Category archives: Mortgages & General Property News

If you’re planning to put your home up for sale, there’s a lot to think about right now. As the first daffodils start to bloom across gardens and verges, the housing market usually blossoms too.  In 2023, with expectations of slowing demand and house price falls, it has never been more important to focus on […]

Cost-of-living difficulties are forcing people to reconsider their housing situations, with a new survey1 showing that three in 10 UK homeowners are considering saving money by moving to a smaller property, relocating or living with others. Race for space? After the pandemic-induced race for space, downsizing is back on the cards. Almost one in five […]

More people are installing solar panels to their homes, spurred on by environmental concerns or the prospect of reduced reliance on the National Grid. Putting thousands of pounds on your roof can boost the value of your property, but do solar panels affect your home insurance? Come rain or… Having emerged in the 1950s, solar […]

The number of households renting privately in the UK increased by 63% in the decade to 20171, reaching an estimated total of 4.5 million. As the rising cost of living continues to cause difficulties for many, the importance of protection becomes increasingly apparent.  Safety net  Tenants in the private rental sector generally have lower financial […]

New equity release lending hit £1.5bn in Q3 20221, with 29% more plans taken out by the end of September than a year previously. The average amount borrowed now comes to more than £114,000, while pressing needs and cost-of-living concerns remain more prevalent than discretionary spending.  Why release equity?  Equity release products provide access to […]

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt delivered his Autumn Statement on 17 November, with a host of announcements on personal taxation and public spending. Housing was largely absent from the key fiscal event, though a significant statement was made on Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).  In September, then-Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng had increased the nil-rate threshold […]

Green mortgages  A recent survey1 has revealed that four out of five (83%) people have no understanding of green mortgages. Each lender’s criteria will differ, but typically they may offer a discounted rate, or cashback, if a property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A or B. The government has passed legislation requiring […]

Even in times of economic turbulence, the fundamentals of house buying remain mostly the same. For those looking to make a purchase in 2023, it’s never too early to start planning.  Why buy now?  House prices have stayed high over the past year thanks to sustained buyer demand and restricted supply. Trying to predict future […]

After a turbulent 2022, the new year brings hope and uncertainty in equal measure. So, what does 2023 have in store for the housing and mortgage markets? Back to normal? Average mortgage rates rose sharply after the ‘mini-budget’ announced by former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng in September 2022. Although significantly higher than at the start of […]

Claims paid out under protection insurance totalled £6.8bn in 20211, a second consecutive yearly high, with more than £18.6m paid out every day in life insurance, income protection and critical illness claims. Last year was the third year in a row where the overall average individual payout increased, rising by 9% year-on-year to reach £14,994. […]