Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
Case Study: Helping a Self-Employed Buyer Secure a Mortgage After Their Bank Declined
Case Study: Helping a Self-Employed Buyer Secure a Mortgage After Their Bank Declined This mortgage case study is based on a real client scenario. Details have been simplified to protect client confidentiality. Self-employed borrowers often find applying for a...
What Salary Do I Need for a £500k Mortgage in the UK?
In most cases, you’ll need a salary of around £100,000–£125,000 to secure a £500k mortgage in the UK, depending on your deposit, income structure, and lender affordability rules. Below, we break down realistic salary scenarios, deposit examples and lender calculations...
Is it better to fix for 2 years or 5 years in 2026?
Is it better to fix for 2 years or 5 years in 2026? This week’s mortgage FAQ answers one of the most common questions we’re hearing from buyers and homeowners right now, should you choose a 2-year fixed rate or a 5-year fixed rate? This is one of the most common UK...
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...
UK Mortgage Market Changes: Principality and Metro Bank Updates
In a fast-moving mortgage market, the latest developments from Principality Intermediaries and Metro Bank signal yet more turbulence for borrowers and brokers alike. Principality’s decision to withdraw several residential mortgage products and Metro Bank’s upcoming...
UK Inflation Dip Seen In December 2024
For the first time in three months, UK inflation has shown a modest dip, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS). The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 2.5% in the year to December 2024, a slight reduction from November’s 2.6%....
Barclays Property Insights: A Mixed Bag For The Housing Market
As mortgage brokers, we know that in this day and age, the property and mortgage market is far from simple to understand, and getting your head around trends and what they mean can be a bit of a nightmare. The latest Barclays Property Insights Report sheds light on...
How To Get A Mortgage As A Social Media Influencer
In today’s digital age, social media influencing has become a legitimate and thriving career. Whether that is on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly twitter), or YouTube. There is great money to be earned if you know how to crack the code. If...
Leeds Building Society Mortgage Updates For 2025
Leeds Building Society has today introduced significant changes to its mortgage offerings for 2025, with updates affecting residential, affordable housing, Buy to Let (BTL), and holiday let products. The last few months have seen a lot of fluctuation and unpredictable...
What Is Mortgage Cashback?
With high interest rates and stricter mortgage affordability rules, it is becoming a daily battle for mortgage lenders to encourage new borrowers. What is the incentive to choose a specific lender and product aside from who has the best rate in the bunch? Fortunately,...
Buying A Property From Your Landlord: TSB’s Mortgage Option
Getting onto the property ladder is a challenge that continues to elude many renters and first-time buyers in the UK. With skyrocketing property prices, high rents, and limited opportunities to save for a deposit, the dream of homeownership often feels out of reach....
Using Bonuses For High-Value London Property Investment
London’s elite professionals often find themselves juggling high salaries, substantial bonuses, and an ambition to own prime real estate. With property prices in London reaching unparalleled heights, using your bonuses strategically can unlock opportunities to secure...
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