Mortgages archive

Published in December 2010

The million pound mortgage

by John Fitzsimons | It’s not a mortgage that many of us qualify for, but there’s plenty we can learn from it.

Chances of getting a mortgage improving

by John Fitzsimons | Mortgage approval numbers have jumped two months in a row.

Christmas cracker mortgages whatever your deposit!

by Christina Jordan | Our big festive round up of the best buy deals in town

New mortgage deals for small deposits!

by John Fitzsimons | If you only have a small deposit, there are still some decent mortgages to choose from.

Top deals for loyal customers

by John Fitzsimons | You can get better mortgage deals from some lenders if you already bank with them. But is it a good idea?

Don't be a Scrooge with your mortgage!

by Christina Jordan | Give your lender a present this Christmas, and receive an even bigger one back

Published in November 2010

Pay 2.39% on a stress-free mortgage

by John Fitzsimons | With uncertainty over base rate and the economy, these stress-free mortgages ensure you have all your bases covered.

Find out when interest rates will rise

by Christina Jordan | Best buys for savers and borrowers in light of the lastest interest rate expectations.

Fix your mortgage now - rates are rising!

by John Fitzsimons | If you fancy fixing your mortgage, you need to get a move on!

Why savvy switchers are remortgaging now!

by Christina Jordan | After bottoming out in August remortgaging is back on the up. We show you the best deals!

The secret clause in your mortgage contract

by Neil Faulkner | There's a clause in many mortgage contracts that secures all your debts.

Fix for 5 years at under 4%

by Jane Baker | We’re big fans of five-year fixes and now the most competitive deals have dropped to amazingly low rates.

Pay 1.99% on your mortgage – but hurry

by Christina Jordan | Borrowers are rushing to get cheap mortgage deals before the Base Rate rises.

Published in October 2010

Eight spine-chilling facts about your future costs

by Christina Jordan | This Hallowe'en, we take a furtive peek at some spine-chilling financial facts about your future mortgage costs.

Offset your mortgage and save £42,000

by Jane Baker | Do you want to combat appallingly low savings rates? An offset mortgage could be the answer.

Smart new mortgages for savvy borrowers!

by Christina Jordan | A welcome return to product innovation means more mortgage choice for you

Get ready for mortgages from Tesco!

by John Fitzsimons | You’ll soon be able to get mortgages as well as mushrooms and macaroons from the supermarket giant.

Get your lender to pay your energy bills!

by John Fitzsimons | One lender will now pay towards your winter fuel bills if you take out a new mortgage.

Five great ways to slash your mortgage costs!

by John Fitzsimons | It’s not difficult to slash the amount you spend on your mortgage.

Worst mortgage conditions for a decade

by John Fitzsimons | If you want to buy a house, things are starting to look a bit ropey.

Don't pay a penny for your mortgage

by John Fitzsimons | Why pay £1,000 for a mortgage when you can get a decent one without a fee?

Why I would fix for five years

by Christina Jordan | Five-year fixed rates offer brilliant value for money and great security

Don't miss these market-leading mortgages!

by Christina Jordan | Whether you want to lock into a fixed rate or go for a cheap tracker, we’ve rounded up this week’s newest mortgages and best buy deals

The biggest threat to borrowers

by John Fitzsimons | A terrifying new survey shows that when it comes to mortgages, ignorance is rife.

Published in September 2010

Pay 5% on your mortgage for a decade

by Neil Faulkner | Some mortgages are very under-rated and any serious contrarian should consider them.

Remortgage now or regret it

by Christina Jordan | You may be reaping the rewards of a low variable rate now, but what would you do if your repayments shot up?

You'd be mad to ignore 2.19% tracker mortgages!

by John Fitzsimons | With lenders frequently undercutting each other, there are bargains to be found in the tracker market.

New rules will push up your mortgage rate!

by John Fitzsimons | The name Basel III might mean nothing to you, but it will have a big effect on your mortgage rate.

The mortgage monopoly may cost you money

by Christina Jordan | The top five lenders account for 82% of all lending. But who are they? And is it a good thing for borrowers?

