Business owners have to be prepared to deal with all kinds of challenges. One of them is the ability to get approved for a mortgage. Unfortunately, this challenge appears to be getting even more difficult thanks to the combined impact of COVID19 and Brexit. The self-employed and the mortgage market Since 2014, lenders have been […]
News and Articles
How To Buy A New Home Without Leaving Yours
Like many other industries, the real estate sector has been working to leverage the internet as much as possible. COVID19 has helped to give this trend a major boost. It is not, yet, always practical to complete a home sale entirely from the comfort of your current home. It is, however, very possible to complete […]
Can House Prices Keep Rising?
Data from the Halifax House Price Index shows that average house prices have increased by 7.6% in the year to November and by 1.2% between October and November. That’s in spite of COVID19 and Brexit drawing ever closer. Can house-price increases continue into 2021 and beyond? Here are some points to consider. The impact of […]
Should You Use Savings To Pay Off Your Mortgage?
If you are fortunate enough to have savings, then it’s important to use it to best effect. Paying down your mortgage is one option, but there are others you should consider first. Building up an emergency fund Emergency funds (or “cash cushions”) are handy at the best of times. Right now, they may literally end […]
Where Now For Mortgage Prisoners?
The Mortgage Market Review took effect in 2014. Over the long term, it may reduce the risk of another 2008. For the present, however, it has led to some people being trapped on expensive mortgages because they are being told that they cannot afford better deals. The plight of these “mortgage prisoners” is well known. […]
Is The Stamp Duty Holiday Still Meaningful?
The Stamp Duty holiday applies to all properties purchased between 8th July 2020 and 31st March 2021 (inclusive). Assuming it closes on schedule, there are basically three months left to complete transactions. This raises the question of whether the Stamp Duty holiday is still meaningful for new buyers (and sellers). New buyers If any buyer […]