Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
TSB Increases Maximum Loan-to-Income Ratio for Self-Employed
TSB Bank has announced a significant change to its mortgage lending criteria, increasing the maximum loan-to-income (LTI) multiple for self-employed applicants. From today, self-employed individuals seeking a mortgage may be eligible to borrow up to 5.5 times their...
Best London Neighbourhoods for First-Time Buyers in 2025
Buying your first home in London can be an exhilarating but daunting process. With house prices varying so wildly across the capital, it's important to find a location that balances affordability, transport links, facilities, and growth potential just right. Day in,...
![How Much Deposit Do I Need for a Mortgage in the UK? [2025 Guide for First-Time Buyers]](https://oportfolio-wp-offload-media.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/16093000/how-much-deposit-do-I-need-for-a-mortgage-UK-guide-1080x675.jpg)
How Much Deposit Do I Need for a Mortgage in the UK? [2025 Guide for First-Time Buyers]
Quick Answer Most UK mortgage lenders require at least a 5% deposit, but putting down 10% to 20% can unlock better rates. For a £250,000 home, that’s a minimum of £12,500. The more you put down, the more affordable your mortgage is long-term. What Is a Mortgage...
Act Now To Stop Mortgage Rate Rises
Money information website Moneyfacts have revealed new data that shows 2 and 5-year mortgage product rates have increased in the sharpest month-on-month spike since 2007. Meaning that mortgages are getting more expensive and people who don't act now, may end up paying...
Coventry Building Society Reduces Buy-To-Let Mortgage Rates
In the midst of rising mortgage interest rates, Coventry Building Society have announced that they are REDUCING their Buy-To-Let mortgage rates through their intermediary platform. The mortgage broker only arm of Coventry building society are reducing buy-to-let...
Protecting Yourself From The Financial Impact Of Cancer
In July 2022, Oportfolio’s senior mortgage and protection advisor Jade Pinkerton will be running a gruelling 10K for a great cause. The run will push her to her limits and considering she hasn’t run regularly in 10 years; she’ll be the first to admit that she is a bit nervous!
Second Home Mortgage Borrowing – Case Study
Key facts: Client looking to purchase a second home to use with family during summer holidays Property was 3 hours’ drive away Due to the rising cost of living, mortgage underwriters applied inflated and extra costs to the mortgage affordability. Because of these...
Are 50-Year Cross-Generation Mortgages On The Cards?
Struggling to get enough mortgage borrowing because of your age? 35-year mortgage term still too expensive per month for your budget? Would you consider taking 50-year cross-generation mortgages if it meant that you could get the perfect house? All it would mean is...
Net Mortgage Borrowing Up 76% According To BOE
In recently release figures, the Bank of England has announced that net mortgage borrowing increased by 76% in May 2022. What does this actually mean? Is it a positive sign or a false flag? According to the BOE, Net mortgage borrowing on houses purchased to live in...
What Is The PRIMIS Mortgage Network?
Who Are Oportfolio Mortgage Brokers? We are Oportfolio, a specialist broker providing professional advice and guidance on all types of mortgage and personal protection insurance products. We offer you tailored advice to support you wherever you are in your life...
Halifax Offers 5% Deposit Mortgages On New Builds
Halifax have sensationally announced today that they are lowering their minimum required deposit on new build properties from 10% to 5% throwing thousands of first-time buyers a lifeline. Changing their criteria to offer 5% deposit mortgages in the face of rising...
Accord Launch New Discounted SVR Mortgage Products
Intermediary accessible only lender Accord Mortgages have today announced that they are offering new discounted SVR mortgage products (Standard Variable Rate) across buy-to-let and residential mortgages. The lender, which is owned by Yorkshire Building Society, only...
The Best Putney Estate Agents
Southwest London really is perfect. We aren’t just saying this because our office is based in Putney and we’ve been based in southwest London for over 10 years, oh no. Living in Putney or the surrounding area is like getting the best of both worlds. You get to live in...
EWS1 Form Remortgage – Case Study
Key facts: Client came to us to do a residential remortgage on their flat. As part of the remortgage document requirements, the new mortgage lender asked for an EWS1 form to be provided to prove fire safety. The management company for the building hadn't arrange an...
Mortgage Rate Rises From TMW and Nationwide
Recently Nationwide building society and their buy-to-let arm The Mortgage Works (TMW) have been putting their rates up so much that they are no longer competitive in the mortgage market meaning that these rate rises are pushing these lenders down the list when...
We're Here to Help
If you have any questions about UK mortgage news or anything you’ve read then please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.