14 Apr 2025
Throughout this past week, lenders have continued to reduce their mortgage rates giving borrowers in the UK some welcome news following the change in global tariffs under US President, Donald Trump.
1 Apr 2025
Are you looking to purchase your first home but unsure where to begin? Here are some tips to get you started.
26 Mar 2025
Choosing which fixed rate to go for has been a dilemma for many of our clients so far this year. There really isn’t a right or wrong answer, but below we will look into the pros and cons of a two-year and five-year to help you make the right decision for you.
10 Mar 2025
Choosing to buy a house is one of the biggest decisions you are likely to make in your lifetime. There are many factors that influence a house purchase, these include: finances, housing market conditions, and mortgage rates.
28 Feb 2025
According to the Office for National Statistics, last year (ending March 2024), there were 153,800 new homes completed in the UK. To help the housing crisis, the UK government has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes in the next five years.
Check out some of the reasons why a new-build home might be for you.
30 Oct 2024
On 30th October 2024 the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves delivered the Autumn budget which we had previously been warned would be “difficult”. Below we have summarised the main housing points.
18 Oct 2024
The UK’s chancellor, Rachel Reeves will deliver the Labour government’s autumn budget at the end of the month, we take a look at what could be announced in relation to housing.
20 Sep 2024
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%.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Help to Buy scheme allows first-time buyers to purchase a new-build property with just a 5% deposit.
Moneyfacts, the independent mortgage market monitor of all things ‘mortgage’ has reported that overall mortgage availability rose in January 2021, to 3,215 products!
First-time buyers that wish to buy a new-build home will be able to apply for an Equity Loan from the government for up to 20% of the home’s value.
There is some good news for those keen to use the government’s existing Help to Buy scheme which is due to be replaced by a more restrictive scheme in April 2021.
What can you do to improve your negotiating position? Here are a few simple tips that too many people ignore.
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.
One thing that has come out of lockdown is a steady stream of First Time Buyers ready to get on the housing ladder.
The government had intended to abolish the scheme completely in 2023, but are now being asked to reconsider in the light of current events.
April 2020 brings with it the end of this phasing. Landlords no longer enjoy tax relief on interest and instead will be faced with a flat tax credit of 20% for mortgage interest.
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.
If you can’t come to us we can quickly set up a video or phone appointment.
A Lifetime ISA, like other ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts) is a savings account, the interest on which is shielded from tax.
The Help to Buy Schemes continue to be used by home buyers keen to get into the housing market. 2017 was an busy year with over 32,000 new-build homes purchased.
Shared ownership is nothing new but it is becoming more popular as house prices continue to grow out of the reach of even well paid individuals - especially in the South East of England.
20 Mar 2017
Mortgage Required are approved Help to Buy Mortgage Advisers and have helped lots of clients to buy a home through this government fantastic scheme.
The scheme works on the basis that rather than having to put together a deposit and mortgage to purchase the whole of the property, a buyer can now purchase part of the property with the other 25 - 75% of the home being owned by a third party under the terms of this scheme.
A help to buy equity loan is part of the Government’s initiative to help both existing homeowners looking to move and first-time buyers trying to get onto the housing ladder.
The shared ownership and Help to Buy schemes are only available through recognised and authorised agents. Mortgage Required is delighted to announce that we are now able to offer our clients mortgages for both schemes as approved Help to Buy mortgage advisers.
9 Nov 2016
It looks like the Government’s Help to Buy 2 scheme will come to an end on 1st January 2017 as planned.
With ‘Help to Buy’, the Government lends you up to 20% of the cost of your newly built home, so you may only need a 5% cash deposit and a 75% mortgage to make up the rest. To reflect the current property prices in London, from February 2016 the Government is increasing the upper limit for the equity loan it gives new home-buyers within Greater London from 20% to 40%.
30 Nov 2015
The Government has launched an “Own your Home Campaign,” offering various initiatives to help people onto the property ladder. 1st December 2015 sees the launch of the government’s Help to Buy ISA scheme for first-time buyers.
13 Aug 2015
Just as all memories of the “Help to Buy” ISA announced in the last budget were fading, the Treasury has named the first six banks and building societies that will offer first time buyers said “Help to Buy ISA.” The Treasury has confirmed that the list is not intended to be exhaustive and that there is still time for other providers to join the scheme and offer the account to savers.
3 Mar 2015
The Chancellor took me by surprise last week when he announced the “Help to Buy ISA”in the budget. After the help he’s already given first time buyers when he adjusted the Stamp Duty thresholds last year.
2 Mar 2015
Two years ago the Government launched the first phase of it’s "Help to Buy" scheme, which has now seen more than 80,000 borrowers purchase a home.
Through the first phase of Help to Buy, (let’s call it H2B1), the Government provides an equity loan worth up to 20 per cent of the value of a new build home, interest free for the first 5 years, which can be repaid at any time or when the home is sold, with the borrower putting up a 5 per cent deposit.
13 Nov 2013
I was delighted to see that Accord Mortgages have entered the 95% mortgage arena, but fairly gobsmacked to find that the products don't form part of the Government’s Help to Buy scheme or require any family guarantee.
Data shows landlords could miss out on green mortgages due to expired energy performance certificates.
Buying a house is a big deal, and where you are planning to buy will make a difference financially. In this short blog, we look at the most affordable and most expensive areas and how much you need to be earning to buy in there.
10 days ago
Equity release is a type of mortgage that allows homeowners 55 and over to access money from their property's equity without having to leave their home. This is done by securing a loan against the house which is usually repaid by selling the property when the borrower passes away or has to move into long-term care.
11 days ago
It’s important to ask questions about the property you are interested in before taking that step to make an offer. A little probing can make all the difference between buying your dream house or something that requires a lot of work.
14 days ago
There are millions of homeowners over the age of 60 who are likely to release money from their homes to pay for their lifestyle during retirement giving those who are 'asset rich but cash poor' a way to live out their retirement the way they wish.
21 days ago
The average age of a first-time buyer in the UK is two years older than 10 years ago. This is understandable with managing the cost-of-living and challenges within the economy such as high interest rates making it difficult to get onto the property ladder.
23 days ago
Skipton Building Society launches ‘Delayed Start’ mortgage meaning first time buyers won’t be required to make repayments for the first three months.
According to a survey by Skipton, first time buyers who bought their home in the last five years found that in the first three months of living there, they were spending upwards of £30,000.
28 days ago
If you have recently moved into a property with a garden that requires a little TLC, or you’d like to get on top of your current green space, check out our tips.