Get a fixed rate mortgage below 3% - quick!

by John Fitzsimons | Lenders are falling over themselves to launch great new fixed-rate mortgages. You’d be daft to miss out!

Fix your mortgage at 2.95%!

by Jane Baker | Should you consider taking out a mortgage from your own bank, if the rate is low enough? Let’s find out...

Oops, I committed mortgage fraud!

by Cliff D'Arcy | As house prices fall and buyers exit, some sellers become desperate to strike a deal. Alas, this particular pact is dodgy...

Published in August 2010

16 super low fixed rate mortgages

by Christina Jordan | Are lenders ripping us off when it comes to fixed rates – or should you go for one before the best deals are withdrawn?

Pay nothing for a cracking mortgage deal!

by Christina Jordan | These cut-price mortgage fees could save you a fortune.

The secret way your mortgage lender steals from you

by Mark Adams | A price war is breaking out in the mortgage market as lenders rush to cut the price of fixed-rate deals - just as an influential think tank issues an apocalyptic warning over future interest rate rises. So is it now the time to fix your mortgage? Mark Adams assesses the market.

Cut your mortgage rate to 2.29% - penalty-free!

by Donna Ferguson | This mortgage tops the rest at a low rate that's guaranteed to blow your socks off.

The 2.6% mortgage trick

by Jane Baker | Get suckered in by a super low mortgage rate and it could cost you thousands.

The greatest threat to mortgage holders

by Neil Faulkner | Mortgage holders should be apprehensive about the property market's unexploded bomb

Five steps to an easy remortgage

by Christina Jordan | Don’t struggle to move your homeloan. Switch and save the smooth way!

Fix your mortgage rate under 4% for five years!

by Jane Baker | The popularity of cheap fixed-rate mortgages is starting to gather pace. Check out all the best-buy deals here.

Beware of this rip-off mortgage cost

by Jane Baker | Choose your mortgage purely on the basis of a low rate and you could lose out later on with this easily missed fee.

The top 10 fixed and tracker mortgages

by Christina Jordan | Can’t decide whether to lock into a mortgage rate or take a chance on a tracker? We round up the best of both

Get a mortgage at 1.99%

by John Fitzsimons | As one report suggests base rate will stay at 0.5% until 2014, we look at the very best mortgages to take advantage.

Get £4,500 cashback with this mortgage

by John Fitzsimons | Buying a property can be pretty expensive, but this mortgage offers more than just a helping hand.

Don’t miss this ultra low 2.19% mortgage rate!

by Jane Baker | HSBC has launched a fantastic new mortgage deal but it’s only available until 15 August, so act now or miss out!

The best mortgages for different borrowers

by Christina Jordan | We round up the top deals whatever your circumstances

Published in July 2010

Five borrowers who must take mortgage advice

by Christina Jordan | Brokers can help all borrowers but for some they are absolutely invaluable.

19 top 90% mortgages!

by Jane Baker | There’s hope for borrowers with a 10% deposit as new 90% mortgage deals hit the market.

Machine gun your mortgage

by Neil Faulkner | Opinion on inflation and deflation is evenly split, which is why you need to consider a dual approach to tackling your mortgage.

The safest variable mortgage around

by John Fitzsimons | These clever mortgages not only allow you to take advantage of the record low base rate, but offer an easy escape route if things get hairy!

30 must-have mortgages, whatever your deposit

by Christina Jordan | Mortgage lending is up and rates are keen, but they might not stay that way!

Why you should ditch the SVR

by Jane Baker | Do you know how to get rock bottom mortgage rates? If not, you could be wasting an awful lot of money.

Why a mix and match mortgage can save you a fortune

by Christina Jordan | Can’t decide between a fixed rate and a variable rate? Now you don’t have to!

Save money by capping your mortgage

by Neil Faulkner | A new capped mortgage product has been launched, promising to save you money - but will it really?

Getting a mortgage is about to get tougher

by John Fitzsimons | New rules from the FSA will make it harder for all of us to get our hands on a mortgage – do they go too far?

