Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
Why Are Mortgage Rates Going Up in the UK If the Base Rate Hasn’t Changed?
Why are mortgage rates going up in the UK even though the base rate hasn’t changed? This guide explains how swap rates, inflation expectations, and lender pricing affect mortgage rates, and what it means if you’re buying or remortgaging in 2026.
UK Mortgage Market Update – 23 March 2026
UK Mortgage Market Update – 23 March 2026 The UK mortgage market saw some important developments this week as the Bank of England held interest rates, lenders adjusted pricing, and housing market activity remained steady. Here’s what happened this week and what it...
What Is A Gifted Deposit & Do You Have To Declare It?
When purchasing a property, securing a sufficient deposit is one of the most significant financial hurdles you’ll encounter. Saving a large enough deposit, especially when you are having to pay rent and bills at the same time. Can be very difficult. For many, this...
Strain Felt By London Homeowners as 1/3 Face Mortgage Struggles
London homeowners are facing a mounting financial challenge as new analysis by City Hall reveals that a significant portion, one third to be exact, feel that they are at risk of struggling to meet their mortgage payments over the next six months. This distressing...
Skipton Slashes Rates on 100% Mortgages
Several months ago, we reported that Skipton Building Society, a prominent name in the mortgage market, were launching 100% mortgages to new borrowers. Essentially allowing borrowers to get a mortgage on a property without putting down the normal minimum 5% deposit....
The Importance of Remortgaging and Product Switching
In a pretty daunting announcement for the UK mortgage market, data from the CACI Mortgage Market Database revealed that a staggering £111 billion worth of residential mortgages and £15.8 billion of Buy-to-Let mortgages are set to mature before the end of the year....
Slow Growth in UK House Prices Reported by the ONS
In a recent report released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the average UK house prices experienced a modest increase of 1.7% in the year leading up to June 2023, signalling a potential shift in the dynamics of the property market. The data reveals a...
Buying a Property From Your Landlord
Living in a property for years and making it your own, can often make it very difficult for tenants to part with it. For some lucky first-time buyers, the opportunity might arise for them to actually purchase their rental property from their landlord. For many...
Interest-Only Mortgage Demand Falls According To FCA
In a notable shift within the mortgage market, demand for interest-only mortgages has plummeted by over half over the last eight years, dropping below the one million mark, according to data released by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA's recent report...
TMW Increases Stress Test Rate for Portfolio Landlords
In another tough blow to UK landlords, The Mortgage Works (TMW) has announced an adjustment to its stress rate for buy-to-let (BTL) portfolio landlords. For buy-to-let mortgage applications, a lender will normally stress test the interest of the loan and the projected...
UK’s Real GDP Shows Growth in Q2 of 2023
In a much anticipated update, it seems that the United Kingdom's economic landscape has show signs of recovery as the real gross domestic product (GDP) experienced a small growth of 0.2% in the second quarter of 2023, spanning from April 2023 to June 2023 according to...
UK Lenders Rate Cuts Amidst Competition and Favourable Inflation Data
In a move that clearly highlights the increasing competition within the UK's mortgage market, four major lenders have announced more mortgage rate cuts, the second time in just three weeks. The decision to reduce rates comes after better than anticipated inflation...
Average UK Mortgage Rates August 2023
As the summer sun continues to shine upon the United Kingdom (Just kidding!), the mortgage market has seen subtle movements in average mortgage rates during the first week of August 2023. According to the latest data released by Uswitch.com, a leading comparison...
Skipton Changes To Joint Borrower, Sole Proprietor Mortgages
In a strong move set to improve mortgage lending and affordability in a tough market, Skipton Building Society has unveiled their Joint Borrower, Sole Proprietor mortgage products. This offering gives aspiring homeowners an exceptional opportunity to achieve their...
London Owners Are Opting To Let Out Properties Rather Than Sell
London's property market has witnessed a substantial change in recent months, with an increasing number of homeowners choosing to let their properties rather than selling them at current market conditions. Nationwide estate and lettings agent Knight Frank, have today...
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