New Mortgages - In the News
13 January 2009 - There are 'fewer high loan-to-value mortgages'
Financial services providers have tightened their criteria and in doing so, narrowed down the lending options on offer, resulting in fewer high loan-to-value mortgages available, one sector commentator has claimed.
Sue Anderson, head of member and external relations at the Council of ... More
8 January 2009 - Savings inflow 'not sufficient'
Savings inflow to banks and building societies is holding up but may still not be sufficient to maintain a flow of lending that would lead to a more normal market.
Such is the assertion of Sue Anderson, head of member and external relations at the Council of Mortgage Lenders, who added ... More
7 January 2009 - New mortgage scheme 'will only help a few'
Only a few households in the UK are likely to benefit from the government's new package of mortgage measures - announced as part of last year's pre-Budget report - according to one sector commentator.
Chris Jenkins, co-owner of the Homeowners Advice Centre, said that households where one ... More
29 December 2008 - House prices 'to fall 12 per cent'
Property prices in the UK are likely to fall by 12 per cent, after declining 8.7 per cent during 2008, new research has found.
According to the study by Hometrack, the figures suggest that the market could be edging down following a 0.9 per cent monthly decline in December, in contrast to... More
22 December 2008 - Government 'should incentivise new lending'
Further action is needed from the government to incentivise new lending, one sector commentator has claimed.
A spokesperson for The Council of Mortgage Lenders said that she believed market conditions would be "worse" in 2009.
She added that a major issue was shortage ... More
17 December 2008 - Government attempts private lending boost
The Treasury has taken steps to boost lending from private organisations to the UK's flagging banking sector, it has been reported.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling has also revealed that it will now be cheaper for lenders to receive support from the taxpayer.
The ... More
26 November 2008 - Mortgage market 'approaching normality'
For the last couple of years, the mortgage market in the UK has been almost "too good to be true", according to one sector commentator.
However, Barney McCarthy, editor at YourMortgage.co.uk, said that he believed it may now be approaching normality, particularly as the raising ... More
19 November 2008 - Migration 'will create jobs'
Once the recession is over, migration is likely to create new career opportunities following the recent rise in unemployment figures, one sector commentator has claimed.
A spokesperson from the Local Government Association said that over the last three years a large number of Polish and ... More
12 November 2008 - Homeowners 'in for big shock'
The withdrawal of 23 tracker mortgages in the past week may be "a big shock" for homeowners when it comes to ending their current deal, one sector commentator has claimed.
Al Elliot, advisor at the Homeowners Advice Centre, said lenders were not expecting the Libor to reduce in ... More
6 November 2008 - ECB 'to cut rates'
The European Central Bank (ECB) is likely to slash interest rates by 50 basis points or more today (November 6th), it has been noted.
According to Reuters, the Eurozone is now facing its first ever recession but such action could potentially bolster the economy.
Analysts believe ... More
5 November 2008 - Britons to regain frozen cash
Britons who had their deposits frozen following the collapse of the Icelandic banking sector are set to find out how they will get their money back this week.
According to the Guardian, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme is expected to write to the victims of the incident and ... More
31 October 2008 - Unanimous prediction of rate cuts
A recent poll of economists, financial institutions and business organisations found a unanimous prediction that the Bank of England will make further cuts to the base rate of interest.
Of the 13 respondents surveyed by the news agency Adfero, all of them were in agreement that the Bank's... More
15 October 2008 - Retirement savings being 'de-prioritised'
The ongoing credit crunch and rising levels of inflation could be leading many Britons to de-prioritise saving for their retirement years, one sector commentator has claimed.
According to Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, government figures have revealed that some seven ... More
14 October 2008 - Government takes control of banks
The government will effectively take control over three of the UK's high street banks, it has been noted.
This will see Gordon Brown's party being accountable for the financial services providers to more than 40 million consumers and around half of the mortgage market, the Telegraph ... More
8 October 2008 - Pressure for "big" MPC move
The pressure is mounting for the monetary policy committee (MPC) to make a "big move" when it meets to vote on interest rates tomorrow (October 9th), one sector commentator has claimed.
New Star analyst Simon Ward explained that in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks seven ... More
2 October 2008 - First-time buyers urged to make sacrifices
First-time buyers have been advised by one sector commentator to make sacrifices in order to save for a mortgage.
In news that may be of interest to those seeking a new mortgage, Michael O'Flynn, ... More
1 October 2008 - Smart meters 'help save energy'
Fitting smart meters in the home can allow households to keep track of how much energy they are consuming, according to one sector commentator.
In news that may be of interest to those on the hunt for a More
30 September 2008 - Brits 'should consider hotels'
Although Britons are typically stuck in their ways when it comes to the housing market, they may wish to instead consider having an extended stay in a hotel, one sector commentator has claimed.
In news that may be of interest to those on the hunt for a More
26 September 2008 - Renovations in the bathroom
People are keener to add value to their property by renovating their bathroom or kitchen than making changes to the outside of the building, one sector commentator has claimed.
In news that may be of interest to those on the hunt for a More
25 September 2008 - Property goes under the hammer
Buying a new property through a specialised auction could allow people to benefit from a degree of transparency as to what they are paying, one sector commentator has advised.
In news that may be of interest to those seeking a More
24 September 2008 - 'Long way to go' for the property market
The UK property market still has a long way to go before it will show signs of improvement, one sector commentator has claimed.
However, in news that may be of interest to those on the hunt for a new ... More
23 September 2008 - Property 'a purchase, not an investment'
Britons have been advised to keep in mind that domestic or overseas property buying is a purchase rather than simply an investment.
In news that may be of interest to those seeking a new mortgage, ... More
22 September 2008 - 'Best time ever' to buy property
Investors with money in the bank may find that now is the best time ever witnessed in the last 20 to 30 years to buy a property, one sector commentator has claimed.
In news that may be of interest to those seeking a More
19 September 2008 - New mortgage figures show thirst for variable rates
New mortgage statistics from Legal & General indicate growing demand for variable interest rates among borrowers in the UK.
According to the financial services provider, the third quarter of ... More
18 September 2008 - Draught proofing 'cuts bills'
Draught proofing a property could result in homeowners saving up to £25 a year on their energy bills, thereby reducing outgoings, one sector commentator has claimed.
In news that may be of interest to those on the hunt for a More
17 September 2008 - 'It would be a shame' to remove Hips
To remove home information packs (Hips) would be "a shame" when looked at from the perspective of first-time buyers, it has been claimed.
In news that may be of interest to those seeking a More
16 September 2008 - Experts offer up a taste of France
People interested in investing in a foreign property have been told that many Britons come to France for a new lifestyle.
In news that may be of interest to those seeking a new mortgage, a number ... More
15 September 2008 - Waiting for the 'bottom to fall out'
Buy-to-let investors are likely to wait for the economy to hit its lowest level before they start buying high-end property again, one sector commentator has speculated.
In news that may be of interest to those seeking a More
12 September 2008 - High-end property 'an unlikely find'
Britons are "extremely unlikely" to be putting any high-end property up for sale on the current market, it has been asserted.
In news that may be of interest to those seeking a new ... More
11 September 2008 - "A lot of competition" for unblemished property
There is currently a great amount of competition among buyers to purchase an unblemished high-end property in "near perfect" locations, it has been asserted.
In news that may be of interest to those on the hunt for a More
10 September 2008 - Interior design "key" in competition
Increased competition between estate agents has had a positive effect on the interior design market, it has been asserted.
People on the hunt for a new mortgage may be interested to note that Nina ... More
9 September 2008 - Kitchen and bathroom "real marketing tools"
The kitchen and bathroom can both serve as particular marketing tools within a house, one sector commentator has suggested.
In news that may be of interest to people seeking a new mortgage, Andrew ... More
8 September 2008 - Tenants 'want more' than white emulsion
The best tenants are looking for more from their potential home than white emulsion and a basic beige carpet, landlords and property developers have been advised.
In news that may be of interest to those on the hunt for a More
4 September 2008 - Britons "more eco-aware"
The British public as a whole are not far more eco-aware than they were five years ago, it has been asserted.
In news that may be of interest to those on the hunt for a new mortgage, Isobel ... More
3 September 2008 - New housing measures 'not for first-time buyers'
New housing measures implemented by the government have been designed to help developers with excess properties and investors looking to make a good return rather than first-time buyers, it has been claimed.
In news that may interest those on the lookout for a More
2 September 2008 - Stamp duty holiday announced
The prime minister has announced that there will be a stamp duty holiday, in an attempt to revive the ailing property market.
In news that may be of interest to those on the lookout for a new ... More
1 September 2008 - Britons in the green house
The UK housing market is set to see an increase in the number of green homes available, it has been claimed.
In news that may be of interest to those on the hunt for a new mortgage, Julian Brooks, ... More
29 August 2008 - Save the planet or save the wallet?
The public are still more concerned about saving money than they are about preserving the planet, it has been claimed.
In news that may be of interest to new mortgage customers, rising fuel prices ... More
28 August 2008 - Women 'not shaken' by property decline
Women in the UK have proven to be less shaken by falling house prices than their male counterparts, new research has suggested.
In news that may be of interest to people looking for a new mortgage,... More
28 August 2008 - Property valuations 'reflect any market softening'
Valuations on UK property reflect a softening of the market, but equity releases still remain viable, it has been claimed.
In news that may be of interest to people seeking a new mortgage, Keith ... More
27 August 2008 - Choose a home, not a "sexy investment"
Buyers have been advised that they should see a new property as a home rather than a "sexy investment" as buy-to-let accommodation was a "passing phase".
This is the opinion of Paul Holmes, chief executive officer of Firstrung, who added that the phenomena only really ... More
22 August 2008 - Credit crunch 'still not normalised'
A year on from the start of the credit crunch, global financial institutions have yet to "normalise", it has been claimed.
