Our expert views and commentary on what’s happening in the world of mortgages and sometimes beyond, along with our regular summary of what the papers say.
More than 28,000 mortgages running for 35 years or more were approved in 2017, according to data from the Financial Conduct Authority, with a growing number of lenders now offering terms of up to 40 years. ...
House price growth in the UK remains resilient despite ongoing Brexit uncertainty according to Halifax, with prices rising at their fastest annual rate since early 2017. ...
Recent UK Finance figures revealed a significant increase in the number of people ‘staying put’ and remortgaging to release money from their property, many of whom are using the funds to carry out home improvements including extensions. ...
The government has pledged £5m to help boost the number of green mortgages available to homebuyers. ...
The average price of a flat in England has fallen by 2.1% over the year to an average of £220,146, according to the UK House Price Index for April, whereas all other types of property have increased in value. ...
Fancy a flat-pack home? Up to 162 new factory-built homes could soon be constructed in Worthing if a deal between the council and an affordable housing developer co-owned by IKEA goes ahead. ...
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted to keep interest rates on hold at 0.75% earlier this month, with ongoing Brexit uncertainty continuing to hamper economic growth. ...
Most mortgage applications go without a hitch, but there are times when applications are refused, leaving buyers or homeowners wondering which way to turn. The good news is that once you know the reasons why a mortgage might be declined you can work on boosting your chances of being accepted. ...
NHS staff, police officers, firefighters and teachers are among those who’ll be eligible to apply for a new ‘Hero Mortgage’ from specialist lender Kensington. ...
Since its launch in 2013, the Help to Buy equity loan scheme has allowed thousands of struggling buyers to purchase a property. This will come to an end in March 2023, and experts in this weekend’s financial press predicted a subsequent increase in demand for shared-ownership properties. ...
There are nearly 200 interest-only mortgages for borrowers to pick from, according to recent research, nearly double the number available in 2013. ...
Five-year fixed rates were the product of choice in April, reported the Times this weekend, with 45% of all borrowers opting for protection against the possibility of rising rates. ...
Here, we explain what it means for borrowers when a lender stops offering mortgages. ...
MPs have set up an all-party parliamentary group (APPG) to explore ways to help mortgage prisoners who are stuck paying high interest rates because they’re unable to switch to better deals. ...
The Guardian reported this weekend on the ongoing battle for mortgage prisoners to gain access to lower rates. ...
The amount landlords can charge as a deposit will be capped from next month to protect tenants from having to fork out thousands of pounds to secure a property. ...
Despite the fact that interest rates were kept on hold at 0.75% this month, the Bank of England has warned that rate increases could be “more frequent” if the economy picks up. ...
The amount first-time buyers are saving for a deposit has risen by 12% over the past year to reach an average of £30,989. ...
One in six parents who remortgage use it as an opportunity to provide financial support to their children, according to research. ...
The number of first-time buyers getting onto the property ladder is on the up, helped by low mortgage rates which make owning a home more affordable. ...
The competition runs from 10am 04/05/2019 until midnight 31/05/2019. Entries received after this time will not be put forward for the draw. The prize draw is open to residents of the UK aged 18 or over, excluding employees or agencies of London & Country Mortgages, MoneySuperMarket or their respective group companies or families or anyone else connected to the Prize Draw. ...
Steep stamp duty costs are encouraging homeowners to improve rather than move, potentially reducing the number of smaller homes available to first-time buyers, a House of Lords report warns. ...
Not sure whether to remortgage? Here are five reasons why it could be a good idea for you to find a new mortgage deal: ...
The financial press took a look at the pros and cons of longer mortgage terms this weekend, following research produced by Santander that suggested almost half of buyers would consider taking a mortgage over a period of 40 years. ...
More than a quarter of a million homeowners will reach the end of their interest-only mortgages in the next five years but could struggle to remortgage, according to new research. ...
We're excited to launch our latest TV advert, encouraging homeowners to check they’re on the best possible deal and celebrating the fact that L&C is now the UK’s number one online mortgage broker. ...
Non-UK residents buying homes in England and Northern Ireland could soon face steeper stamp duty costs, under proposals being considered by the government. ...
The building society said that it had launched its later life mortgage range in response to growing demand for borrowing into retirement, brought about by demographic and social changes....
For the first time in nearly six decades, a child is at least as likely to be born into a rented home as a home owned by its parents, a report by insurer Royal London found. ...
This weekend’s financial press highlighted the variety of new products coming on to the market, as lenders look for new and interesting ways to attract borrowers. ...
Lenders are increasingly offering mortgages with terms of up to 40 years, helping homebuyers on tighter budgets to get onto the property ladder. ...
The Times reported this weekend that around £22.3 billion worth of mortgage deals will come to an end in April, meaning that potentially thousands of homeowners could be about to move onto more expensive Standard Variable Rates (SVR). ...
