Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
What is a Second Charge Mortgage?
A second charge mortgage is a type of secured loan that allows homeowners to borrow money against the equity in their property, while keeping their existing mortgage in place. Rather than replacing your current mortgage (as with a remortgage), a second charge mortgage...
Bank of Ireland Expands Bespoke Mortgage Range with 6x Income Lending
Bank of Ireland has announced a brilliant shakeup to its Bespoke mortgage range, increasing maximum income multiples and loan sizes to help more buyers access higher-value properties and lending options that weren’t previously available. The changes should help...
Skipton First Time Buyer Mortgages
Skipton Building Society has built a strong reputation for backing first-time buyers, particularly those who might otherwise struggle to get onto the property ladder. Whether it’s helping renters buy a home without needing a traditional deposit, or allowing buyers to...
Property Sales Surge And NatWest Reduces Mortgage Rates
From the 2nd of July 2024, NatWest is implementing a series of rate reductions across its mortgage product range, providing potential savings for both new and existing customers. This strategic move comes as the UK property market experiences a notable upswing, with...
NatWest Set To Reduce New Build Deposit Contribution
NatWest has announced a significant change to its mortgage lending criteria, which is poised to make a substantial impact on the new build property market. The high street bank has increased its loan-to-value (LTV) ratios for new build homes, a move that will enable...
What Is Stamp Duty For First-Time Buyers?
Purchasing a property is going to be expensive. Unfortunately there is no sugar coating it! Most homebuyers understand that there will be associated costs with purchasing a property. But many don’t know what these costs are, or what they mean. One significant cost...
Barclays Mortgage Rates Cut
Finally, some news that we have all almost literally been holding our breaths for! Barclays Bank has announced reductions in its mortgage rates, becoming the first of the 'Big 6' mortgage lenders to do so after the Bank of England hit its inflation target of 2%. The...
Barclays Interest Only Mortgage Requirements Updated
Barclays has announced significant changes to its interest only mortgage requirements, introducing a new tiered equity system based on the location of the security property. This update, effective immediately, is designed to provide a more location-specific approach...
Adverse Credit Mortgage Criteria Eased by Hinckley & Rugby
In a significant move to make homeownership more accessible to different types of borrowers, Hinckley & Rugby for Intermediaries has announced relaxed criteria on its Credit Flex adverse credit mortgage product, designed for borrowers with adverse credit...
Metro Bank Buy-to-Let Mortgage and Interest-Only Changes
Metro Bank has recently announced significant enhancements to its interest-only and buy-to-let (BTL) mortgage criteria, marking a strategic move to strengthen its position as a leading specialist lender on the high street. These changes are designed to offer greater...
Halifax Minimum Mortgage Amount Increases
Halifax has announced an increase in the minimum mortgage amount for their 2 year and 5 year fixed-rate products, available through selected mortgage intermediaries. Historically, Halifax's minimum mortgage amount was £25,000, which is considered one of the lowest...
Why You Should Never Pay Off Your Mortgage
When it comes to personal finance, one of the most debated questions is: should I pay off my mortgage early? While owning your home outright can provide peace of mind, there are several reasons why you might want to reconsider paying off your mortgage early if you are...
How Can You Reduce Mortgage Payments?
The last few months have been tough, there's no question about that. The rising cost of living in the UK has meant that the average person is now paying more for utilities like gas, water, and electricity. Food and drink prices have soared, and petrol and diesel now...
What Is A Product Transfer Mortgage?
Most mortgage borrowers are pretty clued up on the initial terms of their loan. Well, at least they should be if their mortgage broker has explained things to them! Normally you would fix your mortgage for a period of 2 to 5 years and enjoy the rate and product you...
Remortgaging For Debt Consolidation
Everyone talks about purchasing a property and the associated mortgage you secure. Then people talk about remortgaging or doing a product transfer to keep a good interest rate and mortgage product on your property. But very few people talk about what else remortgaging...
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