In news that may be of interest to those seeking a new mortgage,... More
21 August 2008 - Housing market 'should be left alone'
The housing market should be left to realign itself without interference from the government, it has been noted.
Although there have rumblings from the government that changes could be made to the sector in order to help improve affordability, such actions are not needed, Paul Holmes, the... More
20 August 2008 - 'Don't feel helpless' during the crunch
Britons have been advised not to feel helpless as fuel and food costs rise during the credit crunch.
In news that may be of interest to those seeking a new mortgage, a spokesperson for Friend of ... More
19 August 2008 - Housing market "severely constrained"
The housing market in the UK is being "severely constrained" by the lack of mortgage finance, one sector commentator has claimed.
In news that may be of interest to people seeking a new ... More
18 August 2008 - Prime commercial property "will always be in demand"
Despite the current problems being witnessed in the UK property market, prime commercial buildings will "always be in demand", it has been asserted.
However, in news that may be of interest to those seeking a More
15 August 2008 - Time for an upgrade?
People are investing more in the long-term by turning to property renovations during the credit crunch, it has been asserted.
In news that may be of interest to those seeking a new mortgage, many ... More
14 August 2008 - Brits can't stand the heat
Despite being the middle of summer, many Britons are already starting to worry about how they can afford to heat their homes this winter, it has been claimed.
A poll by Moneysupermarket.com found that a third were concerned about where such funding would come from.
In news that ... More
13 August 2008 - New property valuation rules 'may make things harder'
New rules connected to the valuation of property may make things harder for first-time buyers, it has been suggested.
In news that may be of interest to people looking for a new mortgage, Helen ... More
12 August 2008 - Caution urged over DIY craze
People seeking a new mortgage may be interested to know that televised do-it-yourself programmes have been cited as an inspiration to many British enthusiasts.
Confused.com has revealed that eight ... More
11 August 2008 - Scotland and London still "strong property markets"
People seeking a new mortgage may be interested to hear that Scotland, the south-east and London have been named as the strongest markets to invest in by a sector commentator.
Liam Bailey, ... More
8 August 2008 - Halifax: Low mortgage rates support housing market
The average mortgage rate borrowers are paying has dropped over the last six months and this is supporting the housing market, it is claimed.
Halifax makes the assertion in its July housing index, noting that despite the average rate paid by new borrowers going up, the average rate ... More
8 August 2008 - 'Overwhelming majority' of borrowers pay mortgages in full
The majority of homeowners are successfully continuing to pay their mortgages despite the economic uncertainty, it is claimed.
According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the current repossession rate is still less than half that of the early 1990s and is "extremely small" ... More
8 August 2008 - Mortgage market has 'changed beyond recognition'
A national newspaper today described the British new mortgage market as having "changed beyond recognition" after analysing the difference in borrowing rates over the last 12 months.
The ... More
7 August 2008 - A 'sting in the tail' for new mortgages
Although there has been some lowering in the interest rates on new mortgage deals, this has come with "a sting in the tale", according to Moneyfacts.
The advice service has found that ... More
7 August 2008 - Interest rates remain at 5%
The decision by the Bank of England to leave interest rates at five per cent has attracted a wide variety of comments from a number of leading businesses in the property and housing sector.
The Fair Investment Company stated that it viewed the action by the Bank with "no ... More
7 August 2008 - Stamp duty holiday 'good' in face of no rate change
The news of the government considering a stamp duty holiday will provide optimism for new mortgage buyers, after it was announced today that interest rates would be held at five per cent by the Bank of ... More
6 August 2008 - Abbey: demand for tracker mortgages growing
Fixed-rate mortgages are still accounting for more than half of new mortgage deals yet tracker mortgages are growing in popularity, the Abbey has revealed today.
In a statement aimed at ... More
6 August 2008 - Lib Dems: Govt 'bribing' buyers in failing market
Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable of the Liberal Democrats today labelled the proposal by the government to suspend stamp duty temporarily as "bribery", it has emerged today.
The decision, aimed at helping first-time buyers (FTBs) with new mortgages, was criticised by the opposition... More
5 August 2008 - AMI supports FSA statement
The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) has supported the Financial Services Authority's call to lenders to treat customers fairly in the fragile financial arena, agreeing that repossession is nothing but a "last resort".
Policy director at the AMI, Andrew Strange, ... More
5 August 2008 - NAEA: Reduction in interest rates is vital
An estate agency representative body has called for the Bank of England to reduce or, in the least, maintain interest rates in the current environment to benefit the housing and new mortgage market, it has ... More
5 August 2008 - Current economy 'demands fair customer treatment'
Current economy 'demands fair customer treatment'
A national regulator today asked new mortgage lenders to be fair to their customers who were finding difficulty in meeting payments and More
4 August 2008 - One fifth of NR customers face negative equity
Negative equity faces up to 20 per cent of Northern Rock customers after it emerged that the "dire forecast" for house prices could plunge customers of the nationalised lender into mortgage debt.
The Daily Mail noted that the average housing price, according to the Financial ... More
4 August 2008 - Homeowners encouraged to get "green mortgage"
Homeowners have been encouraged to get a "green mortgage" after a report revealed the benefits of energy-saving measures on the potential price of one's house payments, the Fair Investment Company reported today.
The survey taken by British Gas and the Institute for Public ... More
4 August 2008 - Fixed-rate mortgages 'peaked in June'
Bank rate cuts and relaxed criteria are starting to make it easier for prospective homeowners to get hold of mortgages, bringing rates down from a peak in June, it has emerged.
HSBC is the most ... More
1 August 2008 - Mortgage decline 'will slow'
Brokers said today that mortgage volumes will continue to decline, albeit at a slower rate, over the next 12 months, ifaonline.co.uk has reported.
The financial website said that a survey by the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA) interviewed brokers, who mostly believed that... More
31 July 2008 - Lloyds TSB profits down by 70%
Lloyds TSB has announced that pre-tax profits have fallen by 70 per cent in the first half of the year and blames the problems of financial markets and the global economic slowdown for their losses, it has emerged.
Britain's fifth largest bank took a £585 million blow after ... More
31 July 2008 - Nationwide: House prices continue to tumble
Recent research has found that housing purchase activity has reached a "new low", according to Nationwide, with new mortgages following suit.
The building society detected an average ... More
30 July 2008 - Fixed-rate fall gives 'stable outlook'
People looking for new mortgages have been given a "faint glimmer of hope" by the continued fall in fixed-rate deals as lenders have started to pass on the cuts to borrowers, a financial ... More
30 July 2008 - Urgent action in mortgage market 'must be taken'
The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has urged the government to ease the difficulties in the marketplace for people attempting to get new mortgages, after its report identified the ... More
30 July 2008 - Abbey is example of 2008's "movers and shakers"
The passing of Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) by Abbey in the mortgage market has been labelled as another example of "movers and shakers" in 2008, according to an online comparison website.
A statement from moneysupermarket.com has commented on the recent development in the ... More
29 July 2008 - Mortgage loans 'hit record low'
The 'DN15902' start tag on line 7 does not match the end tag of 'DN15904'. Line 7, position 55.
More
29 July 2008 - HBF: Urgent action needed with mortgages
A major homebuilders representative body today registered its disappointment with Sir James Crosby's interim report by demanding urgent action to be taken to free up new mortgage finance ... More
29 July 2008 - Property ladder may stay 'a rung too high'
The rising cost of living and a lack of available new mortgages has led many people to abandon the notion of owning a house, according to research by a price comparison ... More
28 July 2008 - Borrowers and lenders turn to long-term mortgage deals
The amount of fixed-rate new mortgages available for over ten-year periods has almost doubled in the past year due to concerns over the credit crunch, research from a comparison website has ... More
25 July 2008 - Halifax rate reduction could help property market
Britain's largest mortgage lender Halifax has announced another reduction to a selection of several of its mortgage products, becoming the most recent bank to join in with what the BBC today described as a "recent flurry of rate cuts by other lenders".
Halifax announced that its... More
24 July 2008 - Jersey first-time buyers hit hard
First-time buyers (FTBs) from the island of Jersey will have a more difficult task in getting a mortgage after one of the island's biggest lenders cut the level of loan it offers, the BBC has reported.
Jersey Home Loans today cut its maximum mortgage from 90 to 75 per cent, forcing FTBs ... More
24 July 2008 - Mortgages approvals hit record low
The Bank of England has revealed that four out of ten house hunters were pulling out of sales after failing to get a mortgage or losing their faith in the market.
Updated figures suggest that the credit crisis continues to affect the property market, with the Bank adding that it was ... More
24 July 2008 - NAEA: Govt need to take action now
The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) today asked the government to take action to help first-time buyers (FTBs) get onto the housing ladder and, as a result, ease the problems on the property market.
In a statement, the NAEA urged the government not to reflect moves made by ... More
23 July 2008 - Two-year tracker mortgage 'becoming better value'
Homeowners are being urged to look at all available options when applying for a new mortgage as new research has suggested that the average two-year tracker is becoming a better value option.
The study conducted by moneysupermarket.com found that the gap between the average two-year ... More
22 July 2008 - FSA announces mortgage fraud approach
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) today announced the measures it will take to prevent mortgage fraud in the UK after highlighting the growing problem.
The FSA's approach showed that it hoped to prevent fraud happening before it started and is based around constant ... More
22 July 2008 - CML: Mortgage fraudsters beware
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) today released a stark warning to those engaged in mortgage fraud.
After CML efforts to tackle mortgage fraud were recognised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), which agreed with the council's proposition for lenders and the regulator to work ... More
22 July 2008 - NAEA: Hope for first-time buyers
Although consumers remain unsure of the market, figures have suggested a rise in house-viewing numbers before secured sales of property which show that first-time buyers (FTBs) have regained some confidence.
The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) has indicated that the FTB ... More
21 July 2008 - Moneyfacts: Swap rates decline has helped consumers
The average two-year fixed-rate mortgage has returned to below seven per cent, a financial information website revealed today.
