us anything at all, it’s that no one ever quite knows what lies around the corner. All being well, the UK will start a cautious reversal of the current social distancing measures in the next few weeks. The Government...
Should I use a professional mortgage broker?
Technology may have its frustrations, but there’s no doubt it has made life much easier when it comes to the business of sorting out personal financial matters like car insurance, choosing a mobile phone provider and buying cheap flights. Price comparison websites...
Deposit Guarantee Scheme Great For First-Time Buyers
Following on from speculation at the back end of last week that the Chancellor will use his Budget speech on Wednesday to announce an extension to the stamp duty holiday, this weekend’s news also suggests Wednesday’s Budget statement may have more glad tidings for...
Are you ready for a Stamp Duty holiday extension?
There has been speculation in the national media in recent days that the Chancellor will use his Budget statement on March 3 to announce a 3-month extension to the Stamp Duty holiday. The initiative was introduced in July of last year to counteract the three-month...
Will I be able to get a mortgage after furlough?
With average house prices at their highest level for 7 years, many people are beginning to look ahead to the spring and summer and assessing their options when it comes to their current home. Recent data shows that average house prices ended 2020 at their highest...
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