Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
Co-op Bank Launches 80% LTV Mortgages Below 4%
The Co-operative Bank has announced a new series of mortgage rate cuts, music to UK remortgagers' and homebuyers' ears in search of the best deals. Some residential rates fell as much as 0.10% and buy-to-let rates as much as 0.12%. The cuts bring the bank into...
Buying in Putney? Mortgage Rates, Advice & How to Get a Deal
If you're thinking of buying a home in Putney in 2025, understanding the local mortgage market is essential. As interest rates shift, lenders tweak their offers, and new buyer schemes emerge, having a good sense of what mortgage rates are available in Putney may save...
Barclays Reduces Mortgage Rates Across Various Products
Homebuyers and remortgagers across the UK could benefit from lower mortgage repayments as Barclays makes a series of mortgage rate cuts, from Thursday the 14th of August 2025. Barclays has reduced rates on a range of its most sought-after products across its Purchase,...
Best Places To Stop In Central London Along Jade’s Route
In just over five weeks, our senior mortgage and protection advisor Jade Pinkerton will be running the ASICS Central London 10K in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support. The run takes place across central London and goes through some of the most iconic and touristy areas of...
Changes to HSBC Self-Employed Criteria
HSBC have announced that from today they will be making some big changes to their self-employed criteria. Seemingly jumping on the band wagon and following in similar footsteps as Santander last week. What are the changes to HSBC self-employed criteria? Like many...
Santander Launch 95% Mortgages
Santander have announced today that they are launching new 95% mortgages outside of the governments mortgage guarantee scheme. On Wednesday the 1st of June Santander will be launching 95% loan to value (LTV) mortgages without the need for support from the Government’s...
PRIMIS crowned Best Network by Mortgage Strategy
Mortgage strategies’ annual awards ceremony took place last night at the prestigious JW Marriott Grosvenor House in Mayfair, London. Every year mortgage news outlet Mortgage Strategy hosts a black-tie dinner and awards ceremony to honour the leading individuals and...
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...
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.