Research from Moneyfacts found that only ten days after the average two-year deal peaked at 7.08 per cent - its highest rate in over a decade - swap rates have ... More
17 July 2008 - CCCS: People must be prepared to budget
People must be "prepared to budget" if they want to keep up with repayments on their mortgage, an advice charity has said.
The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) commented that the current economic climate is affecting people's ability to pay loans, this year culminating... More
16 July 2008 - US problems will 'only indirectly affect' UK mortgage market
The problems encountered by American mortgage companies Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae will only have an "indirect effect" on the UK mortgage market, a financial advice site has revealed.
Although western economies are facing a recession, Your Mortgage believes that the British ... More
15 July 2008 - CML suggests new approach for Treasury
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has suggested a way for the Treasury to address the funding problems in the mortgage market.
In its plan the CML recommends that the Bank of England offers a repo facility for secured lending as well as organising the sale of residential ... More
15 July 2008 - Santander move 'should provide mortgage market stability'
Yesterday's move by Santander to buy out British lender Alliance & Leicester (A&L) is helpful to the British housing economy, said a professional mortgage intermediary today.
The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) believes that although the consolidation of the market ... More
14 July 2008 - Recession 'good for first-time buyers'
The threat of recession could be a good opportunity for people to get on the property ladder, a finance advice website has said.
Fool.co.uk made the comment after recent statistics from the British Chambers of Commerce, which last week outlined a serious risk of nationwide negative growth... More
11 July 2008 - Govt 'should reform stamp duty'
The Government has been asked to reform stamp duty to alleviate pressures on first-time buyers (FTBs) after the release of a report.
Halifax's house price index has prompted the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) to speak out over the amount of money FTBs require to pay out to ... More
11 July 2008 - Mortgage lenders 'put pressure on Bank of England'
High street banks and mortgage lenders will lobby together against the Bank of England to develop the Special Liquidity Scheme (SLS) that the institution launched in April.
Chief executives from several banks hope that an extension of terms to the SLS will provide the banks with more ... More
10 July 2008 - Interest rate hold 'will not help first-time buyers'
The decision to maintain the five per cent interest rate will not help first-time buyers, an online conveyancing firm has said.
Convex.net noted that the vote by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to hold the rate will not help those attempting to get their foot on the property ladder ... More
10 July 2008 - Long-term fixed mortgages 'soar'
Borrowers and lenders are seeking security in their mortgage deals to achieve stability, research suggests.
A survey by Spicerhaart Financial Services found consumers were securing long-term fixed-rate deals while providers were offering comparably lower rates for mortgages over five-year... More
10 July 2008 - Calls for Bank of England to keep interest rates down
Two major organisations have called upon the Bank of England to keep base rates low in the face of "significant pressures" on the wider economy.
The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) said that with mortgage rates getting tighter and lending becoming more difficult, ... More
10 July 2008 - Low-income home owning an 'impossibility'
The chance for low income couples to become home owners has been described as "almost impossible" by a property regulatory body.
After research from its monthly accessibility index, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) found that a first-time buyer couple earning ... More
9 July 2008 - One fifth are 'worried about meeting mortgage payments'
Stricter regulation of sell and rent back property schemes is being demanded by an independent finance website.
The decision by Fool.co.uk comes after its research led it to discover that 20 per cent of homeowners worry that they may not be able to pay their mortgages over the next year, ... More
8 July 2008 - Fixed-rate mortgages 'still popular'
Medium-term fixed-rate mortgages are the biggest choice for consumers despite borrowing and interest rates hitting a 10 year high, say an online finance portal.
Research by Fairinvestment.co.uk found that 25 per cent of those questioned said that, regardless of a two-year deal hitting a ... More
8 July 2008 - Mortgage rates 'continuing to rise'
Mortgage deals are costing more even though signs are pointing to the opposite, says a leading financial information service.
Moneyfacts.co.uk notes that as it is now three weeks since the peak in swap rates between banks and building societies, fixed rates would usually be expected to ... More
7 July 2008 - Thousands could 'face negative equity'
One in eight homeowners who took out a mortgage since the beginning of the year is in negative equity, a recent study shows.
In a report undertaken for the Daily Telegraph, research group CACI has analysed that of the 1.2 million people who have bought a home since January 2007, up to ... More
7 July 2008 - Shrink in mortgage market 'to continue'
Availability of mortgage products may continue to fall, according to an economic expert.
Melanie Bien of Savills Private Finance, speaking to BBC Radio 4's Moneybox, said that anyone without a "very keen credit history" would find the search for mortgage deals more ... More
3 July 2008 - First-time buyers to benefit from house market correction
First-time buyers will be the "major beneficiaries" of a correction in the housing market, according to one property expert.
According to Firstrung, a financial solutions company, the housing market is expected to correct itself within three years by 35 per cent meaning it ... More
2 July 2008 - Economy is to continue to slow
The economy in the UK is expected to continue to slow during the next two years, according to new research.
Findings from a study by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), said that it is due to grow by 1.7 per cent in 2008 and 1.3 per cent in 2009.
This year is... More
1 July 2008 - Fixed-rate mortgage deals come to an end
Up to £30 billion worth of cheap fixed-rate mortgage deals are coming to an end this month with more than half of these mortgage holders yet to look for a new deal, according to new research.
Findings from financial comparison website moneysupermarket.com showed that one in six have... More
30 June 2008 - House price fall must "be kept in perspective"
The current fall in house prices "must be kept in perspective", one housing expert has claimed.
Findings in a study by the Building Society Association (BSA) showed that nearly three-quarters of respondents said that prices would fall over the course of the next year, with the ... More
27 June 2008 - Renters to be better off than homeowners
The amount of money spent on commodities and services is less for renters than it is for those who have to make mortgage payments every month, one financial expert has claimed.
MoneyExpert said that while the average tenant spends £133.90 per person each week on bills, electricity, ... More
27 June 2008 - Up to 3.25m looking to move
Over three million people are looking to move house despite worries over the future of the housing market, new research shows.
Findings from a study by Alliance & Leicester revealed that a large number of these homeowners are looking to More
26 June 2008 - Landlords must "know their market"
Landlords must know their market when looking to let their property, according to one property expert.
The National Landlords Association said that a landlord letting property in London to young professionals could make it more attractive by providing a broadband connection or putting a ... More
25 June 2008 - PPI comparison service launched by the FSA
A new service to compare the various payment protection insurance (PPI) schemes available for consumers has been launched by the Financial Services Authority (FSA)
PPI is a policy taken out by a consumer, who has opted for an More
23 June 2008 - Still a good time to buy property?
More than a quarter of consumers have said that now is a good time to buy property in a new study, despite the widely-reported financial turmoil brought on by the credit crunch.
Findings from a study by the Building Societies Association (BSA) said that while over half of respondents ... More
20 June 2008 - Lending fell again during May
The amount of gross lending fell by two per cent during May to £25.5 billion, according to new findings.
Research from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) showed that this figure was down by 19 per cent from the £31.5 billion recorded in May 2007.
Michael Coogan, ... More
17 June 2008 - Lowest levels of home building since the second world war
The number of homes to be built during 2008 is expected to drop to its lowest level since 1945, new figures claim.
A market prediction by the Construction Products Association (CPA) shows that 147,000 house starts are expected to take place this year.
This is a 27 per cent fall... More
17 June 2008 - Cost of a fixed-rate mortgage has reached a ten-year peak
The price of a fixed-rate mortgage has reached the highest level for ten years, one finance expert has claimed.
Findings from MoneyFacts revealed that interest for an average two-year fixed-rate mortgage deal is now at 6.75 per cent.
The average price for a five-year mortgage ... More
16 June 2008 - Homeowners adopting 'DIY' approach to moving house
Homeowners looking to move house are adopting a 'DIY' approach in a bid to save themselves money, one financial expert has claimed.
New research from Lloyds TSB revealed that over half of those surveyed said they undertake the removal process themselves to save money.
Up to ten... More
16 June 2008 - Recovery of property market may take years, says expert
House prices may take up to four years to reach the same peak as seen during 2007, according to one finance expert.
Findings from a study undertaken by the Society of Business Economists (SBE) showed that two-thirds of its members thought it would take until 2012 for the market to reach ... More
13 June 2008 - Housing market value has fallen by £300bn
The value of the housing market in the UK has fallen by £300 billion since September last year, according to new research.
Findings from a study by Zoopla, a property valuation website, showed that the total combined value of residential property in the UK is over £5.8 ... More
12 June 2008 - First-time buyers' deposit reaches three year high in April
The effects of the ongoing economic volatility have impacted on the housing market with first-time buyers' average deposit being the highest for three years, according to new figures.
Findings from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) showed that the average buyer looking to get a foot ... More
12 June 2008 - Price of fixed-rate mortgage deals go up
The number of fixed-rate mortgage deals with high prices has grown by over a thousand per cent, according to new research.
Findings from MoneyExpert showed that in September 2006 – before the credit crunch and the accompanying economic uncertainty – 22 fixed mortgage deals were... More
11 June 2008 - Up to 2m people planning to move to capitalise on falling prices
An estimated two million people are planning on moving house in a bid to take advantage of falling house prices, according to new research.
Findings from a study by Abbey showed that 1.2 million homeowners are hoping to move up to a bigger house within a year in an attempt to find a ... More
10 June 2008 - 'Property market may pick up again'
The property market will pick up again "if not to what it was six months ago", one housing expert has claimed.
Bestinvest said that lenders will become more confident once the liquidity has moved back into the market and top rates return towards where the base interest rate ... More
10 June 2008 - Mortgage lenders 'killing' the housing market
Increasing restrictions from lenders on their home loan deals are "pushing out" first-time buyers from the housing market, one property expert has claimed.
