Residential Mortgage Blog

The latest residential mortgage market news, advice and views from our resident experts at Mortgages for Business

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• Budget 2011: First Buy scheme a drop in the ocean - 23.03.2011

  23/03/2011

  The pool of buyers that qualify for the government’s First Buy scheme is so small you couldn’t even have a bath in it.

• Isn't it nice to have choice!

  08/02/2011

  A client recently called me up with a quandary.  They had moved onto their lender's (Halifax) standard variable rate (SVR) and were paying 3.5% on a mortgage at 70% loan to value.  They wanted to know whether I could save them some money.

• Innovative Lending Policy for IT Contractors - 23.11.2010

  23/11/2010

  Many IT Contractors now work via a Limited Company or some form of offshore trust for tax reasons.  This can be problematic for them when applying for a mortgage, especially if the structure has been in place for less than two years. 

• Interest Rates to Hit 8% by 2012 - 23/08/2010

  23/08/2010

  A national tabloid today published an article quoting a Chief Economist at Policy Exchange as saying that rates could return to levels not seen since the 1990s to stave off soaring inflation.

• What is your house actually worth? 20/08/2010

  20/08/2010

  As The National Statistician reviews house price indices to decide whether there are gaps in consumer information, plus this months conflicting reviews of what house prices are actually doing, people are naturally wondering how much their properties are actually worth.

• FSA Consultantion Paper - Self Cert Mortgages

  13/07/2010

  The FSA have today released their consultation paper which offers commentary and areas for review in relation to 'Responsible Lending'.  The hot potatoe, 'self-cert mortgages' and 'fast track' mortgages obviously came under the hammer.

• Change of stance at Bank of England on increasing Interest Rates

  25/06/2010

  At this months MPC meeting, one of eight members (Andrew Sentance) voted in favor of a 0.25% increase in Bank of England Base Rate.

• Residential Fixed Rates at their Lowest for 15 Months

  27/05/2010

  The average two-year fixed rate deal has fallen to its lowest level in 15 months, according to Moneyfacts.co.uk. The average rate for a two-year fix last May was 6.59%, this has now dropped to 4.61%.

• Mortgage Update

  01/04/2010

  Seeing a massive upturn in the number of people looking to buy their first home, move house or remortgage, now would seem a good time to look at the residential mortgage market.

• New market leading residential rate - 24.09.2009

  24/09/2009

  Competition for HSBC - A new tracker deal at 1.98% has been launched for both purchases and remortgages on the market.