Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
HSBC and Virgin Money Increase Mortgage Rates September 2025
Two of Britain's biggest lenders, Virgin Money and HSBC, both last week revealed mortgage rate increases, which will take effect this September. The increases affect a broad range of products in the purchase, remortgage, buy-to-let (BTL), and product transfer ranges...
TSB Cuts Rates on Additional Borrowing Mortgages
TSB has released some refreshed rate changes across its range of mortgages today, including reductions in residential further borrowing mortgages, as part of the lender's strategy to improve affordability and meet customers' evolving needs. Here is what you need to...
HSBC Increases Mortgage Borrowing Power for First-Time Buyers
HSBC has made notable changes to its policy for residential mortgage lending, with the most considerable reforms designed to make it simpler for first-time buyers (FTBs) to climb the ladder. From Monday the 1st of September 2025, the lender has increased FTB...
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...
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...
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