Moneyextra.com said that lenders are to blame for this situation rather than the Bank of England for keeping the base ... More
10 June 2008 - Interest rates on cards rise
Consumers whose zero per cent balance transfer deals on credit cards have expired are facing increased interest rates, one financial adviser has claimed.
Research from MoneyExpert shows that the average APR has increased from 15.4 per cent in January to the current rate of 16.1 per cent.... More
10 June 2008 - People more likely to emigrate ''when times get tough''
Increasing numbers of consumers in the UK look to emigrate when times are economically tough, one property expert has claimed.
Buy Association said that the number has grown during the past 20 years but during the last five this figure has grown a lot steeper.
Paul Collins, ... More
6 June 2008 - House prices in London are falling
London house prices have dropped by their fastest rate since the 1990s, according to new research.
Findings from the Knight Frank Prime Central London Index showed that the price of property in the capital has fallen by 1.5 per cent during last month.
The annual rate of growth ... More
5 June 2008 - House prices fell by 2.4% in May
House prices fell by 2.4 per cent during May following a drop of 1.3 per cent during the month before, according to new research.
Findings from the latest Halifax House Price Index reveal that the house prices for 2008 are currently down by 3.8 per cent compared with this time last year.... More
5 June 2008 - Government 'needs to ease property difficulty'
The chancellor and the prime minister need to consider more options to ease the pressure on the housing market, one property expert has claimed.
According to the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), the government should look at abolishing stamp duty for first time buyers and ... More
5 June 2008 - Housing situation worse than before credit crunch
Although the number of repossessions will remain low, the housing situation is worse than it was before the credit crunch, one property expert has said.
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said that the shortage and cost of mortgage funding will mean borrowers coming to the end of ... More
4 June 2008 - Young buyers priced out of housing market
More than a quarter of young buyers have been priced out of the property market due to the economic effects of the credit crunch, according to new research.
Findings from a study by Hometrack showed that 28 per cent of potential homeowners cannot afford even the cheapest property in ... More
4 June 2008 - Bank of England ''certain'' to keep interest rates the same
The Bank of England (BoE) is very likely to keep interest rates the same this week, according to one financial expert.
Howard Archer, chief European and UK economist for Global Insight, said that the BoE "seems certain" to keep rates at five per cent.
"With ... More
4 June 2008 - Scottish borrowers fare better in the credit crunch
The shortage of funding is continuing to restrict mortgage availability across the UK although Scotland is faring better than the UK, according to new research.
Findings from the Council of Mortgage Lenders revealed that the number of approved loans for mortgages in Scotland was down to ... More
3 June 2008 - Drop in mortgage approvals ''a wake-up call''
The latest drop in the number of mortgage approvals is "a wake-up call" for those homeowners looking to put their property on the housing market this year, one financial expert has claimed.
Fool.co.uk said that the latest figures on mortgage approvals from the Bank of England ... More
3 June 2008 - Equity release market remains strong
The equity release market has not been affected in the same way that the traditional mortgage market has by the credit crunch, according to one property expert.
Saga, a financial advisor, said that this is a long-term product and should not be affected by short-term instability in the ... More
2 June 2008 - Lenders continuing to ''tighten up'' on borrowing conditions
The latest figures on the number of mortgage approvals for the past month emphasise the difficulties being faced by those looking to put a foot on the property ladder, one property expert has claimed.
New figures from the Bank of England (BoE) showed that the amount of mortgage approvals... More
2 June 2008 - Homeowners feel trapped in homes due to financial situation
Up to a quarter of homeowners feel they are trapped in their homes because of their financial situations, according to new research.
Findings from a study by Gocompare.com revealed that many consumers have abandoned plans to move house or make any changes to their homes in the wake of ... More
2 June 2008 - Affordability could continue to be a housing problem
If the shortfall in new housing is not made up then the affordability problem could "continue and potentially get worse", one property expert has claimed.
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) said that the long-term repercussions will be that there will be an imbalance between ... More
30 May 2008 - Homeowners urged to take action as house prices fall
With house prices falling homeowners have been urged to take action to avoid an unhealthy Loan-To-Value (LTV) ratio by making small overpayments on their mortgages.
Fool.co.uk warns that if a homeowner is borrowing more than 90 per cent of a value of a property, then when their current ... More
30 May 2008 - Sale and rent back needs regulating
The sale and rent back area of the property market "desperately needs" regulating, one property expert has claimed.
According to the Homeowners Advice Centre, this trend - which involves homeowners selling their property at a discount in return for the option to remain in the ... More
29 May 2008 - House prices fall again in May
House prices have dropped for the seventh consecutive month, the longest run of negative results recorded since 1992, new research shows.
Findings from Nationwide's house price survey reveal that the cost of property fell by 2.5 per cent during May, a figure which represents the biggest... More
29 May 2008 - Housing market driven by credit
House prices have been driven by credit and not by supply and demand, one property expert has claimed.
Firstrung said that now this credit has gone the market is underpinned by affordability yet wages have only increased in line with inflation.
Paul Holmes, chief executive ... More
28 May 2008 - Up to £7bn of loans at risk of default
An estimated £7 billion worth of loans are at risk of being defaulted on unless lenders agree to modify the terms and conditions, new research has revealed.
Findings from a study by ratings agency Standard & Poor's showed that nearly 22 per cent of subprime mortgage customers ... More
28 May 2008 - New government scheme launched to help first-time buyers
Details of a new government scheme have been announced that are expected to help first-time buyers get a foot on the property ladder.
The MyChoiceHomeBuy scheme, which is part-funded by the government, offers the contribution of up as much as 50 per cent or as little as 15 per cent of ... More
28 May 2008 - First-time buyers more likely to go for a 'period home'
First-time buyers are more likely to go for a 'period home' despite the security of a National House Building Council guarantee, one housing market expert has claimed.
Over half of those homebuyers questioned by the Halifax in a new survey said they would be prepared to buy an older ... More
27 May 2008 - Property market is stable despite credit crunch, say experts
The housing market is still stable despite the adversity it faces brought on by the credit crunch, one property expert has claimed.
According to research from the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), members have reported that they sold an average of seven homes each last month,... More
27 May 2008 - Credit crunch has halted housing market
The credit crunch has resulted in the housing market slowing down as potential homeowners have found it increasingly difficult to get a mortgage, one property expert has claimed.
According to the Federation of Master Builders, developers have been forced to cancel projects as demand has ... More
27 May 2008 - Property situation is as bad as its ever been
The property situation for first-time buyers is as bad as it has ever been, one housing expert has claimed.
Firstrung said that the housing market has to change as that is the only way it can become affordable again for consumers looking to get a foot on the property ladder. ... More
23 May 2008 - Weddings financed by loans
Up to ten per cent of consumers said they would take out a loan to finance their wedding, according to the results of a new survey.
Findings from Fool.co.uk showed that a further three per cent of respondents said they would remortgage or take out a second loan in order to pay for their ... More
22 May 2008 - Citi pulling out of mortgage market may have ''severe implications''
The Citigroup's decision to remove itself from the UK mortgage market may have severe implications for consumers, according to one financial expert.
Moneysupermarket.com said the decision will affect those needing to borrow but have less-than-perfect credit records.
A ... More
22 May 2008 - Bank of England keeps interest rates the same
The Bank of England's (BoE's) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted almost unanimously to maintain the key base rate of interest this month.
Only one member of the MPC voted for cutting interest by 0.25 per cent while the other eight said that rates would be best being kept at the ... More
22 May 2008 - Many savers are not getting the best return on their money
Many savers are not getting the best return on their money as it has been put into an account with a low interest rate, according to one financial expert.
Although there are some good rates available the vast number of products on the market means that some consumers miss out on the more... More
21 May 2008 - Number of property deals falling
The number of property deals is expected to fall by 35 per cent during 2007, according to new research.
Findings from a study by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) showed that house prices are expected to be seven per cent lower at the end of 2008 than they were at the close of 2007. ... More
21 May 2008 - Demand for five-year mortgage increasing
Consumer demand for the five-year mortgage products is increasing, according to new research.
Findings from a study by Abbey showed that up to 30 per cent of mortgage holders said they would opt for a five-year deal if they had to remortgage tomorrow.
Demand for the product has... More
19 May 2008 - House sales reach lowest level since 1974
Property sales in the UK are expected to fall to their lowest level since 1974, according to new research.
Findings from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors showed that the number of homes expected to change hands during 2008 will be down by 40 per cent.
Speaking to This... More
19 May 2008 - Endowment not enough to assist consumers
Many mortgage holders who took out endowment policies may not be able to pay off their loans, according to one investment adviser.
Findings from Fairinvestment.co.uk showed that up to 86 per cent of policy holders have been advised that their endowment will not be enough to pay off their... More
19 May 2008 - More of the middle-class seek advice on debt
Increasing numbers of the supposedly affluent middle-classes are being forced to seek advice on debt, according to a new survey.
Findings from a study by Transact, the financial advice charity, showed that middle-class areas had the biggest increases in the number of consumers seeking ... More
16 May 2008 - 'It is still possible to buy property in the current market'
It is still possible for consumers to purchase buy-to-let property despite the market volatility, one expert has said.
Speaking at a debate on the future of the housing market, Jonty Crossick, chief executive officer of Ready2invest, said that those looking to buy need to stick to the ... More
16 May 2008 - Elderly struggling with debt
Up to one in two elderly consumers who are struggling to pay living costs are being forced to reduce their spending, according to new research.
Research from Engage Mutual Assurance showed that up to ten per cent of those retirees struggling with costs have put themselves further into ... More
16 May 2008 - More help for those in mortgage arrears is needed, says charity
A charity has called for the government to do more to help homeowners struggling with making their mortgage payments.
Figures from the National Debtline show that the number of homeowners turning for help with their mortgage arrears has increased by 35 per cent during the past two years.... More
15 May 2008 - First-time buyers turn to intermediaries
Increasing numbers of first-time buyers are turning to intermediaries to help them get their feet on the first rung of the property ladder, according to new research.
