Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
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Santander Early Repayment Charge Waiver for Home Movers
Santander has announced a positive change for mortgage customers looking to move home, extending the period in which they can avoid Early Repayment Charges (ERCs) when switching to a new deal. From Monday the 3rd of February 2025, Santander will waive ERCs for...
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NatWest Mortgage Rates Increase: What This Means for Borrowers
NatWest has announced yet another round of mortgage rate increases, effective from the 31st January 2025 (This Friday). The changes, which impact a variety of mortgage products across its new business range, see rate hikes of between 0.02% and 0.11% on selected two-...
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Barclays Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor Mortgage Boost Unveiled
Barclays has today announced the expansion of its Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor (JBSP) Mortgage Boost range, designed specifically to help struggling first-time buyers to secure larger loans in today’s challenging housing market. It is no secret that first-time...
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...
Does Your Insurance Cover You For 100% Of Malignant Cancers?
Facing a diagnosis of cancer is a daunting prospect, both emotionally and financially. While insurance can provide a safety net during such a challenging time, it's crucial to understand the extent of coverage offered, especially when it comes to malignant cancers. In...
Children’s Critical Illness Cover
In today's unpredictable world, being financially resilient is paramount, especially when it comes to safeguarding the well-being of your family. While conversations about financial security often revolve around protecting oneself or a partner against serious...
Coventry Raises Mortgage Rates: What You Need to Know
Coventry Building Society has recently announced changes to its mortgage rates, affecting both new and existing borrowers across various categories. In a communication sent out to Oportfolio mortgages today, Coventry have announced several rate increases. Here's a...
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