Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
Capital Gains Tax Changes: What It Means For Landlords And Investors
In recent months, landlords have been anxiously following developments around potential changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT), fearing further strain on an already challenging buy-to-let market. This apprehension comes at a time when the market is facing serious...
What to Expect From 2025 Mortgage Interest Rates
Recently, Jade Pinkerton, senior mortgage and protection advisor at Oportfolio Mortgages attended the Coutts and Savills Market Update webinar. As expected, interest 2024 and 2025 mortgage interest rates and differing predictions were discussed in great detail....
NatWest Mortgages Increase Rates
NatWest mortgages are set to take a bashing this week as the lender announces that their mortgage product rates are due to increase by as much as 0.30%. This is a sharp jolt to mortgage borrowers and frankly to mortgage intermediaries who have all been rejoicing over...
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...
Halifax Offers Extra Support For High Net Worth Mortgages
Halifax for intermediaries, the lending channel accessible only by mortgage brokers, have announced a new initiative to support mortgage applications for high net worth mortgages. Referred to as 'premier customers', mortgages for higher loans need extra care and...
Accord Offers Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor Mortgages
Today mortgage lender Accord Mortgages announced that they will now offer Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor mortgages. This new revelation from Accord is great news for people looking to purchase their first property, who might fall short of the regular high mortgage...
Precise Mortgages Makes Big Changes To Products
Specialist mortgage lender Precise Mortgages, part of the Charter Court Financial Services Group, has announced that they are pulling their current buy-to-let and residential product ranges and will replace them with new updated products. It seems that the lender...
Property Down Valuation and What You Can Do
It’s worth as much as someone is willing to pay… or is it? This week we have had three separate property purchase cases where properties have been significantly down valued by the lender's valuers at mortgage application stage. What does a property down valuation...
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