Figures from a study by the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) revealed that number of potential property ... More
15 May 2008 - Negative equity to affect all recent home buyers
Negative equity will affect all those homeowners who bought property during the last couple of years, according to one property expert.
Firstrung said that the extent of the effect of negative equity can differ from person to person depending on their circumstances.
Paul ... More
15 May 2008 - Lenders unlikely to offer perks to attract customers
Lenders are not likely to offer potential customers incentives in the current climate where the number of mortgage products on offer is reducing, one housing expert has claimed.
Moneyfacts said that six or seven months ago the market was very competitive with banks competing with each ... More
14 May 2008 - House prices to fall between at least five and ten per cent
House prices are expected to fall by as much as five or ten per cent "at best" during 2008, according to a government minister's notes.
Caroline Flint, housing minister, unknowingly exposed her notes intended for a cabinet briefing to a photographer while she was walking to the... More
14 May 2008 - 'Now is a good time to get into property', says experts
The current housing market is a "good time" to buy a property particularly if it is for a long-term investment, according to one housing expert.
Prices are falling in the market at the minute said the property investors network and because of this you can find ... More
13 May 2008 - Number of approved loans dropped during April
The number of approved loans for housing purchase has fallen again during March, according to new figures.
Findings from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) showed that the number of mortgage approvals was down by one per cent to 46,500 from the 47,200 recorded in February. ... More
13 May 2008 - Housing market decline continues
The number of surveyors reporting falls in house prices has increased for the ninth consecutive month, according to new figures.
Findings from the Royal Chartered Institution of Surveyors (Rics) revealed that 95.1 per cent more surveyors saw property prices drop than go up. ... More
13 May 2008 - Prime market ''considerably'' more stable than domestic market
The prime housing market is considerably more stable than the mainstream domestic property market, one expert has claimed.
London Central Portfolio said that prime properties are held by long-term investors either as second homes or rental investments and are united by a low reliance on ... More
12 May 2008 - Increasing numbers of Brits want house prices to fall
Increasing numbers of homeowners in Britain would like to see house prices fall, according to the results of a new survey.
Findings from a study commissioned by the BBC revealed that up to 28 per cent of Britons questioned said they would like to see house prices come down.
Up ... More
9 May 2008 - Interest rate hold ''disappointing'' for property industry
The Bank of England's (BoE's) decision to keep interest rates the same is "disappointing news" for the property industry, one expert has claimed.
Convex.net said that yesterday's move from the BoE's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to not cut interest rates for the fourth time ... More
8 May 2008 - 'Mortgage costs to remain high for two years'
Mortgage payments are expected to remain high for the next two years due to the effects of the credit crunch, according to one financial expert.
Iain Cornish, chairman of the Building Society Association (BSA), stated that the credit crunch has led to the tightening of lenders' belts in... More
8 May 2008 - Interest rates to remain the same
The Bank of England (BoE) is expected to keep interest rates the same despite increasing economic pressures, according to analysts.
However, findings from a series of studies released this week have indicated that consumer confidence in the UK has dropped further and house prices are ... More
7 May 2008 - Housing market worst hit by credit crunch
The housing market has been the worst hit area of the economy by the credit crunch, one financial expert has claimed.
Fairinvestment.co.uk said that lenders have been forced to pull their best deals and mortgage structures have been changed to include fees and bigger deposits. ... More
6 May 2008 - 'Equity release schemes still an option'
Equity release schemes are still an option for those looking to release value from their property despite falling house prices, one property association warned.
According to Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP), equity release is safe to use as it is a long-term product proposition and as such,... More
6 May 2008 - Drop in the number of buy-to-let mortgage products available
An estimated 40 per cent of the buy-to-let products available have disappeared from the market in the past month, one financial expert has claimed.
Findings from moneysupermarket.com showed that up to five per cent of Brits have been forced off the property ladder with increasing ... More
1 May 2008 - Housing market is 'set to get worse'
Any "green shoots of recovery" to be found within the housing market maybe a long way off, claims one property expert.
Fool.co.uk warned that the recent statistics from the Bank of England relating to the drop in mortgage approvals and the Nationwide's figures showing the sixth... More
1 May 2008 - Britons will 'always favour' buying over renting property
Despite the current economic climate, the British tradition of buying a house to live in rather than renting one is unlikely to change, claims a property expert.
LudlowThompson, residential property agent, said that many consumers see a home as their biggest accumulator of wealth rather ... More
29 April 2008 - Buy-to-let mortgage market 'should continue to perform well in 2008'
The buy-to-let mortgage market should continue to perform well during the rest of this year as the key factors to drive the market forward are still in place, one financial expert has claimed.
According to the Business Mortgage Company, up to 90 per cent of loan-to-value (LTV) products ... More
29 April 2008 - CML urges white paper on mortgages to be put back
The Council of Mortgage Lenders has urged the European Commission to halt new proposals on the integration of the mortgage markets within the EU.
According to the body, the recommendations in the paper, which was published back in December of last year, will now be out-of-date due to the... More
29 April 2008 - Abbey and Nationwide 'tighten the noose' on mortgages
Abbey and Nationwide financial providers have both announced changes to their mortgage offers which will 'tighten the noose' on the finances of consumers, one financial expert has warned.
The maximum amount to be lent to borrowers on an interest-only basis is to be reduced by Abbey with ... More
28 April 2008 - Homeowners could be entitled to a 'mortgage holiday'
Homeowners who are feeling the effects of the credit crunch on their finances could be entitled to a break from their monthly payments, one financial expert has said.
According to MoneyExpert.com, mortgage holders should check the terms and conditions of their policy as 58 per cent of ... More
28 April 2008 - Property 'best before' 2004
Homeowners who bought their property after April 2004 are facing a capital loss if predictions of a 20 per cent fall in house prices come true, one financial expert has predicted.
Fool.co.uk, which predicted the 20 per cent drop, said that this fall would bring the average house price ... More
25 April 2008 - New buyers turning to their family for financial support
Many first-time buyers are being forced to turn to their families for help raising the funds to pay for a deposit, a housing association has claimed.
Following the withdrawal of all major mortgage lenders from the 100 per cent market, the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said that this ... More
25 April 2008 - 'Housing market could be saved by flexible tenure'
A housing expert has called for more flexible tenure schemes to be made available to help more people get a foot on the property ladder.
The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) said that introducing schemes would provide potential homeowners with more flexibility.
Flexible ... More
25 April 2008 - First-time buyers need to 'think before buying'
First-time buyers looking to put their first step onto the property ladder need to consider the future of the market before buying, one housing expert has advised.
Alexander Hall said due to the current economic turmoil, which has had as significant knock on effect upon the market, ... More
24 April 2008 - 'Bleak consumer view' enhanced by end of fixed-rate mortgage deals
The end of fixed-rate mortgage deals will mean millions of consumers could face increases in their mortgage repayments, one finance expert has said.
According to the Alliance Trust, low real disposable income growth and high council taxes are already putting strain upon household ... More
24 April 2008 - Guy Ritchie says 'natives' being left behind by housing market
Madonna's husband and film director Guy Ritchie has complained that British 'natives' are being priced out of the housing market by new money from abroad.
He said that it is now almost impossible to purchase property in central London without possessing ten million pounds. ... More
24 April 2008 - Brits afraid of entering the property market
Investors in buy-to-let property are experiencing a rise in demand as potential homeowners are afraid to buy in the current market conditions, one property expert has claimed.
According to new figures from Paragon, up to a third of landlords believe that demand for rented property is ... More
23 April 2008 - Consumers still willing to buy and sell property
Consumers are still willing to enter the property market to sell and buy but first-time buyers have adopted a more cautious approach, one housing expert has claimed.
According to the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), the number of buyers on books has increased but, in the ... More
23 April 2008 - Chancellor and mortgage lenders to work together
Chancellor Alistair Darling and the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) have announced they will be working together in an attempt to ease pressures on mortgage holders during times of market turbulence.
The banks welcomed the offer of special liquidity from the government to ease their ... More
23 April 2008 - Number of approvals in bank mortgages drops
The number of mortgage approvals fell during March to the lowest levels recorded since 1997, according to new research.
Figures from the British Bankers Association (BBA) revealed that 35,417 mortgages were approved for home purchases, a fall of 18 per cent compared with the number ... More
22 April 2008 - Chancellor to meet mortgage lenders in emergency talks
Chancellor Alistair Darling is expected to meet up with mortgage lenders to discuss how homeowners can survive the effects of the credit crunch.
The chancellor said he would be meeting with the Council of Mortgage Lenders to talk about how the government's decision to provide banks with ... More
21 April 2008 - Chancellor's proposals will only offer borrowers ''temporary respite''
Chancellor Alistair Darling's proposals will only provide borrowers with "temporary respite", one financial expert has claimed.
The comments from Fool.co.uk follow the government's decision to allow high-street lenders to swap mortgage debts for secure government bonds. ... More
21 April 2008 - First-time buyers need to save more before buying
The rising cost of living has resulted in a number of younger consumers saving less for a deposit on their first property than before, according to new research.
Findings from a study by Sainsbury's Bank showed that 16 per cent of spenders between 25 and 34 are saving less, with only ... More
21 April 2008 - Home sellers forced to reduce prices
Property prices in the UK have dropped during the past month with sellers being forced to come to terms with a more stagnant market, new research has shown.
According to a study from Rightmove, house prices in the UK fell by 0.1 per cent between March 16th and April 12th.
The ... More
18 April 2008 - Lending to worsen during rest of 2008
Mortgage lending is to fall during 2008 despite slight increases last month, one property expert has claimed.
According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), lending figures rose by five per cent from the £25 billion recorded in February to £26.3 billion in March. ... More
18 April 2008 - 'Emotional attachment' deciding factor in buying a house
Consumers decide on buying certain properties due to emotional attachment, one property expert has claimed.
