Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
New-Build Shared Ownership From Teachers Building Society
A new-build shared ownership property can be a great option to when looking to take the first steps on the home ownership ladder. House prices are going up, and in many cases it can be quite difficult for first time buyers to firstly save enough money for a deposit,...
Christina Smith From TSB Mortgages Shares Her Thoughts
This week, our mortgage advisors at Oportfolio Mortgages had the privilege of welcoming Christina Smith, business development manager for TSB mortgages into our London based mortgage brokerage. As part of our ongoing commitment to building close relationships with...
UK House Prices On Upward Trend
As 2024 starts to draw to a close and we enter the final three months of the year, there has been some promising and positive signs for UK property owners regarding UK house prices. Over the last…well…couple of years, really, UK house prices are increased generally....
NatWest and Coutts Increase Mortgage Rates Despite Drop in Inflation to 7.9%
This afternoon, mortgage lenders NatWest and Coutts, have announced rate increases on their mortgage products, despite the recent drop in inflation to 7.9%. The decision has left many customers puzzled, as the current economic climate suggests that there could soon be...
UK Inflation Rate Falls to 7.9% in July 2023
In a surprising turn of events, the UK inflation rate has dropped to 7.9% in July 2023, marking a significant decrease from recent highs. It now stands at the lowest it has been in 16 months! The news comes as a relief to homeowners and potential buyers who have been...
Metro Bank Updates Expand Product Offerings
London based mortgage lender Metro Bank has recently unveiled the upgraded version of its mortgage origination platform. The platform aims to revolutionise the mortgage application process for intermediaries while laying the groundwork for the launch of new products...
What Is A Part And Part Mortgage?
When it comes to mortgages, there are various types available to suit different financial situations and goals. Sometimes a standard repayment and interest loan is neither beneficial or appropriate for a borrower, and alternative repayment methods might be more...
Average UK Mortgage Rates July 2023
Over the last few months, the UK has seen a sharp increase in average mortgage rates due to increasing economic pressures. This coupled with the general cost of living crisis has meant that many people who were once enjoying low mortgage costs and relatively...
Is the UK Headed Towards Seven Percent Mortgage Rates?
The UK mortgage market has witnessed its fair share of fluctuations in recent months, with interest rates playing a pivotal role. As homeowners and prospective buyers seek stability and affordability, the question on everyone's minds is whether we are headed for seven...
TSB Announces Positive Changes to Lending Criteria
In an exciting development for prospective homebuyers and existing mortgage holders, TSB has announced significant improvements to its lending criteria. Effective from the 13th of July 2023, the changes aim to enhance affordability and accessibility for borrowers....
Prime London Property Resilient Amidst a Price-Sensitive Market
London is a great city...in fact, ask a resident and they will most likely tell you that it is the greatest city in the world! Yes, we might not have the best weather all the time, we might not have the white sand beaches and crystal blue oceans, but there is...
What Is Income Flex Mortgage Criteria?
One of the biggest issues that new borrowers and existing mortgage owners struggle with nowadays is mortgage affordability. Yes, you may be able to afford a £1,000 a month rental payment or your existing mortgage of £2,000 a month, but unfortunately this means nothing...
UK House Price Growth Down For 10th Month In a Row
New data released by E.surv in their June 2023 House Price Index confirms that UK house price growth has slowed again for the 10th month in a row. What does this mean exactly? And what can we expect from UK house prices moving forward. Is owning a property right now...
UK Two-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Higher Than 2008
In a somewhat concerning development for prospective home buyers and existing borrowers, two-year fixed mortgage rates in the UK have climbed to their highest level since the 2008 financial crisis. Also surpassing the peak at the release of the mini-budget. Recent...
Should I Make Mortgage Overpayments?
Taking a slightly different angle to the mortgage news that most people are reporting about people struggling to pay their mortgages and record high interest rates, we are going to talk in this blog about people who can afford to make mortgage overpayments on their...
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