Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
New HSBC Top Slicing Mortgage Criteria Announced
HSBC has announced a major policy change that’s set to help landlords across the country the introduction of top slicing for buy-to-let (BTL) mortgage applications. This new approach gives investors the ability to use personal income alongside rental income when...
How to Buy a Property at Auction with a Mortgage in the UK
Property auctions provide a fast-paced and exciting way of acquiring your next property or home, but the majority of potential buyers believe you have to be a cash buyer to take part. To the dismay of many, you can bid on an auctioned residential property using a...
Barnes Mortgage Advice: Buying or Remortgaging in SW13
Tucked beside a sweeping bend of the River Thames, Barnes has long been one of south-west London’s best-kept secrets. Cobblestoned streets lead you past Georgian terraces, pretty courtyards and village greens, and yet central London is only a short train ride away. It...
Skipton Update Residential Fixed Rate Product Ranges
Skipton for intermediaries have sent emails to all subscribing mortgage brokers this morning to announce that they will be making some changes to and re-introducing some of their residential fixed rate product offerings. The new changes will come in to effect this...
Could I Have A £1,000 Mortgage Payment Increase?
Over the last 6 months or so, most mortgage borrowers will have seen a significant mortgage payment increase. This is because the current economic climate has made mortgage lenders increase their mortgage rates from record lows. For those lucky enough to have secured...
Is Prime London Property Still Popular?
Over the last few months, the property market in the UK has been a little hostile to say the least. Interest in property has dipped and risen more frequently than a roller coaster as interest rates have peaked and dropped and peaked and dropped again. The cost of...
“Things Looking More Positive” Says Mike From Equity Release Experts
At Oportfolio mortgages we handle all of our clients financial advice needs, from mortgage and protection advice to wills. But sometimes specialist lending and borrowing options need to be handled by outside experts in the field. That is why when we speak to borrowers...
UK Inflation Rate At 10.1%
It has been announced today that unfortunately, despite predictions and the Bank of England's best efforts, the UK inflation rate still remains at above 10% (specifically 10.1%). A far cry away from the target inflation rate of 2% that the bank holds and falling...
Is a 2 Year or 5 Year Fixed Mortgage Better?
Historically, choosing a 5 year or 2 year fixed mortgage was quite a straightforward decision to make for mortgage borrowers. Essentially, do you want to keep the mortgage with a competitive rate for a couple of years and then potentially move on to something...
New TSB Five Year Fixed Rate Mortgage at 3.89%
This morning TSB have announced a slew of changes to the products they offer to borrowers, including a new five year fixed rate mortgage at below 4%! Something that most lenders haven't offered since before the announcement of the disastrous mini-budget in September...
How To Avoid Defaulting On Mortgages
2023 has turned out to be very tough year for the average UK resident. With spiralling interest rates and the general cost of living going to unprecedented levels, people are struggling to keep up with their bills and many are defaulting on mortgages, credit cards,...
Nationwide Cuts 90% and 95% Mortgage Products
Following on from our blog post yesterday about Coventry Building Society lowering 90% and 95% mortgage products for first time buyers, Nationwide building society have also announced that they will be reducing rates on their own 90% and 95% mortgage products. These...
Up To 95% Mortgages For First Time Buyers
Historically it has always been tough to buy your first property as an average first time buyer. Earning enough as a young professional to borrow a large enough mortgage, saving a large enough deposit whilst also paying rent every month, and generally getting your...
How To Avoid Early Repayment Charges On Mortgages
What Is An Early Repayment Charge? Most people reading this blog will have heard of an early repayment charge or an ERC. Chances are that you have been confronted with the prospect of having to pay an ERC or have seen it written in the small print on your mortgage...
Scottish Widows Increase Mortgage Income Cap
Mortgage lender Scottish Widows have just announced that they will be introducing some changes to their mortgage income cap for affordability calculations on straight mortgages and remortgages. What does this mean exactly? It means that Scottish Widows will be...
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