Rightmove said that there are fundamental factors that draw people to particular properties such as price, location, transport and travelling distances to local amenities that are ... More
18 April 2008 - Over one million consumers to face negative equity
New research has revealed that 1.2 million consumers could be in a position where they owe more money on their mortgage than their home is worth within the next two years.
This negative equity is expected to hit 13 per cent of mortgages as house prices fall by 15 per cent until 2009, ... More
17 April 2008 - Up to £8.7bn paid out in additional mortgage fees
Up to £8.7 billion per year in additional mortgage fees is being paid out, according to new research.
Findings from financial experts uSwitch.com shows that over 2.5 million people (32 per cent) fell into this trap upon the advice of a mortgage advisor.
Almost 900,000 ... More
17 April 2008 - Mortgage protection insurance helps homeowners
Taking out mortgage protection insurance can put homeowners in the "ideal situation", one property expert has claimed.
Legal & General said that this is the case, particularly when the mortgage holder has a family, as it offers extra financial support when an employee is ... More
16 April 2008 - First-time buyers delay purchases
Over a million first-time buyers have decided to delay their ambitions of property ownership for 12 months, one housing expert has claimed.
According to research from Abbey, an estimated 1.1 million potential homeowners have decided to hold back from buying property, a figure which makes... More
15 April 2008 - House prices falling at fastest rate for 30 years
House prices in the property market are dropping at their fastest rate for 30 years, according to new research.
Findings from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RiCS) revealed that 78.5 per cent more surveyors reported a fall in house prices – the highest figure since ... More
15 April 2008 - 'Recession virgins' worried about experiencing negative equity
Almost a quarter of homeowners aged between 23 and 34 are nervous about experiencing negative equity due to falling house prices, new research has shown.
Findings from Fool.co.uk showed that one sixth of Britons are 'recession virgins' admit to worrying that their property price may fall... More
15 April 2008 - Credit crunch impact on mortgages is 'quite surprising'
The impact of the credit crunch upon the mortgage market has been 'surprising', one property expert has claimed.
Following the Bank of England's interest rate cut last week, Capital Economics said that the criticism aimed at banks for not cutting their interest rates was not wholly ... More
14 April 2008 - Would-be mortgage holders need to save first
Consumers whose finances are not in a "healthy" state will find it difficult to find a bank willing to offer them monetary support when it comes to mortgages, one expert has warned.
Fool.co.uk warned that the need to save is now greater than ever following the latest interest ... More
14 April 2008 - Up to 4,000 estate agents to shut over the next year
A third of real estate agents in the UK may be forced to close due to the number of houses being sold dropping, one property expert has warned.
An estimated 4,000 agents out of the 12,000 thought to be in business in the UK are expected to shut their doors over the next 12 months. ... More
14 April 2008 - Mortgage lenders need to pass on rate cut, says chancellor
Mortgage lenders have been urged by chancellor Alistair Darling to pass on the recent interest rate cut to homeowners to help them balance their finances.
The chancellor is expected to meet with the heads of various banks to discuss measures to ensure that the effects of the rate ... More
14 April 2008 - Pensioners spend £23bn on rent
Retirees spend up to £23 billion on rent due to not getting a foot on the property ladder during their younger years, a pensions expert has claimed.
Findings from Friends Provident show that the average pensioner needs an annual income of £11,491 to cover the expenses incurred... More
11 April 2008 - Consumers faced with higher mortgage costs despite BoE's decision
Many mortgage holders will be faced with higher premiums, despite the cut in interest-rates from the Bank of England (BoE)
Both Nationwide and Alliance & Leicester announced they were increasing the rates on some of their loans just hours before the BoE's decision was revealed. ... More
11 April 2008 - Homeowners still prefer to rent rather than buy, say experts
Despite the recent cut in interest rates from the Bank of England, homeowners still prefer to rent rather than buy, one financial expert has claimed.
Iammoving.com said that the cut is going in the right direction but it will take more than this to get the housing market moving ... More
11 April 2008 - Interest rate cut is not enough to bring back first-time buyers
First-time buyers will not be returning to the property market in the current economic climate, one financial expert has warned.
Convex.net said that in the past an interest rate cut may have given those looking to place a foot on the property ladder a boost but this is unlikely in the ... More
9 April 2008 - Housing wealth leaves some mortgage customers in a strong position
Although the financial position of homeowners may vary widely, the vast majority are in a strong position due to the amount of unmortgaged housing equity they possess, an article has claimed.
The article in the relaunched Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) News & Views states ... More
9 April 2008 - Prepare for more house price falls
Consumers should prepare themselves for further house price falls during 2008 with one financial expert warning that the average value of a property could dip by as much as 20 per cent.
Fool.co.uk, the consumer advice service, said that the Halifax figures show that house prices rose 1.1... More
9 April 2008 - First-time buyers could become ''an endangered species''
First-time buyers could become "an endangered species" following recent developments in the housing market, a property expert has claimed.
Moneysupermarket.com said that following the withdrawal of Abbey from the 100 per cent LTV market, and an increase of 0.37 per cent on ... More
9 April 2008 - Graduates priced out of the housing market due to economic volatility
Graduates could face being priced out of the housing market due to market volatility brought on by the credit crunch, one money expert has stated.
UNIAID, a financial charity for university leavers, said that the current economic volatility has made it difficult for graduates to find ... More
8 April 2008 - House prices slumped by 2.5 per cent in March
The latest figures from the Halifax show that the housing market slowdown worsened last month with fall of 2.5 per cent following the dip of 0.4 per cent in February.
Halifax, part of banking group HBOS, said this was the biggest monthly drop since September 1992.
The average ... More
8 April 2008 - Bank need to reduce interest rate to ease credit crunch effects
The Bank of England (BoE) needs to reduce its interest-rates to restore confidence in the housing market after the economic turmoil brought on by the credit crunch, one property expert has said.
According to the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), confidence in the economy and ... More
8 April 2008 - Mortgage holders should insure themselves against credit crunch
With news of repossessions, mortgage arrears and redundancies increasing, one finance expert has warned that mortgage holders should insure policies.
According to figures released last month from the Citizens Advice Bureau, mortgage arrears problems increased by 35 per cent during 2008. ... More
8 April 2008 - Demand for five year fixed-rate mortgage expected to rise
Mortgage lenders have been warned to brace themselves for an increase in demand for five-year fixed rate mortgage deals, according to new research.
Findings from a study by Abbey revealed that almost a quarter of respondents would opt for a five-year deal if they had the opportunity to ... More
7 April 2008 - The credit-crunch has boosted buy-to-let market
The tightening of mortgage lending due to the effects of the credit crunch has boosted the buy-to-let mortgage market in Scotland, one property expert has claimed.
Estate agents Rettie & Co said that there has been "a long overdue increase" in demand for rental properties ... More
7 April 2008 - Halifax interest-rate rise on mortgage products ''no surprise''
The rise in interest-rates on Halifax's mortgage products is "no surprise", one financial expert has claimed.
Changes to the product involve a rate increase for those without a 25 per cent deposit, which is expected to effect up to a third of potential new customers. ... More
7 April 2008 - Mortgage market future dependent on how soon the market ''returns to normal''
The outlook for the UK property market is dependent upon how soon the turbulence in the property market calms and "returns to normal".
According to Knight Frank, the state of the mortgage market depends on whether the market volatility brought on by the credit crunch steadies ... More
4 April 2008 - Majority would opt for the chancellor's 25-year fixed-rate mortgage deal
The majority of people would opt for a 25-year fixed-rate mortgage deal if given the choice a new study has revealed.
Following the chancellor Alistair Darling's pre-budget speech, where he said people should have "the choice of long-term fixed-rate mortgages" as they afford ... More
4 April 2008 - First-time buyers looking abroad for property
Those consumers looking to get a foot on the property ladder are turning their attention overseas, one housing expert has claimed.
According to BuyAssociation, first-time buyers have a certain amount of money, and in the current financial climate, the sum is not getting them very much at... More
3 April 2008 - Mortgage fraud awareness increased
Awareness of mortgage fraud has become more apparent due to house price inflation, one property expert has claimed.
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said that although no official data has been released to show the extent of mortgage fraud, awareness of it has been raised recently ... More
3 April 2008 - Millions of mortgage-holders face payment increases after fixed-rate deals close
As 1.4 million fixed-rate mortgage deals come to an end in the forthcoming months many homeowners face increases in their monthly repayments, one financial expert has claimed.
According to a study from Fool.co.uk, home owners face an increase of up to 6.3 per cent in monthly payments ... More
3 April 2008 - Tracker mortgages more expensive for borrowers
Despite recent cuts by the Bank of England to interest rates, the price of a tracker-mortgage has increased, one financial expert has claimed.
According to money researchers Defaqto, for two-year trackers, the period with the most plans on offer, the average loading above BBR increased ... More
3 April 2008 - Repossession can happen after three months, say experts
vProperties can be repossessed as quickly as three months after the first warning issued to the owners, according to one housing expert has claimed.
However, David Warnes, director of the Repossessions Advice Centre (RAC), said: "You have to bear in mind that the courts try to be on... More
2 April 2008 - Levels of activity in the housing market 'due to fall further'
Activity levels in the housing market are expected to fall even further over the forthcoming months, one financial expert has claimed.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said that the market will stumble as mortgage lenders begin to "shut their doors" on new customers... More
2 April 2008 - Up to 1.4 million likely to face higher rates as fixed-rate deals end
When fixed-rate mortgages end the 1.4 million consumers who use these products are likely to face increased mortgage costs, according to the Financial Services Authority (FSA).
Because of this, the Money Advice Trust charity has been working with the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) to ... More
2 April 2008 - First Direct withdraws from new mortgage market
Online bank, first direct has announced it is no longer offering mortgage deals to new customers.
