What’s stopping young people from getting on the housing ladder?
- Mortgage borrowing spiked £3.2bn in May according to Bank of Englandon July 1, 2022 at 11:52 am
New mortgages granted totalled £7.4bn in May, according to the Bank of England, up from £4.2bn in April.
- House prices record lowest monthly growth since 2019, says Zoopla on July 1, 2022 at 8:18 am
Prices increased 0.1% in May, and Zoopla has predicted that levels of growth will reduce for the rest of the year.
- House prices increased £26k in year to June but growth is now slowing, says Nationwideon July 1, 2022 at 7:24 am
The annual rate of house price growth in the UK slowed in June, rising 10.7% – down from 11.2% in May.
- Halifax slashes minimum deposit required to buy a new build home to just 5%on June 29, 2022 at 12:55 pm
The bank has halved the minimum deposit from 10% to 5%, meaning borrowers could buy an average-priced home with a deposit of £14,500.
- Why paying thousands to escape your mortgage could save you moneyon June 29, 2022 at 9:09 am
To put a lid on rising bills borrowers are rushing to lock in cheap fixed rates before they disappear – even if it means paying steep penalties.
- What does it take to become a first time buyer today?on June 28, 2022 at 8:05 am
It seems with every passing year the homeownership aspiration shared by so many young Britons becomes ever more the distant dream.
- How London property asking prices have struggled since Brexiton June 27, 2022 at 9:10 am
Inner London property prices have not kept pace in percentage terms with the rest of Britain since the Brexit vote in June 2016, our exclusive analysis reveals.
- A home now costs 7x average UK earnings, Halifax sayson June 25, 2022 at 7:42 am
Since the start of the pandemic house prices have risen 16.8%, while average incomes have only increased by 2.7%, according to data from Halifax.
- Base rate rise to 1.25%: What it means for mortgages and saverson June 24, 2022 at 4:31 pm
The Bank of England has upped the base rate for the fifth time since December as it attempts to suppress soaring inflation.
- How much would your mortgage rate rise by if you had to fix now?on June 24, 2022 at 8:39 am
A generation of borrowers are facing a sudden reversal of the situation where typically when they move home or remortgage their rate goes down.
- ONS house prices: Home values up 12.4% in Aprilon June 22, 2022 at 11:23 am
Property inflation reached 12.4% in the year to April, up from 9.8% in March, according to the latest data from the ONS.
- How to remortgage: Your guide to getting the best home loanon June 21, 2022 at 7:29 am
Switching mortgage lender when your fixed term ends can save you money – but how does the remortgage process work and what do homeowners need to consider?
- Mortgage affordability test to be axed by the Bank of Englandon June 20, 2022 at 5:10 pm
The Bank of England has ditched mortgage affordability guidelines designed to prevent people from financially overstretching.
- Ambitious sellers push property asking prices to a new high, says Rightmoveon June 20, 2022 at 7:54 am
The average price of property newly listed on the market rose by £1,100, between May and June to hit a record high of £368,614, the latest index by Rightmove shows.
- Over 6m Britons embroiled in property boundary disputeson June 16, 2022 at 7:38 am
Around 14 per cent of homeowners have been caught up in a spat with neighbours over property boundaries in the past year, Churchill says. And it appears fences are hotbeds of dispute.
- The mortgage trick that could save you thousandson June 16, 2022 at 7:13 am
With interest rates rising, borrowers face a hefty jump in their monthly repayments. Yet there is a way to mitigate this extra expense.
- Should you opt for a mortgage deal that charges arrangement fees?on June 16, 2022 at 6:00 am
Fewer mortgages now charge arrangement fees, and the typical amount charged is dropping – though it won’t offset rising rates.
- Why Whitby’s gone to war with second home owners and holiday letson June 15, 2022 at 4:14 pm
Many of Whitby’s residents believe the tourist takeover of this former fishing port has gone too far and rebellious residents have had enough.
- What’s stopping young people from getting on the housing ladder?on June 15, 2022 at 12:55 pm
Half of Britons believe young peoples overindulgent and frivolous spending habits to be a major factor hindering their homeownership aspirations.
