Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
New Low Barclays Mortgage Rates Of 3.96% Announced
Barclays Bank has announced a new wave of mortgage rate reductions, with some products falling below 4% for the first time in months. As of the 4th of March 2025, the bank has lowered rates across a range of mortgage products, including its Green Home five-year...
Mortgage Rates Drop as Lenders Introduce New Sub-4% Deals
Fixed mortgage rates have fallen once again this week, with new sub-4% deals entering the market, according to Moneyfacts. However, despite these reductions, the average rates on two- and five-year fixed mortgages remained unchanged compared to the previous week. In...
The Rise of Later Life Mortgage Lending
Later life mortgage lending is on the rise in the UK, with more older borrowers securing mortgages than ever before. According to the latest UK Finance data, the number of mortgages taken out by older borrowers surged to 35,840 in Q4 2024, marking a significant 28.2%...
Mortgage Application Rejected Because of Cladding
Our clients, a couple looking to sell their existing property and purchase a new dream home, initially opted to approach their bank directly for a mortgage. Believing it would be a straightforward process, they found themselves in a complex situation due to issues...
The Mortgage Lender’s First Economic Update of 2024
This morning The Mortgage Lender (TML) released its first economic update of 2024, providing brokers with valuable insights into the economic landscape that will shape the mortgage and housing markets in the coming year. The report itself outlines key factors...
Almost Half of First-Time Buyers Get Help From a Government Scheme
In the world of rising living costs, the journey to homeownership is a bit of a financial puzzle for many first-time buyers. A recent survey by Uswitch Mortgages sheds light on the strategies employed by these buyers to step onto the property ladder and the...
Overcoming Mortgage Challenges for an International Client
International Client Mortgage - Background: Our client, a recent immigrant to the UK, sought to navigate the complex landscape of securing a mortgage for his new home. Having moved to the country just six months ago, possessing a 5-10% deposit, and holding a 5-year...
Birmingham Midshires Revamps Buy-to-Let Stress Rate Tests
In a move welcomed by the property investment community, Birmingham Midshires (BM Solutions) has announced significant changes to its buy-to-let stress rate tests at the application stage, effective from today, Tuesday the 16th of January 2024. These modifications are...
Exclusive Coutts Mortgage Products for High Net Worth Clients
In as diverse a market as the London mortgage scene, it is so important for brokers to be able to cater to a wide range of borrowers. At Oportfolio Mortgages, we collaborate with private banks such as Coutts to provide tailored solutions for high net worth...
Co-operative Bank Temporarily Withdraws Majority of Products
In a perhaps unsurprising turn of events, Co-operative Bank has announced the temporary withdrawal of the majority of its fixed-rate mortgage products for new business. This move comes after the bank experienced an overwhelming surge in demand, prompting concerns over...
Breaking News: Santander Unveils Game-Changing Sub 4% Mortgages
Today Santander has announced a ground breaking reduction in interest rates, with selected residential new business and product transfer 60% Loan-to-Value (LTV) 5-year fixed rates dropping below the 4% mark. A sub 4% mortgage offering has not been seen for many months...
Barclays Announces Significant Reductions in Mortgage Interest Rates
In a positive development for potential homebuyers, Barclays has just announced substantial reductions in mortgage interest rates across its Residential Purchase range. The news, delivered in a communication to brokers at Oportfolio Mortgages this morning, reveals...
How Important Is Honesty When Applying For Life Insurance?
When it comes to personal insurance, the foundation of a robust and reliable coverage plan always lies in the accuracy of the information provided during the application stage. Whether you're applying for life insurance or critical illness insurance or any other kind...
Accord and Bank of Ireland Make Changes to Mortgage Products
Accord Mortgages and Bank of Ireland have today announced some significant changes to their mortgage product ranges, impacting both Buy to Let and Residential offerings. The alterations are set to take effect on Tuesday the 9th of January 2024, with each lender...
Halifax House Price Index Reveals December Surge But Warns of Potential 2024 Downturn
In the latest Halifax House Price Index report for December 2023, UK house prices have experienced a third consecutive monthly rise, but experts caution a potential downturn in 2024. December UK House Price Surge According to the Halifax House Price Index, the average...
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