UK house prices edged higher in March, according to Nationwide, rising by a modest 0.2% during the month as ongoing Brexit uncertainty continues to take its toll. ...
Thousands of “mortgage prisoners” who are trapped paying high mortgage rates may soon be able to move to better deals under proposals announced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). ...
The Bank of England voted unanimously to leave the base rate unchanged at 0.75% in March, with political and economic uncertainty making it impossible to know which way rates will move next. ...
Council tax bills are on their way up again from April, but if you’re worried about rising household bills, remortgaging could help reduce your outgoings. ...
Good traffic links and nearby scenic walks are top of homebuyers’ wish lists, according to new L&C research, with takeaway delivery services and access to Uber cabs a much lower priority. ...
Joining forces with friends may be the only way some first-time buyers can afford to get onto the property ladder, but it’s important to weigh up all the pros and cons of co-owning a home first. ...
Over 400,000 first-time buyers have been given a leg up onto the property ladder by one or more of the government’s Help to Buy schemes over the past five years. ...
There are just a few weeks to go before the new 2019-20 tax year begins on 6th April, when landlords will see further reductions in the amount of tax relief they can claim. ...
Here’s our rundown of the top financial goals you’ll need to focus on and some of the ways you might be able to reach them....
The competition runs from 10am 01/03/2019 until midnight 31/03/2019. Entries received after this time will not be put forward for the draw. The prize draw is open to residents of the UK aged 18 or over, excluding employees or agencies of London & Country Mortgages, MoneySuperMarket or their respective group companies or families or anyone else connected to the Prize Draw....
Political and economic uncertainty has failed to dent first-time buyers’ enthusiasm, latest UK Finance figures show, with numbers reaching a 12-year high in 2018. ...
Both the Times and Financial Times reported this weekend on recent figures from UK Finance, which show an increase in the number of mortgages given to First Time Buyers last year. ...
Japanese knotweed, the intrusive superweed which strikes fear into the hearts of homeowners, could be under control in 21 years thanks to tighter mortgage lending criteria. ...
It might not be a very romantic question, but would you stay in a relationship to get a foot on the property ladder? Two salaries can make it much easier to qualify for better mortgage deals and help to meet lenders’ affordability tests. But is it worth it?...
There were around 785,000 first-time buyers in England last year, according to the latest English Housing Survey, with many helped by the Bank of Mum and Dad. ...
100% mortgages have hit the headlines recently with the launch of Lloyds Bank’s new ‘Lend a Hand’ scheme, but can homebuyers really purchase a property with no deposit? ...
Thinking about a new kitchen or adding an extension to your property in 2019? If so, you can’t start planning soon enough. ...
Millions of homeowners will be mortgage-free later than they expected, according to new L&C research, but there are plenty of things you can do to pay off what you owe sooner. ...
As uncertainty over Brexit continues, the financial press looked this weekend at the impact on the housing market and consumer confidence. ...
Landlords racing to beat the self-assessment deadline on 31st January must for the first time factor in cuts to mortgage interest rate relief when completing their tax returns. ...
Around 140,000 homeowners who are stuck paying high interest rate mortgages could soon find it easier to move to cheaper deals, under plans announced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). ...
Growing numbers of first-time buyers are getting onto the property ladder, new figures show, helped by low mortgage rates and government schemes such as Help to Buy. ...
The savings homeowners can make by remortgaging have reached their highest level in 11 years, according to new research. ...
The financial press reported this weekend on plans by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to change affordability rules for ‘mortgage prisoners’. ...
House prices rose at their slowest pace for nearly six years in December, according to Nationwide’s latest house price index, with ongoing Brexit uncertainty taking its toll. ...
January is often the month when many of us decide to sort out our finances, and reviewing your mortgage should be top of the list. ...
Your mortgage is likely to be your biggest monthly outgoing, so it’s a great place to start if you’re looking to cut costs. Here’s our rundown of some of the mortgage resolutions you might want to consider making. ...
Young people whose parents have property wealth are nearly three times more likely to get onto the property ladder by the age of 30 than those whose parents don’t own a home. ...
1. The competition runs from 10am 10/01/2019 until midnight 11/02/2019. Entries received after this time will not be put forward for the draw. 2. The prize draw is open to residents of the UK aged 18 or over, excluding employees or agencies of London & Country Mortgages, MoneySuperMarket or their respective group companies or families or anyone else connected to the Prize Draw. 3. Contestants must Like and Share our competition post, like the L&C Facebook page and post a comment, or Like ...
So-called ‘supersized’ mortgages have hit the headlines following the launch of a new mortgage enabling professionals to borrow up to six times their salary. ...
One in five (22%) first-time buyers is hoping their parents will cough up more than half the funds they need to get onto the property ladder, according to recent research. ...
Is moving house one of your New Year’s resolutions? If so, check out our list of do’s and don’ts to get your home ready for viewing and see if you can get the best possible price. ...