- Mortgage crunch: Rates on best two-year fixes have trebledon June 14, 2022 at 4:20 pm
A typical £150,000 mortgage from a basket of best buy deals now costs almost £130 a month more than it did eight months ago, an increase of more than £1,500 per year.
- How could ‘benefits to bricks’ mortgages and new Right to Buy plans work?on June 10, 2022 at 2:52 pm
New Government plans aim to help housing association tenants and benefit claimants get on the property ladder – but how will it work in practice?
- Our garden fence is in the wrong place, can I claim back a lost metre?on June 10, 2022 at 9:16 am
I’ve checked the plan on the title deeds and I am certain that the fence has been erected one metre over where the boundary should be – but our neighbour won’t move it.
- Home buyer interest starts to fall, says Rics, in cost of livign squeezeon June 9, 2022 at 8:51 am
House prices will continue rising in the short-term, despite a dip in demand from prospective buyers last month, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said.
- John Lewis unveils first locations for its built-to-rent homeson June 9, 2022 at 6:33 am
The three proposed sites include building over Waitrose shops in Bromley and West Ealing in Greater London, as well as replacing a vacant John Lewis warehouse in Mill Lane, Reading.
- Will government property perks to combat high house prices work?on June 8, 2022 at 8:51 am
Ministers know they need to do more to help young people onto the housing ladder and have trailed a series of proposals to do just that.
- How high would house prices be if they’d matched inflation since 1952?on June 8, 2022 at 8:47 am
In 1952, the average UK house price was £1,891, whereas now it is £269,914, says Nationwwide, but the figure be if prices had matched inflation?
- Is the housing bubble set to burst? Prices and mortgage approvals slowon June 8, 2022 at 8:34 am
The annual rate of house price growth slipped to 11.2% in May, down from 12.1% in April and 14.3% in March, according to Nationwide.
- Third of Britons worried about mortgage or rent, Ipsos poll sayson June 7, 2022 at 2:03 pm
An Ipsos poll shared exclusively with This is Money, found that 36% of people were ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ concerned about their ability to pay their rent or mortgage.
- Cheap mortgages from small building societies undercut big bankson June 1, 2022 at 3:07 pm
Niche lenders like The Cambridge, Loughborough Building Society and Hanley Economic are offering some of the market’s best mortgage rates.
- Nationwide: House prices up 11.2% but early signs market is slowingon June 1, 2022 at 8:22 am
The average home costs £27,082 more than a year ago, at £269,914, said Nationwide Building Society.
- Credit card borrowing hit 16-year high in April, BofE data showson May 31, 2022 at 1:21 pm
Britons borrowed £1.4billion on credit cards, overdrafts, personal loans and car finance – the third consecutive month where borrowing topped £1billion.
- Is it time to take out a TEN-YEAR mortgage?on May 30, 2022 at 10:06 am
The number of homeowners looking for long-term fixed rate mortgages has soared. The Arrowsmiths fixed a loan for a decade
- Can off-market portal Invisible Homes really sell your property for more than Rightmove?on May 27, 2022 at 5:05 pm
New property selling portal claims to help sellers avoid ‘stale’ listings and buyers cut down on annoying calls from estate agents.
- Self-employed twice as likely to be rejected for a mortgage: Here’s how to get acceptedon May 27, 2022 at 7:54 am
Nearly a quarter of self-employed individuals have had a mortgage application denied in the past, compared to just 12% of salaried workers
- Home sales drop in April as property market returns to normalon May 24, 2022 at 10:45 am
HMRC data shows drop in house sales and purchases, as experts claim housing transactions are are returning to levels seen before the pandemic.
- Why buying a fixer-upper could cost MORE than a modern homeon May 24, 2022 at 8:16 am
Buying a property that needs work is often seen as a great way to secure a bargain – but spiralling renovation costs mean it could end up being more expensive.
- How to build your own BBQ: Tips and tricks from the expertson May 23, 2022 at 3:48 pm
Mike Edwards, owner of website DIY Doctor, says: ‘This year, there seems to be more people than ever wanting to put up a permanent brick barbecue.’
- My neighbour’s dog is about to knock down our fence: Can we make them pay for the damage?on May 23, 2022 at 4:44 am
The deeds say the fence is our responsibility, but it wasn’t an issue until the dog came on the scene.
