Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
Bank of Ireland Expands Bespoke Mortgage Range with 6x Income Lending
Bank of Ireland has announced a brilliant shakeup to its Bespoke mortgage range, increasing maximum income multiples and loan sizes to help more buyers access higher-value properties and lending options that weren’t previously available. The changes should help...
Skipton First Time Buyer Mortgages
Skipton Building Society has built a strong reputation for backing first-time buyers, particularly those who might otherwise struggle to get onto the property ladder. Whether it’s helping renters buy a home without needing a traditional deposit, or allowing buyers to...
Kensington Mortgages Cuts Rates On Mortgages in Early 2026
Kensington Mortgages has announced a fresh round of mortgage rate reductions in the first week of 2026, cutting rates by up to 0.24% across its residential mortgage range. The changes apply to both 2-year and 5-year fixed-rate products, offering improved options for...
How Expensive Is a Mortgage? A Full Guide to UK Mortgage Costs
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...
TMW Cuts Mortgage Affordability Stress Rates to Help Landlords
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...
UK Mortgage Rates Fall Slightly in June, but Pace Slows
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...
A Rooftop View of Protection: Guardian’s 2024 Claims Report
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...
How Much Can I Borrow for a Mortgage? A Guide to Home Financing
If you're looking to purchase a home, one of the initial and most important things you'll be wanting to know is: how much can I borrow (mortgage)? Having an understanding of your borrowing capacity is the secret to a realistic budget and getting the correct property....
Halifax Mortgage Income Criteria Update Boosts Affordability
Big news from Halifax! In a somewhat unexpected move from one of the biggest lenders in the UK mortgage market, Halifax has just announced a major upgrade to its mortgage income criteria, making it easier for people with bonus income or NHS overtime to qualify for a...
UK Housing Market Trends 2025 According To Zoopla
The UK housing market enjoyed its busiest May ever since the 2021 pandemic bubble, according to the most recent House Price Index (HPI) by Zoopla. Sales agreed increased to a four-year high due to improved mortgage affordability, competitive levels of lending, and a...
Santander Fixed Rate Mortgage Increase: Act Now
Remortgagers and homebuyers need to act quickly as Santander has announced a blanket increase in its fixed rate mortgage ranges, effective on Tuesday the 27th of May 2025. These will apply to new business and product transfer mortgage rates across the board for home...
Sole Trader Mortgage Myths Stop Applications In Their Tracks
New research from specialist lender The Mortgage Lender (TML) reveals that a large number of self-employed individuals, particularly sole traders, are being held back from homeownership by widespread sole trader mortgage misconceptions. According to TML’s study, 28%...
Mortgage Rates Are Falling. But Could I Borrow More Too?
With mortgage rates dropping and headlines buzzing, many homeowners and first-time buyers are excited about lower monthly repayments. But there’s more good news that’s flying under the radar, falling interest rates are also increasing how much some buyers can borrow....
NatWest Unveils Changes to Mortgages For First-Time Buyers
First-time buyers searching for ways to get on the property ladder in 2025 have just received a welcome boost from NatWest. The high street bank has announced a series of major changes to its mortgage affordability rules, as well as the launch of a brand-new...
Top Mortgage Advice 2025 Trends: Expert Advice from Oportfolio
The UK mortgage market is truly alive right now, and I’m not just saying that. Over the past week alone, I’ve had a flood of enquiries from a wide variety of clients, all looking to explore their mortgage and property finance options. With mortgage rates continuing to...
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