Mortgages archive

Published in December 2012

How a divorce affects your mortgage

by John Fitzsimons | If you have a joint mortgage with your now ex-partner, it's not always clear what you should do. Here's everything you need to know.

Cut your mortgage costs in 2013

by lovemoney staff | Why not make cutting your mortgage costs one of your resolutions for 2013?

£1,000 cashback mortgages to tempt first-time buyers

by Christina Jordan | Two lenders have launched mortgages boasting cashback deals this month. Are they any good?

Overpay your mortgage and save thousands

by Christina Jordan | Paying more to your mortgage lender can mean great savings, but you will lose access to your money.

Save £1,000+ by remortgaging

by Christina Jordan | Borrowers on their lender's SVR could make massive savings by remortgaging to a new mortgage deal.

Five mistakes that mean you'll get the wrong mortgage

by Christina Jordan | These classic mortgage mistakes mean you'll end up with a dud deal on your homeloan.

Published in November 2012

HSBC launches 1.99% two-year fixed rate mortgage

by John Fitzsimons | HSBC has launched a new two-year fixed rate mortgage with an interest rate of less than 2%.

Lovemoney Awards: ING Direct is your top mortgage provider

by Rebecca Rutt | You've picked ING Direct for the top spot in the Lovemoney Awards mortgage category.

NatWest and RBS to withdraw from interest-only mortgage market

by ReenaSewraz | NatWest and RBS will no longer offer new residential interest-only mortgages to buyers from Monday.

Is it worth going to a mortgage broker?

by Christina Jordan | Can a mortgage broker still help you find the best deal - or are you better off going direct to the lender?

The top 10 shared ownership mortgages

by Neil Faulkner | We look at the top mortgages that lower your monthly bills and your deposit through shared ownership.

The myth that it's tough to get a mortgage

by Christina Jordan | Received wisdom says that it's still tough to get a mortgage, but is this really the case?

Abbey launches market-leading 1.99% mortgage but only for a week

by Rebecca Rutt | Abbey is bringing out a market-leading mortgage but it's got a hefty fee and you can only get one through a broker. And you don't have long to get it either...

Skipton launches market leading ten-year fixed rate mortgage

by ReenaSewraz | If you're nervous about interest rates rising, Skipton can offer you a decade of calm with a market leading ten-year fixed rate mortgage at just 4.59%.

Self-build: is it getting easier to build your own home?

by ReenaSewraz | New housing minister Mark Prisk recently reaffirmed the Government's view that custom built homes could help ease the housing shortage. But has it got any easier since 2010 when it was first put on the agenda?

Why I'm paying a huge mortgage fee

by Christina Jordan | Securing a low fixed rate is important to my family, and that's why we're paying through the nose for it in the shape of a £2,000 mortgage fee.

Fix your mortgage rate under 3% for five years

by Neil Faulkner | Five-year fixed rate mortgages are at historically low levels and the level of choice is improving.

Published in October 2012

Cumberland launches market-leading discount mortgages

by ReenaSewraz | Discount mortgages look pretty cheap at the moment, particularly these new deals from Cumberland Building Society. But will they really save you money?

New rules to make mortgage borrowing tougher

by John Fitzsimons | The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has published its final Mortgage Market Review rules, aimed at ensuring there'll be no repeat of the boom years.

Mortgage lenders under fire for extortionate fees

by Christina Jordan | Watchdog reckons that mortgage lenders are ripping us off by charging extortionate mortgage fees.

Chelsea launches market-leading five-year fixed rate mortgage

by ReenaSewraz | Chelsea Building Society is the latest lender to go sub-3% on a five-year fixed rate mortgage.

Bank of Scotland fined £4.2 million for 'inaccurate' mortgage records

by Simon Ward | The regulator found that the bank had two unaligned systems, meaning it didn't know what deals some mortgage customers were on.

Tesco launches two-year fixed rate mortgage at 1.99%

by Cliff D'Arcy | Supermarket giant Tesco is giving the banks a battering with this market-leading two-year fixed rate mortgage.

Why ignoring tracker mortgages will cost you £££

by Christina Jordan | Long-term fixed rate mortgages are getting all of the attention at the moment, but trackers are cheaper and more flexible.

Precise Mortgages: top deals from a lender you've never heard of

by Christina Jordan | Should you get your mortgage from a mysterious mortgage lender you have never heard of?

Co-operative Bank slashes mortgage interest rates

by ReenaSewraz | The Co-operative Bank has reduced the rates on 20 mortgage products by up to 0.40%, making many of its deals market-leaders.

