The UK housing market has long been known for its vigour. Since July 2020, however, its performance has been astounding. According to figures from the Office for National Statistics, over the year to March 2021, there was a 10.2% increase in property prices. Is this, however, a good sign or a major red flag? House […]
News and Articles
The Silver Market Lacks Luster For Mortgage Lenders
If you thought the self-employed had a hard time in the mortgage market, you’d be right. According to the latest data from the MBT Affordability Index, only 70% of self-employed mortgage applicants found at least one lender able to meet the loan. For customers aged 55 and over, however, the figure was 64%. So why […]
Understanding Mortgages and Interest Rates
At a basic level, interest rates are easy to understand. The higher they are, the more the borrower pays the lender and vice versa. In the real world, however, there can be a lot of nuance. With that in mind, here’s a quick look at the main types of mortgages and how interest rates apply […]
How To Downsize Without Stress
When children fly the nest, family homes can begin to feel very empty. They are, however, often full of equity. This can easily end up in the hands of HMRC unless parents are very careful. For these reasons, and many more, downsizing can be a very attractive option. With that in mind, here is a […]
LTV And The Affordability Issue
Since the beginning of the Stamp Duty holiday, there has been an overall increase in the price of property in the UK. There has also been an increase in the number of people searching for 95% mortgages. Should this be ringing alarm bells? Here are some points to consider. The MMR should stop a repeat […]
COVID19 Lingers In Mortgage Market
It was always fairly obvious that COVID19 was going to have a significant financial impact on the UK (and, indeed, the world). What may not have been obvious, however, was just how that impact was going to manifest itself. For example, the after-effects of COVID19 are acting as a barrier to re-mortgaging. Here’s what you […]