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Most popular areas for first time buyers to buy

3 days ago

Recent research from Halifax has revealed the most sought-after locations for first time buyers in Britain.  

The data which was taken from the Halifax House Price Index looked at areas outside of London where those looking to purchase their first property were buying. Despite high property prices and increased rates, these first time buyer hotspots have remained popular.   

First Time Buyer to do List

7 days ago

Buying your first home is very exciting but it can also be very daunting which is why we have set out a “to do list” to help you get started. 

Bank of England Holds Base Rate at 5%

21 days ago

With UK inflation remaining at 2.2% which is slightly above the Bank of England’s 2% target, the decision was made on Thursday 19th September to keep the base rate at 5%.

Virgin Money & Hive Launch Retrofit Boost “Green” Mortgage

28 days ago

Virgin Money and Hive Energy introduce new "green" mortgage product called Retrofit Boost Mortgage with the aim to help homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their home by offering cashback between £3,000 and £15,000

A mortgage market rate war

9 Aug 2024

Following the recent decision by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee to cut the base rate from 5.25% to 5% (the first reduction seen in over four years), we have seen lots of lenders reducing their rates to remain competitive.

Steps for decluttering your home

6 Aug 2024

Did you know that removing clutter within your home can reduce stress, help you be more productive, and improve your mood and self-esteem? Check out our steps to get you started.

Prices for UK houses drop in July 2024

15 Jul 2024

The average seller’s asking price dropped by 0.4% in July, a bigger drop than we have typically seen. 

Overpaying mortgage vs money into savings

18 Jun 2024

Should you overpay your mortgage? If you can put extra cash away you need to seriously consider whether you should pay more off on your mortgage or put it into a savings account.

Getting on the property ladder: first time buyer tips

24 May 2024

Buying a property, especially in the current climate, is a big decision for first time buyers. We have listed a few tips that can help you buy your first propertyy

What is the most popular time of year to buy a house?

13 May 2024

Does the time of year make a difference in house purchases? The answer is, yes and no.

The popularity of buying a house can vary depending on various factors such as regional trends, how the economy looks, and of course personal circumstances. 

Averages for a first time buyer in the UK

24 Apr 2024

Getting on the property ladder is a big milestone in life, and is not something to take lightly. There are several things to take into consideration such as saving up for a deposit, finding your dream home, and finding the best mortgage product to suit you. Here we look at UK first time buyer statistics.

Can I get a mortgage without a deposit?

12 Apr 2024

If you are struggling to get over the hurdle of saving enough deposit due to being in a rental property, but wish to purchase your own home, you may be able to with a 100% mortgage. You will need to meet certain requirements and be financially stable.

The 2023 House Price Drop

12 Jan 2024

In this blog we look at what happened in the housing market in relation to house prices last year, and look ahead at the forecast for 2024.

How do you get a mortgage if you are self-employed?

3 Nov 2023

Getting a mortgage when you are self-employed can be tricky, but it certainly isn’t impossible.

Stress-Busting Tips

25 Oct 2023

We have written a short blog of some stress busting ideas that you may want to put into practice, whether you're in the process of buying a property, or not, you may find these tips and techniques helpful.

Moving and Packing Tips for a Stress-Free Move

21 Jul 2023

Moving soon? It's never too early to get organised! Be prepared and avoid unwanted stress by checking out our list of tips to get you ready for moving day.

Mortgage Tips to Help with Higher House Prices

10 Mar 2023

Although house prices have been on the rise, purchasing a property is still cheaper in the long run than renting and it’s always worthwhile trying to get on the housing ladder.

What Does The SDLT Reduction Mean For Homeowners?

Here we have looked into SDLT in more detail and explored how the recent tax reduction can help people who want to buy a new home.

How Accurate Are Mortgage Salary Multipliers? | What Factors Affect It?

2 Aug 2022

The term ‘mortgage salary multiplier’ is used when referring to multiplying your income to calculate the maximum amount a mortgage provider would lend to you.

Common Issues Highlighted In A Full Structural Survey

27 Jul 2022

Ultimately, a full structural survey provides you with peace of mind and removes some of the risks associated with buying a property.

How The IPFA’s Whitepaper Could Benefit First-Time Buyers

1 Jul 2022

IPFA stands for ‘Industry Panel for Financial Advice’ and this panel has come together to advocate on behalf of UK financial advisers and all of the customers we serve.

What You Need To Consider When Comparing Mortgage Products

28 Apr 2022

we have put together a list of important things to consider whenever you’re comparing mortgage products from different lenders.

Top 5 Most Common Reasons Why Mortgage Applications Get Rejected

20 Apr 2022

We have listed some of the most common reasons why people are unable to get the mortgages they’ve applied for

Getting A Mortgage As A First Time Buyer | What You Need To Know

31 Jan 2022

Buying your first home comes with a mixture of emotions. Owning a property is a really exciting prospect, but the practicalities associated with actually buying a property can be quite daunting.

What Is A Mortgage And How Does It Work? | A Definitive Guide

11 Jan 2022

If you’re still trying to get to grips with what a mortgage is, below we have covered all of the basics you need to know before buying a property. 

What Credit Score Do You Need For A Mortgage? | All You Need To Know

4 Jan 2022

It is important to ensure that you’re aware of your credit score and you’re obtaining a copy of your credit report before applying for a mortgage. 

What Can Stop You From Getting A Mortgage? | Help & Advice

15 Dec 2021

If you’re wondering what can potentially stop you from getting a good mortgage deal, we have looked into some of the most common factors to be aware of. 