- Remortgagers can now borrow 6.5 TIMES salary with Nationwideon May 17, 2022 at 11:47 am
Higher loan-to-income limit could help households where one partner has stopped work, for example to retire or look after children, or become self-employed.
- Housing market confidence holds up as 82% of movers think they can sell in three monthson May 16, 2022 at 12:57 pm
Similarly, 76% of buyers thought they would make a purchase in three months – though agents noted a ‘degree of caution’ creeping in to decision-making.
- Our home has subsidence, why didn’t our mortgage valuation spot it?on May 16, 2022 at 7:37 am
The home has major structural issues that will cost thousands to fix. Why wasn’t this picked up when our mortgage lender valued the property?
- Cheapest mortgage rates more than double: Should you overpay?on May 14, 2022 at 7:16 am
The typical new, £150,000 repayment mortgage now costs over £100 a month more than it did seven months ago.
- Best mortgage rates: Compare fixed rate and tracker rate mortgage dealson May 13, 2022 at 10:45 am
The average two-year and five-year fixed rate increased again in April, reaching 2.86% and 3.01% respectively.
- What does a 1% base rate mean for savers and mortgage borrowerson May 12, 2022 at 9:06 am
Mortgage borrowers have already seen costs escalate rapidly, while savers have been rewarded, but what can they do as rates continue to rise?
- Mortgage lenders slam brakes on house prices with down valuationson May 11, 2022 at 9:05 am
Experts warn banks saying homes aren’t worth the price agreed, could be a sign the property boom is ending. Maria Ivanova (pictured) was one of the buyers affected.
- Mortgage rates: Average two-year fix breaches 3%on May 10, 2022 at 11:32 am
The average two-year fixed rate mortgage has breached 3% for the first time in seven years, according to Moneyfacts.
- TSB, Barclays and Santander increase variable mortgage rates after BofE base rate hikeon May 6, 2022 at 2:40 pm
Lenders have echoed the Bank’s rise with uplifts of 0.25% on standard variable rates, with homeowners set to see their monthly payments increase from June.
- Should you use a 95% mortgage to get yourself on the property ladder?on May 6, 2022 at 6:53 am
With house prices soaring, mortgage rates rising and the UK gripped by a cost of living crisis, aspiring first-time buyers may be wondering whether their homeownership dream will ever become a reality.
- Will Boris’s Right to Buy unleash a Thatcher-style revolution?on May 4, 2022 at 9:16 am
Margaret Thatcher’s Right to Buy scheme, which was introduced in 1980, helped 2.5 million households achieve the homeownership dream.
- VICTORIA BISCHOFF: Would Mrs Thatcher back a new Right to Buy scheme?on May 4, 2022 at 8:54 am
The world has changed since the 1980s – and many living in housing association homes won’t be able to afford even a discounted house.
- House prices rise another 12% despite cost of living pressureson May 3, 2022 at 8:33 am
Although the annual increase marks a slight slowdown from March, growth has now been in the double-digits for 11 consecutive months, Nationwide said.
- House prices could start to FALL next year and drop 5% by end of 2024on April 28, 2022 at 1:31 pm
House prices could fall nearly 5% in the next two years according to analysts, wiping out some of the near 20% gains made since the start of the pandemic.
- Betrayal of trust: Salesmen leave pensioners facing crippling costson April 28, 2022 at 11:28 am
Unregulated legal firms claim that by transferring property and cash into a trust it will protect their assets from care home fees and inheritance tax.
- Our mortgage was rejected – was it because of rising cost of living?on April 28, 2022 at 7:48 am
We need to move home but the bank rejected our application for a decision in principle. Why did this happen, and how can we make sure our next one is accepted?
- Homeowners at risk as cowboy builders cash in on home extension boomon April 27, 2022 at 11:03 am
Nicola Goulden (pictured) has been left with a bill of more than £47,000 and had her dream of running a hair salon at home shattered by cowboy builder.
- Property asking prices up £35,600 in a YEAR, says Rightmoveon April 25, 2022 at 10:08 am
More than half (53%) of homes are selling for more than the asking price, according to the property listing site – the highest proportion ever recorded.