You're better off ignoring Northern Rock

by Christina Jordan | The State-owner lender has just unveiled a new range of mortgages - but don't expect to see any market-leaders

Buy a home with a 5% deposit!

by John Fitzsimons | This new mortgage may be the answer for those borrowers with only a small deposit.

Take 5 and forget about your mortgage!

by Christina Jordan | If you fix for five years you can sit back, relax and chill out about interest rates

Fix your mortgage at 2.69%!

by John Fitzsimons | It’s not just trackers that have some astonishingly low rates on offer – fixed rates are falling too!

Pay nothing for your mortgage!

by Christina Jordan | Is a fee-free deal gold dust or gimmick?

Why you need a flexible mortgage!

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons explains why the best mortgages offer you a bit of flexibility

Why you need a flexible mortgage!

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons explains why the best mortgages offer you a bit of flexibility

Get £300 for remortgaging!

by John Fitzsimons | It’s possible to make a few quid up front for remortgaging. But is now a good time to do so?

Published in June 2010

Save thousands and shave years off your mortgage

by John Fitzsimons | With this mortgage you can not only pay off your mortgage early, but you can also save thousands of pounds!

Save thousands and shave years off your mortgage

by John Fitzsimons | With this mortgage you can not only pay off your mortgage early, but you can also save thousands of pounds!

Fix your mortgage at the cheapest rate in 7 years

by John Fitzsimons | Britain’s favourite mortgage, the two-year fixed rate, just got cheaper...

Why you're better off with a tracker mortgage

by Christina Jordan | Despite a move towards fixed rates, a cheap and cheerful tracker could still save you money.

Mortgage borrowers: Get off your SVR – quick!

by Mark Adams | Mortgage borrowers sitting on their bank’s SVR are being urged to remortgage now. Lenders across the board are set to hike their standard rates - whatever happens to interest rates in the near future. We outline your options and uncover the best mortgage deals

The most romantic mortgage in the world!

by Christina Jordan | Love is in the air with a mortgage designed exclusively for couples…

Five really annoying mortgage costs

by Christina Jordan | It’s not just your deposit and Stamp Duty you need to budget for when you buy your first home!

Fix your mortgage for a decade

by John Fitzsimons | Forget about trackers – fixing your mortgage rate for a decade is the most sensible thing you can do.

Remortgage and save money

by Christina Jordan | Many people are reluctant to switch to a fixed rate because there’s often a premium to pay, but are they making a mistake?

A 5-year fixed rate mortgage will save you money

by Neil Faulkner | We explain why five-year fixed mortgage deals are looking a lot better than two-year fixes, despite the higher initial cost.

Slash years off your mortgage

by Christina Jordan | Find out how to slash years off your mortgage term!

Published in May 2010

The new mortgage that charges less than Base Rate!

by Christina Jordan | Is a homeloan that charges just 0.49% interest too good to be true?

Now is the time to buy-to-let

by John Fitzsimons | With new lenders and predictions of massive growth, things are looking great for buy-to-let. But is there a sting in the tail?

Time to feel confident about the mortgage market

by Christina Jordan | Investor interest could spell more funding for lenders and therefore more competitive mortgage deals for you.

Stop believing the lies about mortgage fees

by Christina Jordan | No one wants to pay their lender a large one-off sum just for the privilege of getting a deal, but are small arrangement fees really a better option?

Mortgage rates lowest in a year

by Jane Baker | With mortgage rates now at the lowest level for a year, if you're coming to the end of your mortgage deal you face a big choice

When to get a flexible mortgage deal

by John Fitzsimons | What is a flexible mortgage? Who does it suit - and when should go for this type of mortgage over another? John Fitzsimons has the answers.

Want a mortgage? You'll have to pass this exam!

by Christina Jordan | One charity has said it is too easy for first-time buyers to arrange a mortgage without understanding the potential debt they could fall into -- and reckons they should have to pass exams first!

