Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
HSBC Mortgage Rates Smash Competition At 3.81%
HSBC mortgage rates have truly smashed their competition to smithereens by introducing a product with an interest rate as low as 3.81%. Although not currently the absolute lowest rate on the market, HSBC has beaten many other high street banks so far in the rate war...
Nationwide And Barclays Cut UK Mortgage Rates To 3.78%
In what is quickly becoming something like a UK mortgage rates price battle, lenders are firing rate reductions left, right, and centre. Paving the way for some very favourable mortgage opportunities for the remaining four months of 2024, leading into 2025. I have to...
Transport Links In London And Buying Property
Living in the capital is great. Whether you are a young professional forging your career in the big city, or a seasoned 'Londoner' who just loves everything about the metropolitan lifestyle. There is something for everyone. And getting a slice of real estate for...
What Is An Offset Mortgage?
You might have heard that term offset mortgage thrown about before on TV adverts, news articles, and in your local bank. But how much do you really know about offset mortgages? What are they and why would anyone choose to offset their mortgage? In this article we will...
Santander Self-Employed Mortgages Change to 90% LTV
As of tomorrow (Thursday the 26th of May) Santander have confirmed that they have now increased their maximum LTV (Loan to Value) for self-employed people from 75% i.e. 25% deposit, to 90% i.e. 10% deposit. This is fantastic news as Santander has held firm at only...
Right to Buy Contractor – Case Study
Key facts: Client lived in a house and rented it from the local council As part of the right to buy scheme, he wanted to purchase the property from the council at a discounted price. He approached his bank because he thought this would be the easiest option for him....
Oportfolio’s Charity Initiative
At Oportfolio, we are all big supporters of charity, and we try to help in any way we can with good causes in the local area and the country as a whole. This year we are starting an initiative to support a different charity every quarter to try and raise as much funds...
Nationwide and TSB Increase Their Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates can rise, that’s something everyone should be aware of. At some point rates must fluctuate as various economic factors change. Every so often they also decrease! But over the last few months we have began to see a bit of economic uncertainty and...
Kent Reliance Supports Complex Income Mortgages
Mortgage lender Kent Reliance, part of the Once Savings Bank Group, has announced that they will now offer more residential mortgage products to help home buyers and remortgagers with complex income sources. Founded in 1898 as the Chatham & District Reliance...
Interest-Only vs Repayment Mortgage
What is the purpose of a mortgage? Is there a clear definition? Most people would define a mortgage as a loan provided by a bank, building society, or private finance company to purchase a property when immediate funds are not available. As a loan, this money will...
Non-Owner/Occupier Rental Property – Case Study
Key facts: Client owned his own property that he lived in He wanted to rent it out and move in with his partner in her property His current mortgage lender would not let him switch his mortgage to a buy-to-let mortgage Most lenders would not allow him to remortgage...
London Rent is On the Rise
We all know that rent in London can cost you a small (or large) fortune depending on the area you live in, and Southerners in general are relentlessly berated by anyone north of Luton for the laughable cost of living they put up with. And it seems that Londoners...
The Best Place to Buy in London
The country’s capital has always been a desired place to live. With limitless career potential, unbeatable leisure activities, and unique experiences like no where else, London is the place to be. But living in such a desirable places often comes at a cost and...
What Is A Standard Variable Rate (SVR) Mortgage?
The standard variable rate is a nightmare. There’s no reason to pretend that it isn’t, and you should want to avoid it at all costs. For a lot of mortgage customers, well at least those who are receiving continued quality mortgage advice, the standard variable rate or...
Breaking News: Bank of England Raises Base Rate to 1%
Latest news coming out of the Bank of England says that they are raising the BoE base rate to 1% from the previous 0.75% which was only introduced in March 2022. Despite issuing warnings of a possible incoming recession and despite pressure from government officials,...
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