- End of stamp duty break sees property sales fall by more than a thirdon April 22, 2022 at 9:23 am
Around 114,650 residential property transactions took place last month, which was 35.7 per cent less than in March 2021, but a 2.6 per cent rise compared with February 2022.
- Natwest ups mortgage age limit to 75: Here’s how to ensure you pay yours off by retirementon April 22, 2022 at 7:35 am
Rising retirement age and surging house prices mean many people are both working and paying off their home loans for longer.
- Distance from London is most influential factor for house prices in townson April 19, 2022 at 3:57 pm
The ONS explained that being closer to London was the most important factor associated with higher property prices.
- Will house prices keep rising? Knight Frank predicts end of the boomon April 19, 2022 at 3:56 pm
Estate agent has predicted the UK property boom is about to end, with prices set to stagnate following years of sustained rises.
- Natwest calls for green homeowners to get their stamp duty backon April 19, 2022 at 8:56 am
David Lindberg (pictured), boss of the Natwest’s retail arm, said making UK homes more energy efficient is the most effective way to cut bills.
- Phil Spencer on property prices and top tips for home moverson April 17, 2022 at 8:24 am
He says that moving home should be ‘exciting’ but problems typically crop up because it is a ‘complex process with many moving parts.’
- Cost of living crisis could see homeowners stretch mortgages to 35 years or moreon April 13, 2022 at 8:23 am
A longer mortgage term helps lower monthly repayments, but borrowers could end up paying tens of thousands more interest overall.
- Mortgage mayhem: How to sort your home loan as interest rates riseon April 13, 2022 at 8:21 am
Top mortgage deals are vanishing on an almost-daily basis and some five and ten-year fixed rate deals are now cheaper than two-year fixes.
- Five year fixed mortgages can now be found cheaper than two-year fixeson April 11, 2022 at 12:28 pm
In a move against the status quo, Halifax has launched cheaper long-term loans to encourage customers to lock in their monthly payments for longer.
- Biggest home loans squeeze for a decadeon April 10, 2022 at 8:01 am
Brokers have warned that soaring energy bills, tax rises, and the surging cost of goods have prompted banks to tighten their mortgage affordability tests.
- Mortgage rates hurtle higher: Should you take longer fix or overpay?on April 9, 2022 at 8:42 am
This is Money looks at the ways homeowners and landlords might mitigate rising mortgage rates, and attempts to answer some of the common questions we are being asked.
- Why the ‘Help to Buy’ scheme is not just for the first-timerson April 5, 2022 at 2:03 pm
With big deposits still hard to acquire, couples who bought small, first properties a few years ago may find that Help to Buy is the only way to make the sums add up and get the bigger home they need.
- Rent to become cheaper than mortgage for first time in 14 YEARSon April 5, 2022 at 10:39 am
Increasing house prices and rising interest rates will push the typical mortgage payment past £1,000 in early 2023, according to analysts at Capital Economics.
- Over-stretched luxury homeowners face become mortgage prisonerson April 5, 2022 at 8:37 am
Lenders are looking at business owners – who may typically pay themselves in dividends – and how recent dividend tax hikes will affect their ability to pay their mortgage.
- Do estate agents leave property adverts up on purpose so that we call in and share our details?on April 1, 2022 at 7:18 am
Every time we try and book a viewing, the agent tells us the property has gone – which we suspect is just a ploy to sign us up to the agents’ mailing list. Do we have to play along?
- House prices up 14.3%, says Nationwide, the highest level since 2004on March 31, 2022 at 9:02 am
The average home has now risen in price by £33,000 in the last 12 months to a record £265,312, said Britain’s biggest building society.
- Homes for Ukraine: What do homeowners and landlords need to know?on March 25, 2022 at 9:28 am
Many insurers have waived usual rules to allow homeowners to offer support, but landlords are urged to inform firms of their plans.
- TSB downvalued my house by £1.3M when I tried to remortgageon March 24, 2022 at 1:01 pm
It doesn’t make sense as property prices are rising fast in my area. Could they be looking at the wrong house?
- How much building costs have risen and how to stick to a budgeton March 24, 2022 at 12:52 pm
The average cost of home improvements jumped 61 per cent between January 2021 and January 2022.
