Mortgage News, Insights & Advice
All the latest UK mortgage news, insights and advice from the world of mortgage lending and Oportfolio

What Documents Do You Need to Apply for a Mortgage?
Applying for a mortgage in the UK may appear stressful, especially if it's your first time. One of the most common reasons for delays in the approval of a mortgage could be lack or insufficient documentation. But with proper preparation, you can walk through the...

Halifax and Santander Mortgage Rate Cuts July 2025: What You Need to Know
In a mortgage customer boost, Santander and Halifax both announced cuts in a range of mortgage interest rates, which would be a relief to remortgagers, landlords and homebuyers throughout the UK. In this article we will run through the latest Halifax and Santander...

How to Improve Your Credit Score Before Applying for a Mortgage
Thinking about applying for a mortgage? Before you do, there's one important number you need to check: your credit score. A strong credit score can be the difference between being approved for a competitive mortgage, or being declined altogether. The good news? Even...
Barclays Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor Mortgage Boost Unveiled
Barclays has today announced the expansion of its Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor (JBSP) Mortgage Boost range, designed specifically to help struggling first-time buyers to secure larger loans in today’s challenging housing market. It is no secret that first-time...
Precise Mortgages Launches New Bridging Loan UK Product
Specialist lender Precise Mortgages has expanded its bridging loan range by introducing a new developer exit product and reducing bridging loan rates by 0.07%. Bridging loans are a great alternative lending method for short term finance, and definitely something that...
Are Buy-to-Let Mortgage Rates Set to Rise in 2025?
Buy-to-let mortgage rates have been a focal point for landlords and property investors over the past year, with notable fluctuations influenced by economic events, swap rate markets, and broader financial pressures. Recent analysis by specialist lender Octane Capital...
Nationwide Housing Affordability Report: First-Time Buyer Challenges
The housing market in 2024 offered glimmers of hope for prospective buyers, with Nationwide Building Society’s latest Housing Affordability Report highlighting slight improvements in affordability. However, unfortunately beneath these modest gains lies a sobering...
Can You Borrow Six Times Income With A Helping Hand Mortgage?
The Helping Hand mortgage now potentially allows first-time buyers to borrow up to six times their income. This can increase borrowing capacity by up to 33% more than Nationwide’s standard lending limits, offering a significant boost to those looking at buying their...
UK Mortgage Market Changes: Principality and Metro Bank Updates
In a fast-moving mortgage market, the latest developments from Principality Intermediaries and Metro Bank signal yet more turbulence for borrowers and brokers alike. Principality’s decision to withdraw several residential mortgage products and Metro Bank’s upcoming...
UK Inflation Dip Seen In December 2024
For the first time in three months, UK inflation has shown a modest dip, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS). The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 2.5% in the year to December 2024, a slight reduction from November’s 2.6%....
Barclays Property Insights: A Mixed Bag For The Housing Market
As mortgage brokers, we know that in this day and age, the property and mortgage market is far from simple to understand, and getting your head around trends and what they mean can be a bit of a nightmare. The latest Barclays Property Insights Report sheds light on...
How To Get A Mortgage As A Social Media Influencer
In today’s digital age, social media influencing has become a legitimate and thriving career. Whether that is on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly twitter), or YouTube. There is great money to be earned if you know how to crack the code. If...
Leeds Building Society Mortgage Updates For 2025
Leeds Building Society has today introduced significant changes to its mortgage offerings for 2025, with updates affecting residential, affordable housing, Buy to Let (BTL), and holiday let products. The last few months have seen a lot of fluctuation and unpredictable...
What Is Mortgage Cashback?
With high interest rates and stricter mortgage affordability rules, it is becoming a daily battle for mortgage lenders to encourage new borrowers. What is the incentive to choose a specific lender and product aside from who has the best rate in the bunch? Fortunately,...
Buying A Property From Your Landlord: TSB’s Mortgage Option
Getting onto the property ladder is a challenge that continues to elude many renters and first-time buyers in the UK. With skyrocketing property prices, high rents, and limited opportunities to save for a deposit, the dream of homeownership often feels out of reach....
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