Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
TSB Cuts Fixed Mortgage Rates for Home Buyers: July 2025 Update
In a move that is set to accommodate first-time buyers and home movers, TSB reduced its fixed mortgage rates to enable them to ascend the property ladder. The changes, which were unveiled in July 2025, form part of a broader shake-up in residential, Buy to Let, and...
First-Time Buyer Mortgages Could Benefit from Lending Rule Changes
UK first-time buyer mortgages may become cheaper following a crucial suggestion by the Bank of England to ease current lending limits on increased loan-to-income ratios. In its latest Financial Stability Report, the Bank suggested providing lenders with more...
Nationwide First-Time Buyer Mortgage Rates Cut
UK mortgage lender Nationwide has launched a fresh round of rate cuts on a range of fixed rate mortgage deals, providing a welcome boost for first-time buyers, remortgagers, and existing customers alike. New rates, launching tomorrow, will fall by up to 0.20% on...
Top 7 Mortgage Questions First-Time Buyers Always Ask
Buying your first property is a thrilling experience, but one filled with questions. As mortgage brokers, we handle scores of first-time buyers in London and across the UK, and the overwhelming majority of them have very similar kinds of questions. The below are the...
How Rising Interest Rates Are Affecting London Mortgages
With increasing interest rates, homeowners and buyers in London are experiencing increased mortgage costs and less stringent affordability checks. It is essential to understand how these impacts will have on your planning for finances in the current economic climate....
Buy-to-Let Mortgages in London: What You Need to Know
London buy-to-let property is a smart long-term investment. But buy-to-let property loans are treated differently than regular residential mortgages. First-time landlord or portfolio extension, an understanding of the way they work and how to secure the best deal is...
Stamp Duty Explained for London Homebuyers
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a key cost that London homebuyers must include in their budget. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking to expand your portfolio of properties, understanding how the tax is charged will avoid unexpected fees and enable you to better...
UK Remortgage Activity Rises in May as Owners Seek Stability
The UK remortgage market showed renewed momentum in May 2025, with fresh data revealing a 12% surge in instructions compared to April 2025, according to the latest LMS Monthly Remortgage Snapshot. This sharp increase points to growing consumer interest in remortgaging...
Nationwide New Build Mortgage Update: 95% LTV and Helping Hand for First-Time Buyers
Nationwide Building Society has just announced a significant update that could open the door to homeownership for thousands of prospective buyers. From today, the lender is increasing the Loan-to-Value (LTV) limits on new build properties, providing a much-needed...
Understanding Loan-to-Value (LTV) Ratios and Why They Matter
Loan-to-value (LTV) is one of the most important concepts in mortgages, but many buyers don’t fully understand what it is or why it matters. At Oportfolio, we ensure our clients know how their deposit affects their options. There are lots of loan-to-value ratio...
TSB Mortgage Rates Dropped. Could This Be the Best Deal for Homebuyers?
TSB has announced a series of rate reductions across its residential mortgage range, happening immediately and offering more competitive deals for first-time buyers, home movers, and those using shared ownership or shared equity schemes. In this article we will...
Is It Still Worth Buying a House in the UK in 2025?
Is It Still Worth Investing in a House in the UK in 2025? You are not alone if you find yourself wondering if it is time to invest in a house in the UK. With rising interest rates, volatile house prices, and economic uncertainty, many first-time buyers and upgraders...
Is It Better to Go Directly to a Bank or Use a Mortgage Broker?
When looking for a mortgage, one of the first decisions you’ll face is: should you go directly to a bank, or work with a mortgage broker? Both have their benefits, but depending on your situation, one path may be better. Bank vs mortgage broker. Which ultimately comes...
First-Time Buyer Mortgage Myths Busted
Buying your first home can be stressful enough without being misled by myths that float around online and among friends. At Oportfolio, we regularly help first-time buyers separate fact from fiction, so they can make informed decisions. First-Time Buyer Mortgage Myths...
Remortgaging in London: When, Why, and How
If you do have an existing property in London, remortgaging could potentially save you thousands, or allow you to tap into cash for home improvements or other big plans. But at what time is best, and what do you expect? At Oportfolio, we remortgage London homeowners...
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