- Sunak’s VAT cut on solar panels won’t help cost of living crisison March 23, 2022 at 6:43 pm
Rishi Sunak said in the Spring Statement that he would remove VAT on energy efficient measures such as solar panels, heat pumps and insulation installed for five years.
- ONS: House prices up £2,000 a month over the past yearon March 23, 2022 at 2:18 pm
The average house price rose 9.6 per cent in the year to January, down from the 10 per cent increase seen in the year to December.
- Should you buy or sell a house on the secret property market? on March 23, 2022 at 1:41 am
Mara Girone (pictured) spent two years trying to find the right property in London without success. Exasperated, she turned to a buying agent.
- Should we consider using a ‘quick sale’ company to sell our home?on March 21, 2022 at 2:18 pm
We own our one-bedroom flat jointly, and would be willing to take a lower price if it meant we could move on with our lives sooner – but are these firms legitimate?
- A fifth of homes sold in a week, says Rightmove, as asking prices climb againon March 21, 2022 at 9:47 am
The average asking price of homes newly-listed climbed a further £5,760 to £354,564 in the month to mid-March, said the property listing website.
- What does the base rate rise to 0.75% mean for you?on March 18, 2022 at 2:29 pm
The Bank of England has upped the base rate for the third time in three months as it attempts to keep a lid on soaring inflation.
- Tenants face record squeeze on finances due to rising rents and billson March 14, 2022 at 9:17 am
Hamptons estimates that by the end of this year, the average household in a rented property will spend a record 54 per cent of their post-tax income on rent and household bills.
- Number of new-build homes in England drops, data showson March 11, 2022 at 9:31 am
The number of dwellings where building work commenced on site across England was 41,600 in October to December, which is lower than the previous quarter and lower than a year ago.
- Three in five properties now sell within 30 days of being listedon March 11, 2022 at 8:30 am
Agents blamed an imbalance between the relatively low supply of new homes coming to the market, and the high number of people looking to buy.
- What to do if your fixed rate mortgage ends this yearon March 11, 2022 at 8:20 am
Interest rates are rising, which means some borrowers may want to lock in a new fixed mortgage deal now. Here’s what they need to know.
- Rise in inheritance clauses in wills to control wealth after deathon March 9, 2022 at 9:24 am
Solicitors say they have seen a rise in ‘trust clauses’ or conditions for how an inheritance must be paid. They say many conditions are fairly typical.
- Britons rush to remortgage to escape rising interest rates, Bank of England data showson March 8, 2022 at 12:53 pm
A total of £27.3bon of remortgages were agreed in the last three months of 2021, the highest in three years.
- Lenders pull 500 mortgages as average rates hit seven-year highon March 8, 2022 at 7:37 am
At 2.65%, the average two-year fixed mortgage rate is the highest recorded since November 2015 – but better deals can still be found by shopping around.
- Should I cut my mortgage term to save money?on March 7, 2022 at 8:08 am
More people are opting to repay their mortgage for more than the standard 25 years as it makes the monthly bill lower – but it increases interest overall.
- Number of first-time home buyers DOUBLED in 2021on March 7, 2022 at 7:22 am
Typical first-time buyer paid £281,900 for their home, and put down a deposit of £61,000 which was more than a year’s salary for a solo buyer.
- Can house prices keep rising as rates rise and inflation bites?on March 3, 2022 at 3:30 pm
House prices have risen 20% since the start of the pandemic. At what point do we reach the level where people just cannot keep paying more for homes?
- Pandemic boom sends house prices soaring 20%, says Nationwideon March 2, 2022 at 11:10 am
Britain’s biggest building society Nationwide said the average house price rose another £5,000 last month to breach £260,000 for the first time.
- How to get the best mortgage deal as cheap fixed rates jumpon March 2, 2022 at 9:35 am
The era of rock bottom rates looks to be officially over. Last year’s deals of less than 1% are gone with rates nearly twice what they were six months ago.
- Bank of England could relax mortgage affordability testson March 1, 2022 at 4:40 pm
The Bank of England is considering ditching rules that limit how much people can financially stretch themselves when taking out mortgages.
