Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
Best Areas for First-Time Buyers in London
Looking to buy your first home in London? Discover some of the best areas for first-time buyers in London, including Wandsworth, Earlsfield, Balham, Wimbledon, Leyton, Barking, Croydon, and more. Explore property prices, transport links, lifestyle benefits, and what to consider before choosing where to buy your first property in the capital.
Equity Release For Pensioners
If recent events have taught us anything it is that jobs, income, and cashflow aren’t always as straight forward and secure as we might think. Sometimes, no amount of planning can prepare you for unexpected events and now more than ever, it is difficult to know how to make sure that you are financially secure when the economy is so uncertain.
Can I Get A Mortgage If I Have Recently Changed Jobs?
Can you get a mortgage if you’ve recently changed jobs or are still in probation? Learn how lenders assess new employment and what it could mean for your mortgage options.
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 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...
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...
Coventry Building Society Announces Fixed Rate Reductions
Coventry for Intermediaries, the mortgage intermediary specific arm of Coventry Building Society, has today revealed its plans to reduce all residential fixed rates and expand its product range to provide better support to clients and their mortgage brokers. The move...
Bank of England Raises Base Rate by 0.25% to 5.25%
Today the Bank of England announced another increase in its base rate. This time by 0.25%, meaning that the base interest rate now stands at 5.25% as of the 3rd of August 2023. The decision came as the UK economy begins to demonstrate some growth and inflation drops...
TSB Introduces New 3-Year Fixed Product Transfer Rates
In a bid to offer more financial flexibility and security to homeowners, TSB has announced the launch of their new 3-Year Fixed Product Transfer rates. Available from Thursday the 3rd of August 2023, these mortgage products are set to cater to various Loan to Value...
NatWest Announces Exciting Changes to Mortgage Products
NatWest, one of the leading mortgage lenders in the UK, has announced today significant changes to their new and existing mortgage product ranges. The changes to mortgage products, which will come into effect from August 2nd 2023, offer a mix of rate decreases and new...
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