Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio

How Mortgage Is Calculated
When applying for a mortgage, one of the most crucial steps is understanding how lenders calculate how much you can borrow or how mortgage is calculated. Mortgage calculations are based on a range of factors, including income, outgoings, employment type, and deposit...

Buy-To-Let Mortgage Tax Relief for Landlords
Investing in a buy-to-let property can be a lucrative venture, offering long-term rental income and potential capital appreciation for those looking to invest their money somewhere. However, landlords must also consider the financial responsibilities, including tax...

First-Time Buyer Age in the UK Rises To 33 New Research Reveals
The number of first-time buyers in the UK saw a significant increase in 2024, with 341,068 people stepping onto the property ladder. This marks a 19% rise compared to 2023, according to the latest research from Halifax. First-time buyers made up 54% of all home...
2-Year Fixed Mortgages Are £420 a Year Worse Off
A recent study in to the impact of mortgage rate rises since the end of 2022 suggests that the borrowers of average 2-Year Fixed Mortgages are £35 a month or £420 a year worse off, with many paying even more than that on their mortgage deals. How long can this payment...
Mortgage Approval Fails. What Can I Do?
Recent data released by the Bank of England has revealed that mortgage approval has dropped and continues to drop as well as the number of new mortgage borrowing. The main reason for this? The economic crisis. A significant downturn in the UK economy, combined with...
Nationwide Offer New Green 0% Mortgage Product
Nationwide building society announced on the 15th of May 2023 that they would soon be introducing a new green 0% mortgage product for additional borrowing on properties. What does this mean exactly? Well it doesn't mean that you won't have to pay anything at all on...
Changes To Mortgage Products End Of May 2023
Product refreshers, product withdrawals, product increases, whatever you want to call it. Something is stirring in the mortgage market this week, and many lenders are making changes to mortgage products that will mean that rates are going up. In the first couple of...
All Buy To Let Rates Increasing (Bank of Ireland)
Mortgage lender Bank of Ireland, normally known for their exclusive low bespoke rate products have announced that we will soon see buy to let rates increasing across their product offerings. A shock certainly to see this from Bank of Ireland but an understandable...
Several Banks Enhancing Interest Only Criteria
Several UK mortgage lenders have started enhancing their interest only criteria with some great new positive changes, making life much easier for borrowers and brokers alike. When getting a new mortgage, it has traditionally been a default setting (so to speak) to...
UK Inflation Drops To 8.7%
The Office of National Statistics have sensationally announced that UK inflation has dropped to 8.7%, the first time it has been below double figures in almost a year. So what does this mean for definite? What could it mean for the future? And what does this mean for...
Average Mortgage Rates UK May 2023
Here is a brief breakdown of the average mortgage rates UK banks are currently offering in the final week of May 2023. The last few weeks have seen a bit of turbulence when it comes to mortgage interest rates. The raising of the Bank of England's base rate on the 11th...
Mortgage Rate Reductions For Energy Efficient Homes
A newly announced government initiative could see lenders providing mortgage rate reductions for energy efficient homes or homeowners who are willing to make improvements to their existing properties, making them more energy efficient. With the average mortgage rate...
Hidden Mortgage Fees
It isn’t just about rates. When looking at mortgages it is important to consider all mortgage fees, other associated fees, incentives and the small print. This is what we do for our clients, and this is what sets our advice and guidance apart from the rest. In this...
Oportfolio Mortgages Partners With eConveyancer
We at Oportfolio Mortgages have some very exciting news. We are now officially working with eConveyancer, a property conveyancing organisation that will help us to provide an even smoother and better mortgage journey for our remortgage clients. What Is A Conveyancer?...
Mortgage Arrears – What Can I Do To Avoid It?
Recently released data shows that unfortunately mortgage arrears in the UK are on the rise, due mainly to the ongoing costs of living crisis. An increase in both mortgage interest rates and the general costs of food and utilities over the last few months has meant...
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