- Do I have to use an estate agents’ mortgage broker?on March 1, 2022 at 12:57 pm
In-house advice can cost up to £700 in some cases, but mortgage advisers suggest buyers are scared to turn it down in case it affects their purchase.
- TONY HETHERINGTON: £2,500 ransom to leave caravan parkon February 28, 2022 at 11:01 am
In October 2020, we purchased a static caravan. But last year the site was sold and the environment changed.
- Property start-up Boomin has 4 tricks to help buyers: Do they really work?on February 28, 2022 at 7:33 am
The brothers behind Purplebricks say their new property portal is a ‘game changer’ – but is it offering buyers anything new?
- Mortgage deals: Some lenders hike rates by as much as 0.5% in a weekon February 25, 2022 at 8:35 am
In the last seven days, a raft of banks and building societies have upped their rates including Santander which increased them by up to 0.5 percentage points.
- Will flats have a post-pandemic price boom as life returns to normal?on February 24, 2022 at 8:23 am
Demand for flats is already bouncing back so hard that in some locations, annual gains have now started to eclipse those of the wider market.
- Inheritance tax: It is no longer a tax for the wealthyon February 22, 2022 at 4:24 pm
The taxman collected £5billion in IHT between April 2021 and January 2022, a 14 per cent increase compared to the same period a year earlier.
- Property transactions dipped 13% in January due to rising interest rates and cost of livingon February 22, 2022 at 2:19 pm
There were 12,290 fewer transactions in January 2022 than there were in the same month in 2021, according to HMRC data.
- How do mortgages in different countries work?on February 22, 2022 at 7:57 am
Experts at Online Mortgage Advisor have rounded up some of the key details about how mortgages work in different countries, compared to the UK.
- How do I protect my house sale proceeds for inflation while property hunting?on February 22, 2022 at 7:29 am
I have just sold my flat in London and am house hunting in a village out of town, while renting – where should I park my cash?
- House asking prices see biggest monthly rise for 20 years, says Rightmoveon February 21, 2022 at 9:38 am
The average asking price for a home is 9.5 per cent higher than a year ago, Rightmove said, as sellers back the pandemic property boom to continue.
- Will 15million homes need energy efficiency improvements by 2035 in order to meet EPC C rating?on February 19, 2022 at 9:55 pm
The Government is considering introducing EPC regulations that could effectively force millions of homeowners to make improvements to their properties.
- Government mortgage guarantee scheme is a damp squibon February 18, 2022 at 2:41 pm
The scheme was used by 6,535 households between its launch on 19 April 2021 and 30 September, around 4% of the total first-time buyers in the market.
- House prices hit £275k in December 2021, ONS sayson February 16, 2022 at 11:22 am
The average property price was £275k in December – £27k higher than in the same month a year earlier, according to the Land Registry’s house price index.
- Self-employed mortgage borrowers grilled over Covid grants and loanson February 15, 2022 at 4:31 pm
One self-employed borrower told This is Money she was initially rejected, despite having a deposit of more than £540,000, as she took a £13,000 SEISS grant.
- Energy bill-free home in Essex will have ZERO gas and electric costson February 15, 2022 at 11:00 am
The family home will use eco-friendly gadgets such as heat pumps and solar panels, which builder says could save the owner £40k in bills over 20 years.
- When is the best time of the year to sell your home?on February 14, 2022 at 10:26 am
If a seller can be slightly flexible on when they list their home for sale, property experts say they could have a better chance of snagging a buyer and securing a higher price.
- Nationwide offers 5.5x salary mortgages to buyers with 5% depositon February 14, 2022 at 9:56 am
Lender is now offering ‘Helping Hand’ scheme on a 95% loan-to-value basis, but experts warn that monthly payments will be higher and negative equity is a risk.
- House prices continue rising across UK, but Rics warns rising cost of living could dampen marketon February 10, 2022 at 12:01 am
On a regional level, the most significant growth reported in property prices was focused in the North West and South East of England.
- Why are people and companies buying metaverse plots?on February 8, 2022 at 12:45 pm
As British property listing firm MoveStreets splashes out on a spot in the metaverse, Helen Crane looks at why virtual plots are being snapped up.
- How will base rate rise affect your mortgage? SVR borrowers could see £650 annual hikeon February 8, 2022 at 9:24 am
Homeowners are being warned to take stock of their mortgage as lenders are likely to increase rates, following the Bank of England’s decision.