Nationwide pulls out of interest-only mortgage market

by Rebecca Rutt | Nationwide Building Society becomes the latest lender to pull out of the increasingly marginalised interest-only mortgage market.

RBS tightens interest-only mortgage criteria

by John Fitzsimons | RBS will now only offer interest-only mortgages on an advised basis.

Get an interest-free mortgage for 20% of your home!

by Cliff D'Arcy | This new property investor will help you into your own home, but there's a considerable catch.

The best long-term fixed and tracker mortgages

by Neil Faulkner | There has rarely been so much choice if you want a long-term mortgage. We look at the best long-term fixed and tracker mortgages.

Published in September 2012

Precise Mortgages: top deals for prime borrowers in south England only

by ReenaSewraz | Specialist lender Precise Mortgages has launched a range of deals for the mainstream mortgage market. But only borrowers in the south of England can take advantage...

Buy a property without a deposit

by Christina Jordan | One firm claims it can help borrowers to purchase a property without putting down any deposit

Metro Bank, Virgin Money, Tesco Bank: are their mortgages any good?

by Neil Faulkner | New mortgage lenders like Metro Bank, Virgin Money and Tesco Bank are putting out some good deals. And they might be easier to get than other similar deals.

Halifax unveils fee-free 5.89% seven-year fixed rate mortgage

by Cliff D'Arcy | Halifax has launched a fee-free, seven-year fixed rate mortgage at 5.89%. And as it only requires a 10% deposit, it's sure to be popular with first-time buyers.

There are only two mortgages worth buying

by Neil Faulkner | These two mortgages are not only outstanding value but a great tactical decision for millions of borrowers.

Noose tightening around interest-only mortgages

by Christina Jordan | As Accord and Yorkshire Building Society tighten up on interest-only mortgage lending, we look at why lenders are getting tough and what your options are if you're stuck on an interest-only deal.

Top mortgage deals for existing customers

by Christina Jordan | Lenders are increasingly offering better mortgage deals to existing customers, in a bid to stop you switching.

Mortgage fees hit new highs

by Cliff D'Arcy | While mortgage rates have fallen steeply, lenders have hiked their fees to new heights!

Aldermore joins the NewBuy mortgage scheme

by ReenaSewraz | Aldermore has become the sixth lender to join the Government's NewBuy scheme, launching two deals aimed at homebuyers with small deposits.

HSBC and First Direct launch top new fixed rate mortgages

by Christina Jordan | HSBC and First Direct have shaken up the mortgage market with extraordinary new market-leading fixed rate mortgages.

Published in August 2012

Second charge mortgages: pros and cons

by Simon Ward | A second mortgage might seem like a good idea, but you should make sure you understand the risks first.

Santander to hike SVR mortgage rate to 4.74%

by ReenaSewraz | Santander customers will receive letters warning of the steep rise to their mortgage repayments set to kick-in over October.

Manchester Building Society launches 25-year fixed rate mortgage

by ReenaSewraz | Manchester Building Society's new mortgage offers lasting stability and peace of mind. But can fixing your mortgage for this long really be a good idea?

HSBC pulls top five-year fixed rate mortgage deal

by ReenaSewraz | HSBC grabbed a lot of headlines with the lowest five-year fixed rate mortgage ever. But now it's been pulled, where should borrowers turn?

Post Office mortgage specialists can't give you advice

by Christina Jordan | The Post Office is going to place mortgage specialists in its branches. But that doesn't mean you'll benefit from any advice.

Offset mortgages won't save you money

by Neil Faulkner | One bank reckons you could save almost £40,000 with its offset mortgages. But the numbers just don't add up.

Seven reasons mortgage lenders turn you down

by lovemoney staff | If you're hoping to apply for a mortgage, make sure you get accepted...

Saffron BS launches innovative 95% LTV mortgage

by ReenaSewraz | Low deposit mortgage from Saffron BS looks at applicant's rental payment history to check affordability.

Why home repossessions will rise 20%

by Rebecca Rutt | Numbers of home repossessions are at an 18-month low, but experts predict this figure will soon start to rise.

Cheapest mortgage deals: are you better off with a big or small lender?

by Christina Jordan | The big six mortgage lenders dominate the market, but can you get a better deal from a smaller lender?

Tesco Bank launches first range of mortgages

by Christina Jordan | Tesco has finally made its move into the mortgage market. But are the mortgages on offer any good?