According to the bank, the move will enable it to focus its efforts entirely on processing the high number of applications for its home loans it has received in recent weeks.
The ... More
1 April 2008 - House prices in England and Wales remain static
The price of homes in England and Wales has remained static during February, according to the figures.
Findings from the Land Registry, based on a survey of sales, showed that the average price of a property remained at £185,616 and the annual rate of growth has continued to fall ... More
1 April 2008 - Number of home moves is down ''substantially''
The number of people moving house has gone down substantially down to an estimated 30-40 per cent, one housing expert has said.
According to Iammoving.com, some of the moving consumers are thinking it might be prudent to sell then rent and hold on to the cash for a while and see what ... More
1 April 2008 - First-time buyers find it hard to get on the property ladder 'in a stagnant market'
The reduction in the number of mortgage deals available is making it harder for first-time buyers to get on the property ladder and subsequently stagnating the market, one financial expert has claimed.
According to moneysupermarket.com, lending is subdued, the number of loans being ... More
31 March 2008 - Mortgage 'could be well invested in a university town'
Consumers looking to use their mortgage or loan to buy a house to let could be wise to invest in a university town, according to the property editor of an impartial advice site.
Paul Collins, property editor for BuyAssociation, said that an investment in a property in university town can... More
31 March 2008 - Millions wasted by homeowners by taking up mortgage lender's life insurance
Homeowners are losing an estimated £310 billion per year by taking out life insurance with their mortgage provider, a new study has revealed.
Findings from the Post Office have shown that over a third of those completing a mortgage application bought life insurance at the same time.... More
31 March 2008 - House prices down for the sixth month in a row, say new figures
House prices in the UK fell for the sixth consecutive month during March according to new research.
Findings from Hometrack's study of the property market revealed that the average price of a property dropped by 0.2 per cent during the month with 29 per cent of the postcode districts ... More
31 March 2008 - Loyalty does not pay for homeowners
Mortgage lenders are ignoring the old business saying that it is five times more expensive to win a new customer than secure a new one, one financial expert has claimed.
According to moneysupermarket.com, many consumers looking to renew their fixed-rate mortgage with the same lender are ... More
31 March 2008 - Homeowners waste millions by taking out mortgage lender's life cover
Homeowners are wasting an estimated £310 billion per year by taking out life insurance with their mortgage provider, a new study has revealed.
Findings from the Post Office have shown that over a third of those completing a mortgage application bought life insurance at the same time... More
31 March 2008 - Hips not helped first-time buyers
Home information packs (Hips) have not helped first-time buyers get their feet on the property ladder, one housing expert has claimed.
According to research from the consumer body Which? there are a number of issues associated with the packs "which really need to be worked on".... More
28 March 2008 - House prices tipped to fall ''dramatically''
House prices will fall "quite dramatically" over the next two years, first-time buyer solutions site Firstrung has said.
According to the firm's operations director, Paul Holmes, such a fall is inevitable due to the lack of available credit on the market.
"The ... More
28 March 2008 - Some building societies 'have best mortgage deals'
Selecting your mortgage from a smaller lender could help save money, according to moneysupermarket.com.
Louise Cuming, head of mortgage services at the website, explained that building societies could offer the best mortgage deal.
However, she warned: "The only trouble with... More
28 March 2008 - Nationwide puts mortgage rates up
Nationwide one of the UK's biggest mortgage lenders has put its interest-rates up in the wake of the continuing effects of the credit crunch.
The second biggest lender in the UK, Nationwide increased rates on its tracker mortgages by between 0.51 and 0.57 percentage points, pushing them ... More
28 March 2008 - Homeowners consider stepping off the property ladder
Up to one in five homeowners are considering stepping off the property ladder, new research has shown.
According to findings from iammoving.com, 18 per cent of those planning to move are contemplating selling their homes and cashing in on the value of the property before it drops any ... More
28 March 2008 - House prices fall for fifth consecutive month
House prices in the UK fell for the fifth consecutive month, according to new figures.
Findings from Nationwide revealed that prices dropped by 0.6 per cent during March and predicted that they could fall a further 4 per cent during 2008 despite previous projection saying they would ... More
28 March 2008 - Percentage of interest-only repayment users 'is not extreme'
Despite recent increases, the proportion of people using interest-only repayment options on their mortgage is not extreme, one mortgage adviser has said.
Alexander Hall said that although the option is not generally recommended, it can work for certain consumers depending on their ... More
27 March 2008 - 'Less choice means mortgages are more expensive'
With new research pointing to current ranges of mortgage products available dropping, financial experts are predicting that the smaller amount of choice will lead to increases in prices.
Moneysupermarket.com stated that it is now becoming harder for borrowers as lenders are trying to ... More
27 March 2008 - Around 50% of the under-30s 'aim to buy homes'
Up to 50 per cent of young people in the UK view owning a home by the time they reach 30 as a realistic goal, according to new research.
The timing of achieving this milestone is pertinent as the average age of a first-time buyer is 29, a figure which has risen from 28 in the early ... More
26 March 2008 - Housing market reaches lowest point for 30 years
Housing market activity is to reach its lowest slump for 30 years, according to research from one property expert.
Data from estate agents LSL Property Services reveals that uncertainty from buyers and sellers combined with the reduced availability of debt is responsible for a drop in ... More
26 March 2008 - Number and cost of long-term mortgages on the rise
The number of long-term fixed rate mortgages has risen in the past year as lenders try to cope with demand, one financial expert has claimed.
According to MoneyExpert.com interest rates available on these products have increased as lenders aim to reduce their exposure to high risk. ... More
26 March 2008 - Building societies still in ''a very good position'' to lend
Building society customers should not panic as lenders are still in a good position to offer funds for mortgages, one financial expert has claimed.
According to the Building Societies Association (BSA), action taken last week by certain building societies was not an indication that they ... More
25 March 2008 - Interest-only approach to paying mortgages is ''perfectly rational''
The increase in the number of consumers choosing to take out interest-only mortgages is not necessarily a bad sign, one financial expert has claimed.
According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders this growing trend could be a "perfectly rational approach" to a mortgage which ... More
25 March 2008 - Number of house buyers dropped to lowest number ever
The number of house buyers and first-time buyers on the books of estate agents has decreased during February, according to a housing association.
Figures from the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) reveal that the number of homeowners has fallen from an average of 276 ... More
25 March 2008 - Sellers ignoring competition in the housing market, say experts
Sellers are ignoring increased competition in the marketplace and the growing difficulties first-time buyers are facing in getting onto the property ladder, one housing expert has claimed.
According to the online estate agent, Rightmove, smart pricing is required by sellers to avoid a ... More
25 March 2008 - Half of first-time buyers would move abroad to get on the property ladder
Over half of those consumers looking to get their feet on the property ladder would be prepared to move abroad, according to new research.
Findings from Fair Investment Company showed that the number of consumers willing to move abroad in order to purchase cheaper property has doubled ... More
20 March 2008 - ''Slower phase'' in the housing market entered
The property market has entered a "slower phase" with gross lending in decline, one housing expert has claimed.
According to figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), lending declined to an estimated £24 billion in February, down seven per cent from the ... More
20 March 2008 - Homeowners staying where they are during 2008
Prevailing uncertainties in the economy and housing markets mean many homeowners who originally planned on moving during 2008 are staying where they are, one expert has said.
RatedPeople.com said that rather than changing their homes, more people will simply make improvements to their ... More
19 March 2008 - First time buyers should ''research the market'' when looking for a mortgage
It is important for first-time buyers to shop around when looking for a mortgage, one property expert has claimed.
According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), buyers should make sure they research the market as part of one of the "obvious things" they should do when ... More
18 March 2008 - Mortgage increases for those at the close of fixed-rate deal
New figures indicate that homeowners coming to the end of their current fixed-rate deal could see their mortgage payments increase by 35 per cent.
Findings from Mortgage Monitor show that an estimated 340,000 households will come to the end of their five-year deals during 2008 with ... More
17 March 2008 - Rates and credit crunch combine to cool house prices'
Interest rates and the effects of the global credit crunch are combining to slowdown European house prices, according to the chief executive of the Association of International Property Professionals (AIPP).
Paul Owen's comments follow the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors' (Rics)... More
17 March 2008 - Islamic finance 'grown beyond mortgages'
The marketplace for Islamic financial services is continuing to grow, according to a media relations manager for Lloyds TSB.
Emile Abu-Shakra states "bread and butter" products such as mortgages and savings accounts are now supplemented by a range of other options, such as ... More
14 March 2008 - Merthyr Tydfil leads UK house price growth
A new study has found that Merthyr Tydfil in Wales has recorded the largest house price gains in the UK over the last five years.
Halifax reports that in terms of average price per square metre, properties in Merthyr have increased by 203 per cent, rising from £439 per sq m in 2002 ... More
14 March 2008 - Budget ''could have helped first-time buyers''
This week's Budget could have gone further to help those looking to buy a property for the first time, it has been claimed.
Duncan Samuel, managing director of online conveyancy Convex.net, said that stamp duty will continue to place pressure on first-time buyers, particularly for those ... More
13 March 2008 - Mortgage products of 25 years are 'too long', say experts
The government need to be more "realistic" when it comes to proposals to develop more long-term flexible options for mortgages, according to financial experts.
Abbey Mortgages said that although more people are choosing five-year fixed-rate deals, as opposed to the previously ... More
13 March 2008 - Sales of green mortgages remain 'static' following the credit crunch
Following the effects of the economic uncertainty caused by the credit crunch it is unlikely that lenders will begin to offer green mortgage products in the near future, one financial expert has claimed.
According to Moneyfacts, there has been no big change in the amount of lenders ... More
13 March 2008 - Budget 'missed opportunity' to help aspiring property owners
Chancellor Alistair Darling's Budget is a "missed opportunity" to help home owners and those aspiring to own property, one financial expert claimed.
