What’s the difference between a product transfer and a remortgage?
If you want to stay on top of your mortgage repayments and ensure you’re getting the right deal for your circumstances then remortgaging is one of the most important financial decisions you can make. But is it best to change to a new mortgage product with your current lender via a product transfer or look […]
Stamp Duty Land Tax not extended for buyers
Stamp Duty relief not extended for buyers – what you need to know before rules change In Labour’s first Budget since taking office, the Chancellor announced her plans to fix the so-called ‘black hole’ in the UK’s public finances and increase investment in public services, setting out £40 billion worth of tax rises. While changes […]
How might rising interest rates affect your mortgage?
The Bank of England has raised interest rates and warned further hikes are likely in the coming months. This will mean bigger bills for some homeowners. On 22 September 2022, the Bank of England raised interest rates from 1.75% to 2.25% – the seventh hike since December 2021 – in a bid to combat soaring […]
What is a Standard Variable Rate Mortgage?
Sarah has never overstretched herself when it comes to money. After paying her monthly bills, she’s always had a bit left over. So, when her mortgage lender wrote to her to remind her that her five-year fixed-rate deal was coming to an end and that she needed to find a new deal or she’d be […]
How to save for a house deposit
Here is our First Time Buyers guide to saving for a deposit When preparing to buy your first home, saving for a deposit can be a difficult process. As house prices, inflation, cost of living and mortgage rates increase, it can mean that some mortgage lenders may require larger deposits of the property value. This […]
How might rising interest rates affect your mortgage?
The Bank of England has raised interest rates which means bigger mortgage bills for some homeowners. Since December 2021 the Bank of England raised interest rates from 0.1% to 1.25% to combat soaring inflation. This move will have a knock-on effect as mortgage lenders raise interest rates in response, which will increase monthly payments for […]
Why homebuyers need to check their credit score
Carly and Steve made serious sacrifices to save a deposit for their first home. To cut costs, they moved from their two-bedroomed flat in the centre of Manchester to a studio flat in one of the less well-regarded suburbs. When the damp and the noisy neighbours got too much, they moved in with Steve’s mum […]
What is a Standard Variable Rate mortgage?
Sarah has never overstretched herself when it comes to money. After paying her monthly bills, she’s always had a bit left over. So, when her mortgage lender wrote to her to remind her that her five-year fixed-rate deal was coming to an end and that she needed to find a new deal or she’d be […]
Could remortgaging help you beat the cost-of-living crisis?
Practically every penny of Mike’s monthly salary is accounted for so, as the cost-of-living crisis starts to bite, he’s worried about making ends meet. He’s started shopping around for cheaper deals on his broadband, mobile-phone contract, and car insurance, and he’s also cancelled his gym membership and a couple of his TV subscriptions. But he’s […]
Spring Clean Your Finances
There’s plenty of advice and ‘life hacks’ on how to make spring-cleaning less of a chore. A quick Google search will throw up hundreds of random tips – like using cola to clean the toilet, lemon to clean the taps and vinegar to clean just about anything! When you’ve finished scrubbing your worktops with baking […]
