Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
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...
Abi Muazu From Barclays Mortgages Shares Her Thoughts
A couple of weeks ago, our team at Oportfolio Mortgages had the pleasure of welcoming Abi Muazu, business development manager for Barclays mortgages into our Putney mortgage brokerage. As part of our ongoing commitment to building close relationships with mortgage...
Halifax Increases 2-Year and 5-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates
Halifax announced yesterday an increase in interest rates across its 2-year and 5-year fixed mortgage products. Borrowers will see rate hikes ranging between 0.11% and 0.24%, effective immediately. The changes come as part of a broader shift in mortgage pricing, with...
UK Mortgage Rates Surge as Lenders React to Bank of England
In the wake of the Bank of England's recent decision to maintain its base rate at 5.25%, the UK mortgage market has experienced a wave of volatility. Lenders have swiftly responded by adjusting their fixed-rate deals, anticipating prolonged stability in interest...
Nationwide Raises Mortgage Rates as Santander Cuts Them – Rate Adjustments
This week Nationwide and Santander have announced adjustments to their residential mortgage rates, slated to take effect from today. These rate adjustments aim to cater to evolving consumer demands and market conditions, but the raising of rates seen is certainly...
Never Considered Harpenden Building Society For A Mortgage? Why Not?
When looking for a new mortgage, the landscape can often seem dominated by the big names, leaving smaller institutions overlooked. I’m talking the Halifax, Santander, NatWest, and Nationwide of the mortgage market. However, delving into lesser-known lenders like...
UK Property Market Bounces Back: Surprising Trends Revealed in January 2024 Report!
The latest findings from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) UK Residential Market Survey for January 2024 indicate a promising turnaround in the UK property market. Positive shifts observed in key things such as buyer demand, agreed sales, and new...
Halifax Announces Exciting Rate Reductions of Up To 0.53%
In a move that's sure to make waves in the housing market, Halifax is shaking things up with some exciting changes to its product range. Effective from Thursday the 1st of February 2024, the following modifications are set to give homebuyers and homeowners more...
How We Helped a 63-Year-Old to Keep £2 Million in His Pension While Buying a Property
Meet our client who discovered us on Google - a 63-year-old, semi-retired individual with a whopping pension pot exceeding £2 million. His dream? To own a new home to enjoy his retirement years, without depleting his pension savings and strategically navigate the...
Virgin Money Introduces Fix and Switch Mortgage Offering
In a response to the increasing uncertainty surrounding mortgage rates, Virgin Money has unveiled an innovative Fix and Switch mortgage offering, designed to provide customers with a unique combination of stability and flexibility in a challenging mortgage market. In...
UK Housing Market Soars as House Prices Surge in Early 2024
It seems that the UK housing market has experienced a remarkable upswing in the initial weeks of 2024. Recent reports indicate a substantial 13% increase in new sales agreed, showcasing a robust market rebound driven by pent-up demand and the enticing drop in mortgage...
What Is Income Multiple Calculation for Mortgages?
As mortgage brokers, we encounter a common question from prospective borrowers: "How much can I borrow?" Many individuals rely on the widely circulated notion that they can borrow up to 4.5 times their income. However, this oversimplified rule is just the tip of the...
Our Team Saved Clients £5,000 Monthly on a £5.4 Million Wimbledon Mansion!
In the highly sought after Wimbledon real estate market, our clients embarked on the journey of purchasing a £5.4 million residential property with a substantial £2.2 million mortgage over a 22-year term. Focused on minimising their mortgage payments, our clients...
Santander Surprises Market with Mortgage Rate Rise
In an honestly surprising move, Santander announced today that they would be raising selected standard residential fixed rates for both purchase and remortgage clients. This decision comes at a time when most lenders in the UK are actively reducing their mortgage...
New Barclays Mortgage Rate Reductions Amidst UK Market Trends
In a move reflective of the broader market trends, Barclays Bank has announced significant reductions in mortgage interest rates on a selection of their residential purchase and remortgage products, today. The rate cuts, ranging up to 0.50% across the residential...
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