The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) said that they would have expected the chancellor to address the challenging ... More
12 March 2008 - Budget does not do enough to help first-time buyers
The proposals in today's budget from the Chancellor do not do enough to help first-time buyers get their first foot on the property ladder, one financial expert has claimed.
According to Abbey, the government's plans to eliminate stamp duty for those who own less than 80 per cent of a ... More
12 March 2008 - Hips introduction 'failed to improve housing market'
The introduction of Home improvement packs (Hips) has failed to enhance the housing market since they were introduced three months ago, one financial expert has claimed.
According to estates agent Hampton International, the packs have had the opposite effect of speeding up the process of... More
12 March 2008 - Number of mortgage loans approved drops to nine year low
The number of loans approved for mortgages has dropped to a nine year low according to new figures.
Findings from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) revealed that the number of loans for house purchase continued to decline in January totalling 50,300.
This represented a 19 ... More
11 March 2008 - Fixed-rate mortgages growing in popularity
Fixed-rate mortgages are still the preferred option of borrowers despite the expected cuts in interest rates, according to new research.
A report from Abbey has revealed that 35 per cent of people in the UK would opt for a fixed-rate mortgage if they were remortgaging tomorrow. ... More
11 March 2008 - Government urge to help home buyers
The UK government should be doing more to help people get on the property ladder, Moneyfacts.co.uk has claimed.
Ahead of the upcoming Budget, the financial information provider has called on the government to clarify issues within the mortgage market and address existing concerns such as ... More
11 March 2008 - Lack of finance impacts upon housing market
The tightening of the mortgage market has been affecting house prices, as buyers struggle to find finance to purchase a home, new figures from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) suggest.
Some 64.1 per cent more chartered surveyors reported a fall rather than a rise in ... More
10 March 2008 - Stamp duty hitting the south
New research has found that the average first-time buyer is required to pay stamp duty in almost all locations in the south of England.
On top of their mortgage costs, first-time buyers paid stamp duty in 99 per cent of local authorities in the south in 2007, compared to 42 per cent in ... More
10 March 2008 - Optimistic teens expect glowing financial futures
Today's teenagers have high expectations of their financial futures, in spite of the prevailing economic gloom.
A new survey by Natwest's MoneySense Panel has found that today's 11 to 19-year-olds expect to have high salaries, low debts and impressive levels of purchasing power. ... More
7 March 2008 - BoE to wait for a ''settled picture''
The Bank of England (BoE) will wait until it has a clear view of the wider economy before choosing to raise or lower the base rate of interest, it has been claimed.
Newcastle Building Society suggested that the BoE's monetary policy committee (MPC) had the "difficult task" of ... More
7 March 2008 - Mortgage rates set to rise
Although interest rates are expected to fall over the coming months, one expert has suggested that mortgage rates are likely to continue rising.
Melanie Bien, director of Savills Private Finance, said that despite the base rate of interest being placed on hold, Abbey has announced that ... More
6 March 2008 - BoE unlikely to cut rates, says expert
A further rate cut on the base interest rate is an unlikely decision for the monetary policy committee (MPC), according to Scottish Widows Investment Partnership.
Spokesperson Sebastian Mackay said while the lender is certain intrest rates would come down by 1.25 per cent over the next 18... More
6 March 2008 - Fixed-rates proving popular
More than half of mortgages taken out in February were fixed-rate products, according to new figures.
Some 52 per cent opted for this type of product last month, mortgage broker John Charcol reports.
This is against a "more recent norm" of around 33 per cent, technical ... More
5 March 2008 - European house price boom comes to an end
The value of property across Europe has begun to fall, according to research from housing experts.
According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), most housing markets in Europe slowed sharply or declined during the second half of 2007.
The report cited the ... More
5 March 2008 - One in five concerned about meeting mortgage payments
Up to one in five homeowners admit to being worried about how they will meet their mortgage payments over the course of the next 12 months, according to new research.
Findings from the Financial Services Authority (FSA) revealed that a quarter of respondents said they had no plans to ... More
5 March 2008 - BoE 'needs to act fast' to restore confidence to the housing market
The Bank of England (BoE) 'needs to act fast' in cutting interest rates to help restore confidence to the housing market, one expert has said.
Peter Bolton King, chief executive with the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), said that consumers' finances are being squeezed as a ... More
4 March 2008 - FSA launch campaign to help homeowners meet mortgage payments
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has launched a campaign to assist homeowners in choosing the right mortgage for them.
According to the body, the focus of the initiative is the 1.4 million mortgage holders whose fixed-rate or discount deals are coming to an end this year. ... More
4 March 2008 - First-time buyers put off plans to make purchases
Fears over house prices and the state of the economy have ensured that nearly two thirds of first-time buyers have delayed their steps onto the property ladder, one financial expert has claimed.
Findings from Abbey showed that at the start of 2008 up to 14 per cent of non-homeowners were... More
3 March 2008 - 100% plus mortgages were 'very good' for first-time buyers
Despite being recently withdrawn from the market, 100 per cent mortgages were "very good" for first-time buyers, one financial expert has claimed.
Firstrung said that the 100 per cent plus mortgages was a "niche product" which, in most instances, was a 95 per cent ... More
29 February 2008 - Decline of 100% mortgages 'another door closed' for first-time buyers
The decline in availability of 100 per cent plus mortgages is yet "another door" closing on first-time buyers attempting to get their first foot on the property ladder, one financial expert has claimed.
Moneysupermarket.com said the product, which offered borrowers more than ... More
28 February 2008 - Fixed-rate mortgages offer 'peace of mind'
Fixed-rate mortgages are attractive to those homeowners who are at the edge of their affordability in owning a house, one mortgage expert has claimed.
Moneysupermarket.com said that these products, where monthly repayments are fixed when the mortgage is taken out, and do not change as ... More
27 February 2008 - Couples more able to get on the property ladder
Couples are more financially able to afford to get a foot on the bottom rung of the property ladder, one lending expert has claimed.
According to Fool.co.uk, consumers who are together should find it easier to overcome the financial obstacles in the way of purchasing property as, despite... More
26 February 2008 - Nationwide increases deposit
Nationwide, the second biggest provider of mortgages in the UK, has increased the deposit homeowners need to have to qualify for the company's best rates.
According to the group, the maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratio consumers need to qualify for its best deals have fallen from 90 per ... More
26 February 2008 - Increasing opportunities to 'refinance' in current housing climate
The current housing climate offers increasing opportunities for those who already own property to refinance, according to financial experts.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) said that first-time buyers may be struggling to finance getting their first foot on the ... More
26 February 2008 - Positive future forecast for life-time mortgage sector
Broker confidence in the life-time mortgage sector is soaring, according to new research from mortgage experts.
Findings from Mortgage Express show that up to 81 per cent of brokers, who have yet to advise on life-time mortgages, are planning on doing so in the next year or in the ... More
26 February 2008 - Buy-to-let loans up in 2007
The number of loans made available to buy-to-let landlords during 2007 increased, according to recent figures.
Findings from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) showed that there were 179,100 loans (including remortgages) during the second half of the year, a figure up from 171,800 ... More
25 February 2008 - Mortgage approvals on the rise
The number of mortgages being approved by the main high street banks has increased, according to new statistics.
Figures from the British Bankers' Association (BBA) show that approvals for remortgages increased from 67,535 in December to 79,016 last month - a 39 per cent rise on the ... More
25 February 2008 - Homeowners could land in debt in current climate
Concern that homeowners with a 100 per cent mortgage could land in debt is growing after a number of providers have stopped offering deals where consumers can borrow more than the cost of their home claims a mortgage expert.
Savills Private Finance said that banks are withdrawing home ... More
22 February 2008 - Buy-to-let 'does not limit property sector'
The rise of the buy-to-let sector has not prevented first-time buyers from getting onto the property ladder in the UK, an industry figure has stated.
Malcolm Harrison, a spokesperson for the Association of Residential Letting Agents, described claims that the number of new buyers taking ... More
22 February 2008 - ''Sense of optimism'' detected in housing market
The UK property market has started the new year in positive fashion, according to an industry body.
A new report from the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) describes "a new sense of optimism from consumers" in the early stages of 2008, with the number of buyers on ... More
22 February 2008 - 'Risky' mortgages disappearing from market
Many lenders are no longer offering 125 per cent mortgages, it has been revealed.
According to Denise Harvey of moneyfacts.co.uk, just two providers now offer the home loans to consumers.
She cited expectations of a property slowdown as a result of the global credit crunch as the... More
21 February 2008 - Brits 'prefer fixed-rate mortgages'
The majority of UK people would opt for fixed-rate products when looking for a new mortgage, a new survey has suggested.
According to findings from Fairinvestment.co.uk, 57 per cent of Britons would choose a fixed-rate mortgage over other types of home loan, with 23 per cent preferring a ... More
19 February 2008 - Rate cuts 'will help first-time buyers'
The Bank of England's recent interest rate cuts will ease affordability pressures for first-time buyers in the coming months, an industry group has claimed.
According to an article in News and Views, the monthly publication from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), the ability of new UK... More
19 February 2008 - Property market 'still slowing'
The slowdown in the British housing sector is continuing despite the Bank of England's recent interest rate cuts, new research has indicated.
According to Moneyextra.com, average UK property prices fell by 1.57 per cent in January this year, while the size of the average mortgage sought ... More
15 February 2008 - UK property prices 'still falling'
House prices in the UK continued to drop in January, according to a new report.
The latest housing market survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) states that overall property prices fell for the sixth successive month in January, although a small rise was detected ... More
15 February 2008 - Scottish property prices 'starting to fall'
People considering property investment in Scotland may be interested to learn that price increases may have levelled, according to Lloyds TSB Scotland.
In the three months until the end of January, the average domestic property in the country fell by 1.6 per cent - the first fall in seven... More
14 February 2008&nbs