News & insights - Moving home

More than half of properties in the UK are in areas that are affordable for first-time buyers, according to new research, with Blackpool, Hull and Lincoln among the ‘affordable hotspots.’

Homebuyers and owners wanting the security of a long-term fixed rate mortgage now have a much wider range of options to choose from following the launch of several new 15-year deals.

People will be able to buy more of their own home more easily under changes to the shared ownership scheme announced last week.

As economic uncertainty continues lenders are competing to offer the cheapest fixed rate mortgages, and recent figures show a drop in average fixed rates since the referendum of 2016.

Older homeowners have typically been in their properties around 10 years longer than younger owners, as home mover activity in the UK remains subdued.

First-time buyer and homemover mortgage numbers dropped slightly in June, with many people putting their plans on hold due to current political and economic uncertainty.

The number of homes purchased using Help to Buy increased by 9% in the year to the end of March 2019, with 52,404 properties bought using the scheme over this period.

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted unanimously to keep the base rate at 0.75% earlier this month amid ongoing Brexit uncertainty.

Despite recent reports that self-employed people often believe they’d struggle to get a mortgage, being your own boss won’t necessarily make it harder to get on the property ladder.

All new build homes should be sold on a freehold basis in future, in a bid to tackle unfair and exploitative leasehold practices, the government announced in recent weeks.

Figures reveal a growing number of mortgages being taken over terms of 35 years or more. Find out about the pros and cons of longer mortgage terms.

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.

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.

The government has pledged £5m to help boost the number of green mortgages available to homebuyers.

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. The Hero Mortgage is specifically tailored to those working in public sector services, who may struggle to get a mortgage because they are often on low incomes.

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.

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.

Non-UK residents buying homes in England and Northern Ireland could soon face steeper stamp duty costs, under proposals being considered by the government.

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.

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.

Here’s our rundown of the top financial goals you’ll need to focus on and some of the ways y