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News & insights - Moving home

Our expert views and commentary on what’s happening in the world of mortgages and sometimes beyond.

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First time buyer

Moving home

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Rental payments to appear on credit reports for first time

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.

November 1, 2018

Moving home

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What does the future hold for Help to Buy?

Lenders are urging the government to clarify the future of the Help to Buy scheme, warning that major changes could risk “significant market disruption.”

October 22, 2018

First time buyer

Moving home

Remortgage

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Be sure to update your self-employed paperwork

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.

October 15, 2018

First time buyer

Moving home

Remortgage

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New Help to Buy mortgages launched

Growing numbers of lenders are launching Help to Buy mortgages, increasing the options available to buyers of new build properties.

October 8, 2018

Buy to Let

First time buyer

Moving home

Remortgage

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Are you ready for Gas Safety week?

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.

September 17, 2018

Fixed rate

First time buyer

House prices

Moving home

Remortgage

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Mortgage lending increased in July

Gross mortgage lending reached £24.6bn in July, according to latest figures from trade body UK Finance, its highest level since March 2016.

September 6, 2018

Fixed rate

First time buyer

Moving home

Remortgage

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More mortgage options for professionals

Clydesdale Bank has become the latest lender to introduce a new range of mortgages specifically for professionals.

August 1, 2018

Fixed rate

First time buyer

Moving home

Remortgage

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Options improve for 95% remortgage deals

Homeowners with only a limited amount of equity now have a greater choice of remortgage options, with lenders including Virgin Money, Tesco and Atom Bank improving their offerings at this end of the market.

July 11, 2018

Moving home

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Second steppers return to Bank of Mum and Dad

Whilst first-time buyers often rely on the Bank of Mum and Dad to help with their deposits, those planning their next move also depend on their support, according to the latest ‘Second Steppers’ report from Lloyds Bank.

July 4, 2018

First time buyer

Moving home

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Buying cheaper than renting in all parts of the UK

First-time buyers who manage to get onto the property ladder could save an average of more than £2,200 a year compared to renting, with buying now cheaper than renting in all areas of the UK.

June 28, 2018

Buy to Let

Fixed rate

First time buyer

Moving home

Remortgage

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Remortgages up by a third in April

More than 40,000 homeowners remortgaged in April, according to latest figures from trade body UK Finance, up 36% compared to the same month last year.

June 20, 2018

First time buyer

Moving home

Stamp Duty

Map of the UK showing first time buyer stamp duty relief percentage changes from 2018 to 2028 for Sheffield, with a color-coded legend for cities indicating stamp duty bands.

4m homes could no longer qualify for stamp duty relief by 2028

Falling numbers of first-time buyers will benefit from stamp duty relief over the next decade, with rising property prices meaning around 4m homes across England may no longer qualify.

June 7, 2018

Fixed rate

First time buyer

Moving home

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First time buyers with small deposits have more mortgage options

Saving for a deposit is often the biggest challenge first-time buyers face but increasing numbers of lenders are introducing new mortgage deals which only require a 5% deposit.

June 6, 2018

First time buyer

House prices

Moving home

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Millennials join forces to buy property

More than half of millennials – those aged between 18 and 35 - are considering buying a home with friends or family to achieve their aim of getting on the property ladder.

May 23, 2018

Buy to Let

First time buyer

Moving home

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Guide to negotiating the price of a property

Haggling on the property price can be tricky. Some sellers will be happy to negotiate, whereas others may be determined not to drop below the asking price, so it’s not always easy to know how far you can push it.

October 9, 2017

First time buyer

Moving home

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3 ways to get onto the property ladder with a smaller deposit

Here are 3 ways to get onto the property ladder with a smaller deposit

July 31, 2017

Moving home

Remortgage

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What the papers said about leaseholds and mortgage terms

The spotlight in this weekend’s financial press was very much on newly announced Government plans to tackle the issues surrounding leasehold houses.

July 31, 2017

Moving home

Remortgage

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Mortgage debt for the over 65's on the rise

Borrowing into older age is set to become increasingly common, according to a new report, with several lenders already showing a more flexible approach to people in their 60s and 70s.

May 12, 2017

First time buyer

Moving home

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Buying a home with your basic salary plus bonuses

Some lenders are more flexible than others about including bonuses in their affordability calculations. Find out more in our blog

April 25, 2017

Buy to Let

Moving home

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How to get a mortgage if you’re self-employed

Applying for a mortgage can be tricky, but if you’re a self-employed worker, freelancer or contractor, you could face extra challenges. Here's what you'll need to get a mortgage as a self-employed person...

March 15, 2017

Moving home

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Five questions to ask when viewing a house

Buying a property is likely to be the biggest purchase you’ll ever make, so it’s vital you choose carefully. Here are five things you should ask when viewing a property.

February 24, 2017

Moving home

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Advantages of using a mortgage broker

Let’s face it, if you’re buying a home or remortgaging, the huge choice of mortgages available can seem bewildering. Should you go for a fixed rate deal, a variable rate deal, or an offset mortgage? And how much will you be able to afford?

February 6, 2017

First time buyer

Moving home

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Making sense of solicitors’ quotes

You’ve found a property you want to buy and got your mortgage application ready to go, so now you need to hire a solicitor and make sense of their quotes

November 4, 2016

First time buyer

Moving home

Remortgage

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4 tips for mortgage money saving

Even some of the savviest households are failing to consider cutting the costs of their mortgage. Our mortgage advisers have shared four ways you could save – follow these tips to see if you could save big.

September 19, 2016

Check your mortgage options

See the deals you qualify for & how much you could borrow

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