Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
What is the First Homes Scheme?
If you're trying to buy your first home in the UK, it can feel like the dream's getting further out of reach, with house prices climbing and mortgage rules getting stricter. But there's good news. The First Homes Scheme could be your affordable key to getting on the...
Fixed vs. Variable Rate Mortgages – Which One Is Right for You?
Of course, when you get a mortgage, one of the biggest choices you'll make is whether or not to use a fixed or variable rate. Both have pros and cons, and which one is best for you will depend on your personal finance, how much risk you're willing to take, and what...
How to Get a Mortgage in South West London
How to Get a Mortgage in South West London: What Local Buyers Need to Know Buying a property in South West London can be exciting, but also complex. Whether you're a first-time buyer in Clapham, a growing family in Wimbledon, or investing in Putney, understanding the...
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...
Capital Gains Tax Changes: What It Means For Landlords And Investors
In recent months, landlords have been anxiously following developments around potential changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT), fearing further strain on an already challenging buy-to-let market. This apprehension comes at a time when the market is facing serious...
What to Expect From 2025 Mortgage Interest Rates
Recently, Jade Pinkerton, senior mortgage and protection advisor at Oportfolio Mortgages attended the Coutts and Savills Market Update webinar. As expected, interest 2024 and 2025 mortgage interest rates and differing predictions were discussed in great detail....
NatWest Mortgages Increase Rates
NatWest mortgages are set to take a bashing this week as the lender announces that their mortgage product rates are due to increase by as much as 0.30%. This is a sharp jolt to mortgage borrowers and frankly to mortgage intermediaries who have all been rejoicing over...
Halifax To Release Mortgages Without Early Repayment Charges
Halifax bank, one of the UK's biggest and most well known mortgage lenders will be releasing some new mortgage products over the next few days, most significantly perhaps, they will be releasing mortgages without early repayment charges. Not only does this mean that...
Where Is The Best Place To Buy Property?
Last week, senior mortgage and protection advisor at Oportfolio Mortgages, Jade Pinkerton attended the latest Coutts and Savills market update webinar. Many interesting property related discussions were held. Perhaps the most interesting and thought provoking...
Buy-to-Let Investment: Is It Still A Good Idea?
This week, senior mortgage and protection advisor at Oportfolio Mortgages Jade Pinkerton attended the latest Coutts Bank and Savills Market Update webinar. One hot topic of discussion was the UK buy-to-let market, and whether it was still ‘worth it’. In this blog, I...
Is Now a Good Time To Buy Residential Property?
This week, senior mortgage and protection advisor at Oportfolio Mortgages Jade Pinkerton attended the latest Coutts Bank and Savills Market Update webinar. Many topics were discussed, but one of particular interest was the questions “Is now a good time to buy...
New-Build Shared Ownership From Teachers Building Society
A new-build shared ownership property can be a great option to when looking to take the first steps on the home ownership ladder. House prices are going up, and in many cases it can be quite difficult for first time buyers to firstly save enough money for a deposit,...
Christina Smith From TSB Mortgages Shares Her Thoughts
This week, our mortgage advisors at Oportfolio Mortgages had the privilege of welcoming Christina Smith, business development manager for TSB mortgages into our London based mortgage brokerage. As part of our ongoing commitment to building close relationships with...
UK House Prices On Upward Trend
As 2024 starts to draw to a close and we enter the final three months of the year, there has been some promising and positive signs for UK property owners regarding UK house prices. Over the last…well…couple of years, really, UK house prices are increased generally....
Opinion Piece: Martin Lewis Is Wrong About Mortgage Rates
Recently, celebrity finance expert Martin Lewis was plastered all over social media because of some controversial comments he made about mortgage rates. On television and on various media platforms, he said that some people are holding off arranging their mortgage or...
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