Category archives: Mortgages & General Property News

Research has found that some landlords are improving the energy performance of their properties even though it is no longer a potential legal requirement.    Keen landlords    Last year proposed regulations for all private rental properties to have a minimum EPC rating of C were shelved. However, 37% of portfolio landlords are still upgrading their properties […]

Are you thinking of buying a new  build? The good news is there are more  regulations than ever that protect  buyers of newly built homes. It can be  difficult to keep up with these changes,  so here’s what you need to know.    Codes of conduct    Most developers are signed up to a code which lays […]

Location, location, location  Homeowners are willing to pay more for convenience, as a short walk to a town centre or high street could boost a home’s value by more than £80,0001.  In England, homes that are close to a town are worth 27.6% more than the average property.  Interestingly, proximity costs an extra 14.2% in […]

According to a lifetime mortgage lender, one in five of their new equity release plans in Q1 were taken out by homeowners with properties worth over £550,0001.  When asked why they were releasing equity, 22% of customers said they planned to spend the unlocked cash on improving their home. Less than 20% of borrowers wanted […]

Are you looking forward to a long holiday this summer? Don’t spoil the fun and relaxation; make sure you leave your home fully insured.  Inform your insurance provider  You may think that it doesn’t make a difference whether you go on holiday for two weeks, a month, or more. However, most insurers require you to […]

Do you have hopes to buy? Whether you’re looking to get on, move up or down the ladder, your property dreams are possible with a little preparation. Here’s how you can get yourself mortgage-ready this summer.  Check your credit score  Lenders will inspect your credit report for evidence that you can meet the mortgage repayments. […]

Nobody wants to pay too much for their home. During the home buying process, there are many causes of stress. Making sure you don’t overpay doesn’t need to be one. That’s because getting the right survey can give you peace of mind that you are paying a fair price.  What is a survey?  A survey […]

Only one in seven non-retired homeowners over 55 plan to downsize after they stop working, a new study1 suggests.  In a poll of 2,000 adults over the age of 55, half said they plan on staying in their current home after they retire. For those aged 71 to 75, the figure is 68%.  No hassle, […]

Taking out life insurance may not be a legal requirement if you have a mortgage, but it certainly is sensible to have.  The benefits  When applying for a mortgage, proof of cover could make you a stronger candidate in the eyes of a lender because they know that, in the event of your death, other […]

New research1 indicates that more than half (52%) of buy-to-let (BTL) landlords have been actively expanding their property portfolios over the past year, with 25% acquiring one property and an additional 27% acquiring multiple properties.  Looking at the next twelve months, 26% intend to acquire a single property, while another 26% plan to expand their […]