Published in July 2012

Mortgages are getting cheaper, but can you get one?

by Laura Shannon | Fixed-rate mortgages have hit record lows in recent weeks but fewer people are likely to benefit.

NatWest launches market-leading five-year fixed rate mortgage

by Laura Shannon | NatWest has unveiled a table topping five-year fixed rate mortgage with an interest rate of just 2.95%!

More mortgage cuts for British borrowers

by Cliff D'Arcy | Barclays, Halifax and Nationwide all cut their loan rates for homebuyers and movers.

Super sub-3% mortgages

by Christina Jordan | Finally we have a bit of summer sun, but the weather isn't the only thing has is hotting up in July.

Funding for Lending scheme already leading to cheaper mortgages

by Christina Jordan | The Funding for Lending scheme has seen its first big win, with RBS chopping mortgage rates for first-time buyers.

The clever fixed and tracker mortgages that break the mould

by Christina Jordan | Whether you're after a fixed or tracker mortgage, these innovative homeloans may be the answer.

HSBC launches lowest five-year fixed rate mortgage ever

by Rebecca Rutt | Good news for borrowers after a bit of long-term certainty - HSBC has launched the cheapest ever five-year fixed rate mortgage!

How payday loans can scupper your chances of a mortgage

by Laura Shannon | You could be turned down for a mortgage if you borrow from a payday lender, even if it's some months since you settled the loan

Why fixed rates are always in fashion

by Christina Jordan | Many folk expect interest rates to stay low for years to come, but that doesn't mean tracker rate mortgages are the best bet for everyone.

A shock slump in mortgage debt

by Cliff D'Arcy | In May, mortgage debt fell for the first time since 1997. You could join this repayment revolution!

Yorkshire BS launches Rollover Mortgage for last-time buyers

by Christina Jordan | Last-time buyers - those nearing the end of their mortgage term - are sometimes ignored by the mortgage market. But a new mortgage has been designed specifically for them.

Is now the time to grab a tracker mortgage?

by Lauren Thompson | Bank base rate not only looks set to stay low for years to come, but may fall even further. So should borrowers concentrate on cheap tracker mortgages?

Published in June 2012

Mortgages: reasons to be cheerful

by Christina Jordan | The future's bright for borrowers as low mortgage rates look to be here to stay.

The true cost of a month's mortgage payment holiday

by lovemoney staff | When money is tight, find out why a break from your mortgage repayments isn't always the ideal solution.

Pay 4.58% on your mortgage for a decade

by ReenaSewraz | Leeds Building Society has a new market leading ten-year deal, but could you commit for a whole decade?

Average mortgage fee passes £1,500

by ReenaSewraz | Mortgage fees have seen a 60% increase in the last two years. But can the big fees get you the best rates?

Barclays to consider parents' income on mortgage applications

by Laura Shannon | The new Family Affordability Plan from Barclays means the lender will consider your parent's income when deciding whether to approve you for a mortgage.

Mortgage rates are going up... and down

by Christina Jordan | The mortgage market is pretty confusing at the moment, with rates going both up and down. What's going on?

Canal boats: can you save money by living on water?

by ReenaSewraz | Ever thought of swapping bricks and mortar for a life on the open waterways in a canal boat? Here's how to make that dream come true.

Inbetweener mortgages: for buyers with medium-sized deposits

by Laura Shannon | What mortgage rates are available to buyers with deposits that are neither small nor chunky?

Published in May 2012

How to combat rising mortgage rates

by Neil Faulkner | We look at why the Bank of England expects mortgage rates to rise again soon, and what you can do about it.

Eurozone crisis pushing up mortgage rates

by John Fitzsimons | The issues on the eurozone are making life tough for lenders. And that means more expensive mortgages.

Why you should beware the best buy mortgage tables

by Christina Jordan | Mortgage best buy tables highlight the cheapest deals. But there's more to picking a mortgage than the interest rate.

Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks launch fee-free mortgages for small deposits

by ReenaSewraz | Good news for borrowers with only small deposits and Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks waive fees.

What to do if you're at risk of repossession

by Christina Jordan | If you're struggling to pay the mortgage and threatened with repossession, follow these steps.

Santander launches NewBuy mortgage range

by Laura Shannon | Santander has become the latest lender to join the NewBuy scheme, with a range of mortgages for borrowers with small deposits.

Million borrowers face jump in mortgage repayments

by John Fitzsimons | A number of increases to lenders' standard variable rates came into effect this week, leaving a million borrowers facing higher bills.

