Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
Barclays, HSBC, NatWest & Virgin Mortgage Rate Changes for May 2024
In a surprising announcement that frankly none of us in the industry really predicted, Barclays Bank has announced significant reductions in the cost of some of their fixed-rate mortgage deals for residential home purchases. From today (8th of May 2024), residential...
UK House Price Growth Takes a Hit Amidst Rising Costs
UK house price growth has hit a stumbling block, with a recent report from Nationwide building society revealing a 0.4% fall in average property costs last month compared to March 2024. This dip marks a significant slowdown, dragging the annual rate of growth down to...
Fascinating UK Uswitch Remortgage Data Trends Revealed
2024 has already proved to be a tricky year for mortgages in the UK. Many borrowers and brokers hoped that we might have left rate rises back in 2023, however this has not been the case. In the last few weeks we have seen many lenders increase their mortgage rates....
Almost Half of First-Time Buyers Get Help From a Government Scheme
In the world of rising living costs, the journey to homeownership is a bit of a financial puzzle for many first-time buyers. A recent survey by Uswitch Mortgages sheds light on the strategies employed by these buyers to step onto the property ladder and the...
Overcoming Mortgage Challenges for an International Client
International Client Mortgage - Background: Our client, a recent immigrant to the UK, sought to navigate the complex landscape of securing a mortgage for his new home. Having moved to the country just six months ago, possessing a 5-10% deposit, and holding a 5-year...
Birmingham Midshires Revamps Buy-to-Let Stress Rate Tests
In a move welcomed by the property investment community, Birmingham Midshires (BM Solutions) has announced significant changes to its buy-to-let stress rate tests at the application stage, effective from today, Tuesday the 16th of January 2024. These modifications are...
Exclusive Coutts Mortgage Products for High Net Worth Clients
In as diverse a market as the London mortgage scene, it is so important for brokers to be able to cater to a wide range of borrowers. At Oportfolio Mortgages, we collaborate with private banks such as Coutts to provide tailored solutions for high net worth...
Co-operative Bank Temporarily Withdraws Majority of Products
In a perhaps unsurprising turn of events, Co-operative Bank has announced the temporary withdrawal of the majority of its fixed-rate mortgage products for new business. This move comes after the bank experienced an overwhelming surge in demand, prompting concerns over...
Breaking News: Santander Unveils Game-Changing Sub 4% Mortgages
Today Santander has announced a ground breaking reduction in interest rates, with selected residential new business and product transfer 60% Loan-to-Value (LTV) 5-year fixed rates dropping below the 4% mark. A sub 4% mortgage offering has not been seen for many months...
Barclays Announces Significant Reductions in Mortgage Interest Rates
In a positive development for potential homebuyers, Barclays has just announced substantial reductions in mortgage interest rates across its Residential Purchase range. The news, delivered in a communication to brokers at Oportfolio Mortgages this morning, reveals...
How Important Is Honesty When Applying For Life Insurance?
When it comes to personal insurance, the foundation of a robust and reliable coverage plan always lies in the accuracy of the information provided during the application stage. Whether you're applying for life insurance or critical illness insurance or any other kind...
Accord and Bank of Ireland Make Changes to Mortgage Products
Accord Mortgages and Bank of Ireland have today announced some significant changes to their mortgage product ranges, impacting both Buy to Let and Residential offerings. The alterations are set to take effect on Tuesday the 9th of January 2024, with each lender...
Halifax House Price Index Reveals December Surge but Warns of Potential 2024 Downturn
In the latest Halifax House Price Index report for December 2023, UK house prices have experienced a third consecutive monthly rise, but experts caution a potential downturn in 2024. December UK House Price Surge According to the Halifax House Price Index, the average...
Income Protection vs Critical Illness Cover
In today's unpredictable economy, being successful and prospering usually boils down to keeping your finances in check. To safeguard against these uncertainties, financial protection becomes essential, especially if you have people and assets to protect. And two...
TSB Makes 2024 Changes To Mortgage Rates
TSB has just announced substantial changes to mortgage rates set to take effect on Friday the 5th of January 2024. The news comes as a welcome development for prospective homeowners and existing borrowers looking to secure a more favourable deal this year, in what...
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