Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
What is a Property Conveyancer and How Much Do They Cost?
Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you'll make in your lifetime. Whether you're purchasing your first property, investing in a buy-to-let, or remortgaging, understanding the role of a property conveyancer is crucial. But what exactly does...
UK House Prices Hold Steady in February: Halifax House Price Index
The latest Halifax House Price Index report for February 2025 shows that UK house prices remained largely stable over the month, dipping by just -0.1%, following a +0.6% increase in January. The average property price now stands at £298,602, a marginal decrease of...
First-Time Buyer Mortgages UK: Leeds & Virgin Cut Rates
The UK mortgage market has received a welcome boost this week as Leeds Building Society and Virgin Money both announce significant rate reductions, aiming to support first-time buyers and homeowners looking for better deals. But with rising property prices, high...
How Do I Get The Best Mortgages?
A little like finding the perfect house, matching mortgage requirements to the right lender is a very individual and delicate process that requires knowledge and expertise to ensure it’s a complete fit for your long-term requirements. It’s not always easy to know what...
Going the extra mile to secure your home and your world
https://player.vimeo.com/video/547108910?app_id=122963 In setting up Oportfolio our goal was always to create a company that would go above and beyond, producing the highest standards of support and service for our clients looking to buy a home. We’re extraordinarily...
Moving back home to Putney
After spending the past few years north of the river, we have recently moved to bespoke new offices in Putney. Since 2009, Oportfolio have serviced clients in the local area and further afield but Putney has always played a key role in our story because it was where...
What is the best mortgage on the market?
What is the best mortgage on the market? You’re not alone in wanting to know the answer to this question – it’s one of the most-searched property-related questions on Google. Most mortgage searches start with comparison websites but while they can give you a useful...
The interior design story of our new offices
We have recently moved to new offices at St Georges Court in Putney. With the current trend for creating home offices, we thought it would be a good idea to share the story behind the design of our new home in the hope it may provide some inspiration to our clients...
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.
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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.
