Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
UK Mortgage Market Update – 2 March 2026
UK Mortgage Market Update – 2 March 2026 The UK mortgage market continues to shift as expectations around interest rates change, mortgage pricing stabilises, and house price data shows renewed momentum. Here’s what happened this week, and what it means if you’re...
Case Study: How We Helped a London Buyer Borrow £80,000 More Than Their Bank Offered
How We Helped a London Buyer Borrow £80,000 More Than Their Bank Offered The Situation Our clients were a London-based professional couple looking to buy their next home with a required mortgage of £700,000. They had strong incomes and a solid deposit in place, but...
What Salary Do I Need for a £400k Mortgage in the UK?
In most cases, you’ll need a salary of around £80,000–£100,000 to get a £400k mortgage in the UK, depending on your deposit, income type, and lender affordability rules. Below, we break down realistic salary scenarios, deposit examples and lender calculations so you...
Government Announces Major Changes For UK Homebuyers
It’s looking likely that millions of UK homebuyers are about to benefit from long-overdue improvements to the home buying and selling process, the government has announced over the last couple of days! With a new initiative to slash delays and reduce the number of...
UK House Prices Reach Record High
The UK housing market kicked off 2025 on a high, with house prices increasing by 0.7% in January 2025, following a slight -0.2% dip in December, according to the latest Halifax House Price Index. The report reveals that the average property price now stands at a...
Accord £5K Deposit Mortgage Expands to Include Flats
First-time buyers looking to get onto the property ladder with a minimal deposit have received a major boost, as Accord Mortgages has expanded its £5K Deposit Mortgage proposition to include flats. This enhancement makes it even easier for buyers to secure a home with...
How Non-Traditional Workers Can Secure a Mortgage
A new study from specialist lender The Mortgage Lender (TML) has revealed that nearly four-fifths (79%) of non-traditional workers, including freelancers, self-employed individuals, and gig economy workers, have homeownership aspirations. Despite the rather tricky...
Accord Mortgage Rates Cut on Residential and Buy-to-Let Products
This morning, Accord Mortgages has announced rate cuts across both its residential and buy-to-let (BTL) mortgage products. The reductions, which take effect immediately, will likely improve affordability for a range of buyers, from first-time homeowners to seasoned...
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...
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-...
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...
Precise Mortgages Launches New Bridging Loan UK Product
Specialist lender Precise Mortgages has expanded its bridging loan range by introducing a new developer exit product and reducing bridging loan rates by 0.07%. Bridging loans are a great alternative lending method for short term finance, and definitely something that...
Are Buy-to-Let Mortgage Rates Set to Rise in 2025?
Buy-to-let mortgage rates have been a focal point for landlords and property investors over the past year, with notable fluctuations influenced by economic events, swap rate markets, and broader financial pressures. Recent analysis by specialist lender Octane Capital...
Nationwide Housing Affordability Report: First-Time Buyer Challenges
The housing market in 2024 offered glimmers of hope for prospective buyers, with Nationwide Building Society’s latest Housing Affordability Report highlighting slight improvements in affordability. However, unfortunately beneath these modest gains lies a sobering...
Can You Borrow Six Times Income With A Helping Hand Mortgage?
The Helping Hand mortgage now potentially allows first-time buyers to borrow up to six times their income. This can increase borrowing capacity by up to 33% more than Nationwide’s standard lending limits, offering a significant boost to those looking at buying their...
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