- What’s behind the £1trillion pandemic property boom?on February 2, 2022 at 12:53 pm
The housing market shows little sign of running out of steam, with its strongest start to the year in 17 years, meaning buyers are fighting to secure homes.
- Return of gazumping: We lost £25,000 deposit – and our dream homeon February 2, 2022 at 9:48 am
Clare and Steven George-Hilley (pictured) paid a £25,000 fee to secure a new home. But the deal was delayed allowing the seller to seek a better offer.
- Halifax and Lloyds best buy 10-year fix mortgages ahead of base rate rise on February 1, 2022 at 7:46 am
Home buyers with large deposits will be able to fix for 10 years at 1.68 per cent – though brokers are warning of punitive early repayment charges.
- How to check energy saving home work won’t cause problemson January 31, 2022 at 9:20 am
Fitting cavity wall, floor or loft insulation can cut bills – but it can also lead to disruption and damage within homes.
- Property price growth SLOWING, Zoopla sayson January 27, 2022 at 8:12 am
Average prices increased by 1 per cent in the three months to December, taking the rate of annual growth down slightly from 7.7 per cent to 7.4 per cent, the property portal said.
- Habito hikes rates on 7 times income ‘lifetime’ mortgages, adding tens of thousands in intereston January 26, 2022 at 3:50 pm
The rate rises would cost someone with a £200,000 mortgage and a 10% deposit £26,000 extra in interest over a 26-year term.
- Home buyers can now borrow 7 TIMES salary with Habitoon January 26, 2022 at 3:40 pm
Lender will allow borrowers in certain professions to borrow much more than the standard 4.5 times salary, but they will need to fix their rate for at least 15 years.
- Equity release hit new high in 2021 as over-55s battled cost of living crisison January 25, 2022 at 3:01 pm
A total of £4.8bn was borrowed in equity release mortgages in 2021, an increase of 24% compared to 2020.
- Crackdown on second home and holiday let tax dodgerson January 24, 2022 at 9:33 am
Following anger from locals, the government will require second home owners to prove their property is rented for 70 days a year to get small business tax relief.
- What happens to the house after a divorce or split?on January 18, 2022 at 7:15 am
We outline what couples, friends and family buying homes together can do now to prevent pain later on if the relationship doesn’t work out, or one party wants to move on.
- Can we avoid paying extra stamp duty when buying a second home?on January 17, 2022 at 7:00 am
Is there any stamp duty exemption when buying a property that will be your main residence? If not, will we need to sell our current property before we buy the new one?
- How can I get my ex to agree a remortgage?on January 14, 2022 at 7:48 am
The building society says I need my husband’s consent to remortgage and cut my payments, but he refuses to co-operate – which I believe amounts to economic abuse.
- How to get a mortgage approved as a first-time buyeron December 17, 2021 at 7:51 am
Just over a third of those looking to buy their first home today will get a mortgage on the first attempt, according to lender Aldermore.
- Should I invest to build a deposit to buy a home?on December 10, 2021 at 7:54 am
I’d earn practically nothing in interest as it stands and am willing to take a bit of risk to make more money.
- I’m remortgaging but might move, should I fix for two years or five?on December 6, 2021 at 2:15 pm
Should we take the longer fix, or opt for a two or three-year deal? If we do fix for five years, will we be charged a penalty if we move?
- Which banks will lend me a mortgage on my flat near a takeaway?on December 6, 2021 at 1:52 pm
I am trying to buy a flat behind an Indian takeaway, and have been declined for a mortgage by both Santander and Nationwide.
- How to be a ‘power buyer’ in a seller’s property marketon October 19, 2021 at 7:51 am
The recent property boom has seen an emergence of so-called ‘power buyers,’ able to muscle other ‘normal’ buyers out of contention.
- Boost a first-time buyer house deposit… without the Bank of Mum and Dadon October 6, 2021 at 7:58 am
There are a wave of financial products that claim to help first-time buyers get together a house deposit. We explain what is on offer and what they need to know before signing up.