How To Save For A Mortgage | Our 4 Top Tips

1 Dec 2021

Nowadays 100% mortgages, also known as ‘no deposit’ mortgages, are not available and people who are looking to buy a home will require at least a 5% deposit to get a mortgage offer from a lender.

How To Get A Mortgage On A Low Income | Our 5 Top Tips

21 Nov 2021

Getting a foot on the property ladder is becoming more and more difficult for people of all ages. Not only is the price of property in many parts of the UK continuing to rise, but the majority of businesses still only pay their employees minimum wage, so many fear that they will never be able to own their own home. 

What is a Property Chain and How Does it Work?

If you’re new to buying a home, you may hear lots of familiar phrases that you don’t fully understand. One of these phrases commonly used is ‘the chain’. If you’re unsure what this is and why it’s talked about so much, we explain here.

How does a Gifted Deposit Affect a Mortgage?

A gifted deposit is a sum of money given to you by someone else, usually a member of your family. The money you are gifted must be given by way of a gift and not a loan.

Help to Get on the Property Ladder in 2021

How does a first-time buyer get onto the housing ladder? Here we make a few suggestions...

The New 2021 Help to Buy Scheme Explained

The Help to Buy scheme allows first-time buyers to purchase a new-build property with just a 5% deposit.

The Government's Mortgage Guarantee Scheme Explained

With the new mortgage guarantee scheme, even if you only have 5% deposit, you may be able to obtain a mortgage on the remaining 95% of the purchase price

New Stamp Duty Extension Explained

Rishi Sunak has announced that he is to extend the existing Stamp Duty Holiday until the end of June 2021.

The Number of Mortgages Available is Now at a 12 Year High!

Moneyfacts, the independent mortgage market monitor of all things ‘mortgage’ has reported that overall mortgage availability rose in January 2021, to 3,215 products!

Questions to Ask During a Property Viewing

The more complete a picture you can build both before and after you make your offer, the better protected you are from the unknowns in the transaction. Don’t be afraid to ask.

What is a TA10 Fittings and Contents Form?

A TA10 form is one of several forms a seller must complete during the conveyancing process. The TA10 sets out, in detail, what is or is not included in the sale of the property.

What’s So Important About the Bank of England’s Base Rate?

There are largely two main factors that drive interest rates in the UK mortgage market. They are The Bank of England’s Base Rate and LIBOR.

Lease Extension Fees - Don't Get Caught Out

Flats, in particular, are usually owned leasehold because in very simple terms, to own the freehold of a property is basically to own the land below and the air above and, in the case of a flat, clearly this isn’t possible.

The Family Springboard Mortgage from Barclays

What is the Family Springboard Mortgage?

Negotiating Tips When Buying a Property

What can you do to improve your negotiating position? Here are a few simple tips that too many people ignore.

What is the Criteria for a First Time Buyer?

The definition of a first-time buyer has been set out by the government in a guidance note published in 2018. It states the following...

Stamp Duty Holiday

The chancellor has announced a temporary holiday on stamp duty up to £500,000 as part of a number of measures to help stimulate the economy. We have listed below the key facts following this announcement.

Calling all First Time Buyers

One thing that has come out of lockdown is a steady stream of First Time Buyers ready to get on the housing ladder.

What documents do I need to support my mortgage application & when?

Applying for a mortgage can seem an intimidating and complicated process. Thankfully this is something we do every single day, so we can do much of it for you. Simple.

Where can I get an Energy Performance Certificate?

You must have an Energy Performance Certificate before you start marketing your property. Buildings that don’t need an EPC include...

Self-employed? How to Get an SA302 when making a Mortgage Application

If you are self-employed, a mortgage lender may ask you to provide a copy of your SA302.

The Latest Interest Rate Cut and How it Affects You.

Generally referred to as ‘the base rate’, when it falls it is usually (but not always) an indication that lending rates generally will also fall.

Mortgage Required Launch Video Appointments

If you can’t come to us we can quickly set up a video or phone appointment.

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Recent posts

Recent research from Halifax has revealed the most sought-after locations for first time buyers in Britain.  

The data which was taken from the Halifax House Price Index looked at areas outside of London where those looking to purchase their first property were buying. Despite high property prices and increased rates, these first time buyer hotspots have remained popular.   

Taking care of your mental health means looking after your emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. There are several ways we can practice self-care that will help to improve our physical and mental health. This can help to reduce our risk of illness, manage stress, and boost our energy levels!

Buying your first home is very exciting but it can also be very daunting which is why we have set out a “to do list” to help you get started. 

With UK inflation remaining at 2.2% which is slightly above the Bank of England’s 2% target, the decision was made on Thursday 19th September to keep the base rate at 5%.

Virgin Money and Hive Energy introduce new "green" mortgage product called Retrofit Boost Mortgage with the aim to help homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their home by offering cashback between £3,000 and £15,000

According to recent findings by LV= where 4,000 UK adults were surveyed, mortgage holders said that were likely to consider equity release to free up some money to take care of expenditures in later life.

Following the recent decision by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee to cut the base rate from 5.25% to 5% (the first reduction seen in over four years), we have seen lots of lenders reducing their rates to remain competitive.

With August typically being the hottest year of the month, ensuring your garden is getting that extra bit of care is important. Here are some August gardening tips for you to read through - just remember to take the time to sit back and enjoy your garden!