Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
What Salary Do I Need for a £400k Mortgage in the UK?
In most cases, you’ll need a salary of around £80,000–£100,000 to get a £400k mortgage in the UK, depending on your deposit, income type, and lender affordability rules. Below, we break down realistic salary scenarios, deposit examples and lender calculations so you...
Mortgage FAQ: Should I wait for mortgage rates to fall?
Mortgage FAQ: Should I wait for mortgage rates to fall? This week’s mortgage FAQ answers one of the most common questions we’re hearing from buyers and homeowners right now. Many people are wondering whether they should wait for rates to fall, or act sooner. Here’s...
UK Mortgage Market Update – 23 February 2026 | Oportfolio Mortgages
UK Mortgage Market Update – 23 February 2026 The UK mortgage market continues to shift as inflation eases, interest rate expectations change, and house prices show signs of renewed momentum. Here’s what happened this week, and what it means if you’re buying,...
Barclays Boosts Mortgage Affordability With New Income Rules
Barclays has made a significant change to its mortgage affordability criteria, expanding the amount of bonus, overtime, and commission income that can be used in lending assessments. Under the new approach, Barclays will now include variable income up to four times a...
TSB ERC-Free Tracker Mortgages for Buyers and Landlords
TSB has announced that its popular Early Repayment Charge (ERC)-free tracker mortgages are still available across both its residential and buy-to-let ranges, a rare and flexible option for UK borrowers in an uncertain interest-rate market. These tracker mortgage...
High Value Mortgages for the 5th Wealthiest City in the World
London may be the UK's capital, but it's officially the 5th wealthiest city in the world. It has over 350,000 millionaires living within it, hundreds of international headquarters, and some of the world's most desirable property, so it's no mystery that high value...
How To Build A Property Portfolio
If you’ve ever wondered how to build a property portfolio in the UK, then this is the right blog for you. More and more people are looking at property investment as a way to generate long-term wealth, diversify income streams, and build financial security for the...
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...
How We Helped a Family Save £300 a Month on Their Mortgage
Looking for ways to cut your monthly mortgage bill? This real-life case study shows how our team at Oportfolio Mortgages in Putney helped one local family reduce their repayments by £300 every month, without moving home or changing their lifestyle. Just with the help...
Barclays Now Offers 90% LTV on Second Residential Properties
Barclays has announced a big update to its lending criteria, increasing the maximum Loan-to-Value (LTV) to 90% for applicants who already own another residential property with an existing mortgage. Previously capped at 80% LTV, the new policy applies to both...
Suffolk Building Society Launches JBSP Mortgages Up to 90% LTV
Suffolk Building Society has implemented a series of important reforms to its lending criteria, welcoming more and more UK borrowers to its products. This comes after enhancements to Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor (JBSP) mortgages, improved lending conditions for new...
HSBC and Virgin Money Increase Mortgage Rates September 2025
Two of Britain's biggest lenders, Virgin Money and HSBC, both last week revealed mortgage rate increases, which will take effect this September. The increases affect a broad range of products in the purchase, remortgage, buy-to-let (BTL), and product transfer ranges...
TSB Cuts Rates on Additional Borrowing Mortgages
TSB has released some refreshed rate changes across its range of mortgages today, including reductions in residential further borrowing mortgages, as part of the lender's strategy to improve affordability and meet customers' evolving needs. Here is what you need to...
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