- I pay a big service charge but my flat is badly managed: What do I do?on August 12, 2021 at 6:42 am
The agent is using the pandemic as an excuse for rising costs and delayed repairs. Is there a way to challenge the escalating bill, and can we change our managing agent?
- I’m renting out my old house: What tax will I pay and do I have to tell my mortgage lender?on July 9, 2021 at 6:38 am
My house is proving a good investment, so I am keen to hang on to it and rent it out. Do I need a buy-to-let mortgage, and will I need to pay extra income or capital gains tax?
- Can we move our mortgage to another property or will be incur early repayment charges for doing so?on July 1, 2021 at 6:23 am
I want to move, but am locked in to a five-year fixed mortgage deal. How does porting a mortgage work, will there be fees and does it matter that I am now self-employed?
- Rising property prices mean more will be on the hook for inheritance taxon June 28, 2021 at 9:20 am
Experts are warning that, thanks to this year’s house price rises, more people will now have to pay inheritance tax when they are left a property or other assets by someone who has died.
- With house prices high, should first-time buyers be worried about negative equity? on June 15, 2021 at 8:09 am
Having bought a home at today’s inflated prices, first-time buyers may be left in negative equity when the market cools down. How much of a problem is that, and what can they do to prevent it?
- How to get your house in orderon June 5, 2021 at 6:56 am
Millions struggled to keep on top of household bills and debts when the pandemic forced businesses to shut and pay was slashed.
- How to pay off a mortgage in retirementon June 4, 2021 at 8:00 am
House prices are soaring and mortgage terms are getting longer – so it is little wonder that fewer borrowers expect to have paid off their mortgage by the time they retire.
- Homeowners paying over the odds for home insurance from their mortgage lenderon April 6, 2021 at 8:43 am
A significant number of homeowners could be overpaying for home insurance because they have bought a policy from their mortgage provider instead of shopping around.
- What should I do if I’m struggling with a monthly mortgage payment?on March 30, 2021 at 7:31 am
Currently, 43% of homeowners are worried about making their monthly mortgage payments. We explain what to do if your income drops, and how to remortgage with defaults on your record.
- How do I check an old extension conforms to building regs?on March 30, 2021 at 6:25 am
We just received the homebuyer report on our new period home, which raised concerns about an old loft conversion and extension. How can we ensure it’s safe and what survey do we need?
- The seven everyday habits that could harm your mortgage chanceson March 19, 2021 at 7:33 am
From sports betting to streaming subscriptions, we asked mortgage experts about spending habits that could raise mortgage lenders’ eyebrows – and how much of a risk they pose.
- Home need a revamp? We explain how to fund it with a remortgageon March 1, 2021 at 8:50 am
A third of UK home renovators plan to fund their project with a remortgage, according to a new survey. But how do you go about getting equity out of your home? We explain how it works.
- Have our lodgers left us liable for capital gains tax now we want to sell?on March 1, 2021 at 8:50 am
This couple shared their home with three lodgers to help pay the mortgage. But now they want to sell, they could be landed with a capital gains tax bill. We asked three tax experts to explain the rules
- What survey should you choose when buying a home?on February 27, 2021 at 7:53 am
The last thing you want is to discover your beautiful new home is concealing nightmares behind every nook and cranny. But what type of survey should you choose? We explain the difference between them.
- Would you haggle on a house price? We reveal the do’s and don’ts of negotiatingon February 18, 2021 at 11:30 am
Britons are at risk of paying over the odds on their house purchases, with 30 per cent of homeowners failing to negotiate on their current property. We explain how to do it successfully
- Buying a home with potential to extend? Permitted development and planning permission explainedon February 4, 2021 at 11:08 am
Property listings on the online portals often carry the bullet point, ‘potential to extend subject to planning permission (STPP)’. And estate agents love to talk about ‘potential’.
- How long do offers last, and what if I have bad credit? We answer the most-asked mortgage questionson January 28, 2021 at 10:54 am
Britain’s most commonly asked mortgage questions have been revealed following analysis by Comparethemarket.com. We went to three mortgage experts to find the answers.
- How can I choose an estate agent and how much should I pay?on January 4, 2021 at 1:27 pm
The fees vary a bit, can we negotiate on them and what is the best way to do this? Is there a way to incentivise the agent to get us the best price?