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 – 20th of July 2026
The latest UK Mortgage Market Update covering the week ending 20th July 2026, including mortgage rates, lender changes, house prices and the latest property market news.
New-Build Mortgage Case Study: Buying Off-Plan
Buying a new-build home can present unique mortgage challenges. Discover how we helped a client secure their mortgage before construction was complete and kept their purchase on track.
Remortgaging To Release Equity
For many homeowners, a large amount of wealth is tied up in their property. As property prices have increased over time and mortgage balances have reduced, many borrowers now have substantial equity in their homes. Remortgaging to release equity allows homeowners to...
TSB Increases Maximum Loan-to-Income Ratio for Self-Employed
TSB Bank has announced a significant change to its mortgage lending criteria, increasing the maximum loan-to-income (LTI) multiple for self-employed applicants. From today, self-employed individuals seeking a mortgage may be eligible to borrow up to 5.5 times their...
How to Get a Mortgage in London With a Small Deposit
Buying a home in London is daunting, especially if you have a small deposit. With housing prices significantly higher than other areas of the UK, it can be overwhelming for many potential buyers. Even so, a small deposit doesn't have to be a setback. This is how you...
How We Helped a First-Time Buyer Secure a Mortgage in Putney
Buying your first home is exciting, and sometimes overwhelming. Recently, we worked with a client, Sarah, a first-time buyer in her early 30s, who had just had an offer accepted on a one-bedroom flat in Putney. If you're looking for a first-time buyer mortgage, Putney...
The 5 Biggest Mortgage Mistakes Londoners Make
Buying property in London is a massive financial commitment, and the mortgage process can feel like a maze. Over the years at Oportfolio, we've seen many clients come to us after running into avoidable mistakes. Here's what we believe are the five biggest mortgage...
How Expensive Is a Mortgage? A Full Guide to UK Mortgage Costs
When planning to buy a home or invest in property, one of the biggest questions is: how expensive is a mortgage? The answer isn’t always straightforward. Mortgages come in different types, terms, and interest structures, all of which impact the total cost you’ll pay...
TMW Cuts Mortgage Affordability Stress Rates to Help Landlords
The Mortgage Works (TMW), a leading Buy to Let lender, has today announced a reduction in affordability stress rates for individual landlords, making it easier for them to borrow more on selected mortgage applications. Changes To Buy-To-Let Mortgage Affordability...
UK Mortgage Rates Fall Slightly in June, but Pace Slows
Average mortgage rates in the UK have dipped again in June, though the declines are smaller than last month’s drops, according to the latest data from Moneyfacts. Meanwhile, product choice has decreased slightly, and the shelf-life of mortgage deals has shortened. In...
Halifax Mortgage Income Criteria Update Boosts Affordability
Big news from Halifax! In a somewhat unexpected move from one of the biggest lenders in the UK mortgage market, Halifax has just announced a major upgrade to its mortgage income criteria, making it easier for people with bonus income or NHS overtime to qualify for a...
Santander Fixed Rate Mortgage Increase: Act Now
Remortgagers and homebuyers need to act quickly as Santander has announced a blanket increase in its fixed rate mortgage ranges, effective on Tuesday the 27th of May 2025. These will apply to new business and product transfer mortgage rates across the board for home...
Sole Trader Mortgage Myths Stop Applications In Their Tracks
New research from specialist lender The Mortgage Lender (TML) reveals that a large number of self-employed individuals, particularly sole traders, are being held back from homeownership by widespread sole trader mortgage misconceptions. According to TML’s study, 28%...
Mortgage Rates Are Falling. But Could I Borrow More Too?
With mortgage rates dropping and headlines buzzing, many homeowners and first-time buyers are excited about lower monthly repayments. But there’s more good news that’s flying under the radar, falling interest rates are also increasing how much some buyers can borrow....
NatWest Unveils Changes to Mortgages For First-Time Buyers
First-time buyers searching for ways to get on the property ladder in 2025 have just received a welcome boost from NatWest. The high street bank has announced a series of major changes to its mortgage affordability rules, as well as the launch of a brand-new...
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If you have any questions about UK mortgage news or anything you’ve read then please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.