Get ready for Base Rate rises

by Christina Jordan | Rising inflation has led to speculation that Base Rate could rise sooner than was previously thought

The new 'best of both worlds' mortgage rate

by Mark Adams | One lender has unveiled a mortgage which is both a fixed rate AND a tracker. Will it put an end to interest rate anxiety, or is it just a mortgage rate gimmick?

Published in April 2010

Interest-only mortgage deals

by Jane Baker | An interest-only mortgage might seem like the obvious choice for cutting your costs, but it’s not as cheap as it seems.

Why length matters as much as the mortgage rate

by Christina Jordan | Never mind the mortgage rate - is it better to go for a long or a short mortgage deal?

The best mortgage

by John Fitzsimons | If you’re buying a house, this deal should be top of your list! It's the best mortgage around....

Cut your monthly mortgage payment while you still can

by Christina Jordan | Christina Jordan rounds up April's top best-buy mortgage deals and shows you how to cut your monthly mortgage payment.

The lowest mortgage rates in the world ever!

by Christina Jordan | Forget the naysayers - if you want to cut your monthly mortgage payments, now is the perfect time to get a mortgage!

Get the best mortgage for the best reasons

by Neil Faulkner | What's going to happen to interest rates? Should you go for a short-term tracker or a long-term fix? Whatever your circumstances, here's how to select the right mortgage for the right reasons.

The return of sub-prime mortgage rates

by Harvey Jones | If you thought sub-prime mortgage lending (to borrowers with a history of bad credit) was a thing of the past, think again. Sub-prime mortgage rates are back!

Cut your monthly mortgage payment and clear your mortgage 5 years early!

by Jane Baker | Find out the clever way to beat rubbish savings rates, and make far better use of your spare cash.

The best mortgage rates, whatever your deposit

by Christina Jordan | It doesn’t matter what you have upfront, you can still get a great deal

When a first-time buyer isn't a first-time buyer

by Christina Jordan | If you think you can take advantage of the new Stamp Duty break, you might need to think again!

Beware these six mortgage cost traps

by Jane Baker | Here are my most-hated mortgage traps every homeowner - and wannabe homeowner - should know about, and avoid.

Published in March 2010

5 reasons you must switch your mortgage rate

by Christina Jordan | Remortgage today to a better mortgage rate or you will regret it tomorrow!

Cut your current mortgage interest rate to just 1.99%!

by Jane Baker | Want to reduce your current mortgage interest rate? This super cheap new mortgage will definitely catch your eye, but watch out for the sting in the tail.

The best mortgage for low deposits

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons looks at an ace deal for borrowers with only a 15% deposit.

Now is the time to get fixed mortgage deals

by Neil Faulkner | Get a fixed mortgage deal now or you'll regret it later...

The best mortgage for low deposits - Video script

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons looks at an ace deal for borrowers with only a 15% deposit

2000 available mortgages, yet I can't find one!

by Harvey Jones | The number of mortgages in the market may have rocketed past 2000, but there's still a crippling lack of choice

Don't panic about mortgage costs if you have a small deposit!

by Christina Jordan | Stop worrying about your mortgage cost - there are some great deals out there for those who can only muster 10% or 15% upfront.

Shave years off your mortgage cost

by Christina Jordan | One lender has announced that borrowers can now overpay 20% of their mortgage balance in the next year without penalty, which could save you thousands!

Over 65? You’re sitting on a £765bn goldmine!

by John Fitzsimons | Millions of pensioners across the UK are sitting on a vast sum of money that could be used to give them a far more comfortable retirement...

Bailed-out banks are ripping us off

by Mark Adams | Lloyds and the other struggling banks were given £185bn in bailouts - and they’ve repaid the favour by charging steep premiums for mortgages

Nine super-cheap variable mortgage deals

by John Fitzsimons | Base rate is going nowhere, so why not take advantage of these ridiculously cheap mortgages?

Fixed mortgage deals vs variable mortgage deals

by John Fitzsimons | Which one is better? A fixed mortgage deal or a variable mortgage deal?