Want to get in touch with us over Christmas? No problem, here’s when we’ll be available for you to give us a call: ...
Landlords who are concerned about higher mortgage costs if interest rates rise have a wider range of fixed rate options to choose from following the launch of a new range of 10-year fixes. ...
Smart meters are gradually being installed in homes across the UK, putting an end to estimated bills and allowing us to see exactly how much energy we’re using. ...
One in five mortgage holders, equivalent to three million people, believe they will still be paying off their mortgage beyond the age of 65, according to new L&C research. ...
L&C will be taking part in the first ever Mortgage Sleep Out on Friday 30th November to help highlight the issue of homelessness across the UK. ...
Nearly two-thirds of people trying to move up the property ladder say they’re finding it harder than it was to buy their first home. ...
House prices ticked up in October, according to Halifax, supported by the limited supply of properties available for sale, low mortgage rates and a strong jobs market. ...
Thousands of first-time buyers every year manage to get onto the property ladder with help from their parents, but not everyone is lucky enough to have financial support from family. ...
Fixed rate mortgages have proved hugely popular in recent years, but with increasingly attractive variable rate deals on offer, is it time for borrowers to consider other options? ...
The Bank of England voted unanimously to keep the base rate at 0.75% in November, the third consecutive month it has left rates unchanged. ...
L&C recently ran a study to find out the real world value of video game properties. You might be surprised to find out that more people Google ‘How to buy a house in Skyrim’ than ‘How to buy a house in London, Paris, or even New York! So what could this mean in reality? We’ve put together a comparison so you can figure out whether you’d be hanging out in Hyrule or slumming it in Fallout 4’s Home Plate....
Landlords should be incentivised to sell to tenants at a discount under a new scheme proposed by conservative think-tank the Centre for Policy Studies. ...
First-time buyers who are currently renting could find it easier to get onto the property ladder now that rental payment information will be included on their credit reports. ...
First-time buyer numbers in August reached their highest level since June last year, with a total of 35,500 mortgages completed. ...
The 2018 Autumn Budget included a range of measures focused on the housing market. Here’s our rundown of the changes. ...
The Chancellor Philip Hammond will unveil his Autumn Budget on October 29th, with many speculating that he could announce a range of measures affecting the property market. ...
Tenants living in shared houses could face steeper rents following the introduction of new legislation which requires their landlords to hold a license. ...
Customers who remain loyal to their financial providers are losing out on more than £4bn a year, equivalent to almost £900 per household, according to Citizens Advice. ...
Lenders are urging the government to clarify the future of the Help to Buy scheme, warning that major changes could risk “significant market disruption.” ...
The number of self-employed people in the UK continues to grow, but getting a mortgage if you work for yourself isn’t always straightforward. ...
The challenges of achieving home ownership were highlighted once again this weekend, with the Financial Times reporting on recent figures published by the Office of National Statistics. ...
Halifax’s latest house price index showed that the quarterly rate of growth held steady in September, although the month-on-month change revealed a drop. ...
Growing numbers of lenders are launching Help to Buy mortgages, increasing the options available to buyers of new build properties. ...
The Guardian highlighted further changes for landlords this week, as new rules for ‘Houses in Multiple Occupation’ (HMO’s) come into force. ...
When inflation rises or falls, it can have a significant impact on mortgage rates because the Bank of England uses the rate of inflation to help it decide whether the base rate should go up or down. Here’s what you need to know. ...
To help people identify whether they could be at risk, Public Health England is urging adults to take a free online test to find out their ‘heart age’. ...
The Sunday Times reported this week that, despite last month’s increase in the Bank of England base rate, a number of big name lenders have cut their rates in recent weeks. ...
1. The competition runs from 8am 28/09/2018 until midnight 31/10/2018. Entries received after this time will not be put forward for the draw. ...
Tens of thousands of landlords may have to apply for a licence to rent out their property as a ‘house in multiple occupation’ (HMO) once new government rules are introduced on October 1. ...
It is a decade since investment bank Lehman Brothers went bust, triggering a global financial crisis which resulted in widespread changes to the UK mortgage market. ...
Around one in five parents and grandparents aged over 55 accept a lower standard of living to help family onto the housing ladder, according to research. ...
This year’s Gas Safety Week, which runs from September 17-23, aims to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which can cause fires, explosions, gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning. ...
Longer term 5 and 10-year fixed rate mortgages are becoming increasingly popular, as borrowers seek to protect themselves from further interest rate rises. ...
The Bank of England today voted to keep the base rate unchanged at 0.75%. ...
This weekend’s financial press looked at the future of Help to Buy, with experts sharing their views on whether the Government scheme should be amended, extended or scrapped beyond its current end date of 2021. ...
Gross mortgage lending reached £24.6bn in July, according to latest figures from trade body UK Finance, its highest level since March 2016. ...