Why long-term fixed rate mortgages are getting cheaper

by Christina Jordan | You don't just get financial security with a long-term fixed rate mortgage - the costs of the deals are falling too!

Why the NewBuy scheme isn't working

by ReenaSewraz | Two months after launch, how are lenders behaving and is anyone actually using this Government-backed scheme?

The top eight variable mortgages

by ReenaSewraz | Now may be the time to take a gamble and save on your monthly mortgage repayments with these great variable deals.

Published in April 2012

How are mortgage rates decided?

by Robert Powell | What factors determine the price you pay for your home loan?

Get a great mortgage for free!

by Christina Jordan | As mortgage fees soar we do the sums on homeloans with no upfront costs

Five reasons why you need to remortgage today

by Christina Jordan | If you remortgage sooner rather than later it could prove a very smart decision.

Halifax unveils NewBuy 95% LTV mortgages

by John Fitzsimons | New mortgages from Halifax available up to 95% loan-to-value as part of NewBuy scheme.

The top 10 fixed rate mortgages

by John Fitzsimons | If you're in the market for a fixed rate mortgage, these 10 deals should be top of your wishlist!

Will borrowers with rented solar panels have trouble remortgaging?

by Neil Faulkner | We investigate whether customers with solar panels are having difficulties getting a remortgage deal with a new lender.

Co-operative Bank hikes standard variable rate

by John Fitzsimons | Co-operative Bank has increased its standard variable rate by 0.5%.

Published in March 2012

Interest-only borrowers left with nowhere to go

by Christina Jordan | Act now if you have an interest-only mortgage, or you might find yourself unable to switch to a new deal

Fix your mortgage for three years below 3%

by Robert Powell | Norwich and Peterborough has launched its cheapest ever three-year fixed rate mortgage - but is 36 months an appropriate length to lock in for? Robert Powell takes a look.

Why a mortgage broker will always find you the best mortgage

by Christina Jordan | Are you better off using a broker to get a mortgage or going it alone? Christina Jordan investigates.

The best NewBuy 90% and 95% mortgages

by Neil Faulkner | We take a look at the new cheaper mortgage scheme for people with deposits of just 5% to 10%.

Tracker mortgages are still very cheap: don't be scared into fixing your mortgage rate

by Christina Jordan | Rates may be on the up but trackers are still a savvy mortgage choice for many borrowers

`Base rate to stay low until 2015' - what to do now!

by Robert Powell | Here's what it means for you and your finances if the forecast of three more years of 0.5% base rate materialises.

Government NewBuy scheme and mortgages launched

by Simon Ward | The Government has confirmed details of its NewBuy mortgage indemnity scheme and three lenders have announced mortgages to support the programme.

Now's the time to get a fixed rate mortgage

by Christina Jordan | As lenders hike their standard variable rates, the time is ripe to grab a low fixed rate mortgage while you can.

RBS/NatWest and Halifax raise mortgage rates

by Simon Ward | Standard variable rates increased as banks say cost of raising capital is rising.

Published in February 2012

Halifax increases cap on its standard variable rate

by Simon Ward | The bank is increasing the maximum it can charge borrowers on its standard variable rate to 3.75%, which could mean higher mortgage repayments for up to a million people.

Act quickly to secure a best buy mortgage!

by Christina Jordan | There are some fantastic homeloans on offer at the moment, but they won't hang around for long!

What's wrong with an interest-only mortgage?

by Donna Ferguson | It's easy to be seduced by the 'borrow more, pay less' promise of interest-only mortgages. But are these deals as good as they look?

Lenders clamp down on interest-only mortgages

by John Fitzsimons | It's getting tougher for borrowers to get hold of interest-only mortgages, with two lenders tightening up their criteria.

Top 25 first-time buyer mortgages!

by Christina Jordan | The Bank of England could be given powers to limit 'small deposit' mortgages from next January. So should you bag a first-time buyer deal now?

Bank of England given powers to curb mortgage sizes

by Robert Powell | Tough new powers to crack down on unsustainable mortgages will be handed to the Bank of England, George Osborne has said

Lowest five-year fixed mortgage rate ever

by Robert Powell | Chelsea Building Society has launched a five-year fixed rate mortgage priced at just 3.19% in the latest series of home loan price plunges.

How an offset mortgage can save you £8,000

by Christina Jordan | Mortgage borrowers could miss out on massive savings by failing to offset.