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.

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. 

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 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!

New Help to Buy Scheme Launched

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.

Help to Buy Mortgage Deadline Extended

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.

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.

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.

The Help to Buy Mortgage may be extended after Lockdown

The government had intended to abolish the scheme completely in 2023, but are now being asked to reconsider in the light of current events.

New Tax Changes to Mortgage Tax Relief & Capital Gains for Landlords

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.

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.

Lifetime ISA's Explained

A Lifetime ISA, like other ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts) is a savings account, the interest on which is shielded from tax.

Help to Buy Equity Loans are More Popular Than Ever

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.

A Guide To Shared Ownership

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.

Help to Buy – A fantastic way to get on the property ladder!

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.

What is the Help to Buy Shared Ownership 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.

What is a Help to Buy Equity Loan?

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.

“Help to Buy” Government Loan Scheme now available at Mortgage Required

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.

Help to Buy Scheme Ending Soon

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.

What is the Help to Buy Equity Loan Scheme?

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%.

Help to Buy ISA Scheme

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.

Help to Buy ISA Update

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.

Help to Buy ISA

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.

Happy Birthday Help to Buy

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.

Accord 95% Mortgages

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.

 
 

Recent posts

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According to research by StepChange, there are five common reasons people don’t seek help and advice with debt concerns.

Friyay Rate Reviews

6 Feb 2024

Every Friday our experts search the market for the latest rates from every lender saving our clients some serious £'s!

Looking to Extend?

2 Feb 2024

Are you looking to extend your property? There are many benefits to adding an extension to your existing home, here are a few. 

Put simply, Equity Release is where you can release equity (money) tied up in your home for any purpose you like. In this short article, we share some reasons why you may want to consider Equity Release.

The team at Mortgage Required may not be able to lower the prices in your local supermarket, but we have come up with a list of tips to help you lower your food shopping bill.

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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.

With many of us putting our feet up on 26th December after a full-on day of festivities, there are a significant number of people who find themselves checking out property portal sites!