Why I think the terrific term tracker is the best mortgage

by Christina Jordan | This brilliant mortgage that makes the most of low Base Rate, but lets you leave cheaply when rates rise - I think it's the best mortgage you can get!

A hung parliament could cost you thousands!

by Christina Jordan | Why your vote could affect your mortgage rate

Cut the cost of your mortgage!

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons looks at three easy ways to reduce how much you are forking out on your mortgage each month

Cut the cost of your mortgage! - Video script

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons looks at three easy ways to reduce how much you are forking out on your mortgage each month

Panic about house prices!

by Christina Jordan | Mortgage lending slumped in January and there are signs the trend of rising house prices is over. Is there reason to panic?

Fix your mortgage rate now!

by Mark Adams | Interest rates are predicted to start rising next month and rates on fixed mortgage rate deals are tumbling as lenders embark on a new price war. Now could be the best time in history to get a fixed mortgage rate!

Published in February 2010

Pay nothing for your mortgage rate

by Christina Jordan | Fee-free deals on mortgage rates look very attractive if things are a little tight, but are they as good as they seem?

Brilliant mortgage deals for first-time buyers

by Mark Adams | The end of the Stamp Duty holiday may not be the disaster it seems - smaller deposit mortgage deals are getting cheaper!

How to work out what your monthly mortgage payment should be

by Tim Wilson | Working out how much you can and should borrow on your mortgage is a big decision. Our top broker explains how to work out what's best for you

Mortgage rates on the way down!

by Christina Jordan | Great news for borrowers - competition in the mortgage market is sparking price cuts. But can it last?

Sort out your mortgage online!

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons looks at the dos and don’ts of arranging a mortgage over the internet.

Sort out your mortgage deal online! - Video script

by John Fitzsimons | John Fitzsimons looks at the dos and don’ts of arranging a mortgage over the internet.

Pay off your your current mortgage deal in 10 years!

by Christina Jordan | One in 10 homeowners stand to pay off their mortgage in less than a decade. Fancy becoming mortgage-free by 2020?

Mortgage repossessions to jump in 2010

by Christina Jordan | The latest figures show mortgage arrears and repossessions have fallen, but we’re not out of the woods yet

Escape the 12.55% mortgage interest rate!

by John Fitzsimons | Lenders have started hiking up SVRs, with some mortgage interest rates now at staggering levels. Now may be the time to head for a new lender.

Get ready for return of mortgage deal rationing!

by Malcolm Wheatley | It looks like 1970s-style mortgage rationing may return. Malcolm Wheatley explored what it would mean - and how to cope

The best mortgage rates for first-time buyers

by Christina Jordan | Finally those with small deposits get a bite of the mortgage cherry.

Fix your mortgage rate now!

by Jane Baker | With interest rates set to rise, you'll save thousands if you get one of these top fixed rate mortgages now, argues Jane Baker.

The FSA comes down hard on unfair mortgage costs

by Cliff D'Arcy | Often, mortgage lenders kick struggling borrowers when they’re down, but this is set to change thanks to a planned clampdown...

I want the best mortgage - and I want it now!

by Tim Wilson | How do you work out which mortgage deal is best for you? It's easier than you'd think, says lovemoney.com head mortgage broker Tim Wilson.

Published in January 2010

Pay just 2.29% on your current mortgage interest rate

by Christina Jordan | Christina Jordan rounds up the cheapest variable mortgage deals on offer at the moment - including a 2.29% variable deal from HSBC!

The best mortgage deals on the market

by Christina Jordan | Are you better off getting your mortgage on the high street or through a mortgage broker? Christina Jordan compares the different deals on offer, both direct and from brokers.

The future's bright for mortgages and housing

by Christina Jordan | The positive signs that mean we should stop being so gloomy about the housing market.

Hike in mortgage interest rate spells danger for variable mortgage borrowers

by Christina Jordan | One mortgage lender has just increased its SVR by 41%, despite guaranteeing borrowers it wouldn't raise its rates. It says it was forced to do so due to 'exceptional market conditons'. That spells danger for mortgage borrowers everywhere...