Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio
The Best Putney Estate Agents
Looking for the best estate agents in Putney? This guide highlights some of the leading estate agents helping buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants across SW15 and South West London.
How We Helped After a Property Chain Collapsed
When a property chain collapses, many buyers assume their purchase is over. In this case study, discover how Oportfolio helped a home mover restructure their mortgage plans and successfully complete on their new home.
Best Areas for First-Time Buyers in London
Looking to buy your first home in London? Discover some of the best areas for first-time buyers in London, including Wandsworth, Earlsfield, Balham, Wimbledon, Leyton, Barking, Croydon, and more. Explore property prices, transport links, lifestyle benefits, and what to consider before choosing where to buy your first property in the capital.
What Is A Tracker Mortgage?
In the British mortgage world, there are many different ways of getting finance on a property and many different ways of paying this money back to the lender. Sometimes the difference between each type of mortgage can be confusing, that’s where advice and guidance...
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...
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...
What Is an Offset Mortgage and How Does It Work?
Discover how offset mortgages work in the UK and how linking your savings to your mortgage could help reduce interest payments. We explore the pros and cons, mortgage rates, potential tax benefits and who offset mortgages are best suited for, helping you decide whether this flexible mortgage option could be right for you.
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: Contractor 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...
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...
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.