Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
NatWest Reduces Residential Mortgage Rates Across Multiple Products
NatWest has this morning announced significant rate reductions across its portfolio of mortgage products. The changes, effective immediately, span both residential and buy-to-let (BTL) markets, providing borrowers with more competitive options amid ongoing economic...
In Conversation With Heena Sandhu From Guardian
Welcome to our exclusive interview with Heena Sandhu, business development manager at Guardian, a prominent protection provider that do things differently to other providers. Guardian came to market in 2018 with a single ambition – every family to have protection that...
The Mortgage Works Data On The UK Buy-To-Let Property Market
Landlord confidence in the UK rental market has seemingly taken a hit, with fewer landlords feeling positive about rental yields compared to a year ago. That is at least according to the latest research from The Mortgage Works (TMW), the UK buy-to-let property market...
Why Buying Is Still About Location, Location, Location
You may go into house hunting with an eye on what you can get per square meter or moving to where the biggest garden will be, but the old estate agent’s favourite phrase still rings so true when buying houses – it’s all about location, location, location! Even if...
How do I know if I can afford to move?
This article is aimed at you if you are considering if you can afford moving to a new house. Not just first-time buyers, not just those soon to retire… everyone. If nothing else, the pandemic has shown us that we can't predict the future. So, getting professional...
Bank of Mum & Dad Continues Supporting First-Time Buyers
For many first-time buyers in the UK, the bank of mum and dad continues to play a crucial role in helping them take their first steps onto the property ladder. While the housing market has evolved drastically over the last few years, the challenges of saving for a...
Am I eligible for the 95% mortgage scheme?
After a challenging year for first time buyers, and those with little deposit to put down, the launch this week of the government-backed 95% mortgage is welcomed by many. The scheme, announced in last month's budget statement, involves the government ‘guaranteeing’...
How much deposit do I need to purchase a property?
When looking to purchase a property one of the main questions people have is ‘how much deposit do I need?’. This does of course vary depending on what you are trying to achieve but it certainly has been a ‘hot topic’ since the new budget was announced this year with the mention of only a 5% deposit requirement for residential purchases. But all is not as simple as it seems.
Should I remortgage to make renovations?
Home renovations have recently become more than just a popular DIY activity, but more of an obsession, as we all try to improve the space in which we live. Being at home so much has lots of us revaluating our dwellings and wanting to make the best of not going abroad...
Santander offering five-times salary income multiple
Santander for Intermediaries is offering some of the most generous income multiples and the cheapest mortgage rates across the market.
The housing market one year on from the first lockdown
Exactly one year on from the start of the first lockdown of 2020, how has the housing market changed – and what does the future look like? Oportfolio’s founder, Oliver Whitehead, looks back on a year like no other. It seems incredible to think that it’s been a full...
Why women need to protect their finances
If the pandemic and its three lockdowns have taught us anything at all, it’s that no one ever quite knows what lies around the corner. All being well, the UK will start a cautious reversal of the current social distancing measures in the next few weeks. The Government...
Should I use a professional mortgage broker?
Technology may have its frustrations, but there’s no doubt it has made life much easier when it comes to the business of sorting out personal financial matters like car insurance, choosing a mobile phone provider and buying cheap flights. Price comparison websites...
Deposit Guarantee Scheme Great For First-Time Buyers
Following on from speculation at the back end of last week that the Chancellor will use his Budget speech on Wednesday to announce an extension to the stamp duty holiday, this weekend’s news also suggests Wednesday’s Budget statement may have more glad tidings for...
Are you ready for a Stamp Duty holiday extension?
There has been speculation in the national media in recent days that the Chancellor will use his Budget statement on March 3 to announce a 3-month extension to the Stamp Duty holiday. The initiative was introduced in July of last year to counteract the three-month...
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