News & Insights

Our expert views and commentary on what’s happening in the world of mortgages and sometimes beyond.

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Inflation jumps to 10-month high

Inflation rose to a higher-than-expected 3% in the 12 months to January, up from 2.5% the previous month, reducing the chance of further base rate cuts for now.

February 21, 2025

Slow start to the year for property market but recovery expected

Property sales got off to a slow start in January, according to the latest survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), although activity is expected to pick up over next few months.

February 19, 2025

First-time buyer optimism grows

First-time buyers are feeling more optimistic about getting onto the property ladder than they were last year, with changes to stamp duty in April failing to dampen their desire to own a home.A third (33%) of first-time buyers think now is a good time to buy a property, according to research carried out by the Building Societies Association (BSA), almost double the number a year ago. This compares to only one in five of all UK adults (20%) who believe now is a good time to buy.

February 13, 2025

Yorkshire BS and Accord extend low deposit mortgage offering to flats

First-time buyers with a smaller deposit to put down can now purchase a flat using the £5k Deposit Mortgage from Yorkshire Building Society and Accord (Yorkshire’s Intermediary arm).

February 12, 2025

House prices jump to record high

House prices reached a new record high in January, according to the latest Halifax House Price Index, despite annual growth slowing to 3%, the slowest rate seen since July.

February 11, 2025

Interest rates cut to 4.50%

Homeowners and buyers will no doubt be heaving a sigh of relief after the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted 7-2 to cut the base rate by quarter of a percentage point to 4.50%. Two members voted to reduce base rate by 0.50% to 4.25%.

February 6, 2025

Buy to let market shows resilience

Despite the challenges facing landlords due to recent regulatory and tax changes, growing numbers of borrowers are taking out Buy-to-Let mortgages.

January 27, 2025

Modest improvement in affordability but challenges remain

Housing affordability in the UK has shown a “modest improvement” over the past year, according to Nationwide, although buyers continue to face challenges particularly in certain areas.

January 24, 2025

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Easing inflation boosts hopes of rate cut

Inflation unexpectedly nudged downwards in the 12 months to December, boosting hopes of a base rate cut when the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee meets in February.

January 17, 2025

UK borrowing costs jump – what does this mean for your mortgage?

The New Year has seen a sharp spike in UK borrowing costs, leaving many homeowners and buyers wondering what impact this will have on mortgage rates.

January 13, 2025

House prices finish 2024 just below all-time record high

UK house prices ended the year up 4.7% year on year in December, according to Nationwide’s latest House Price Index, with northern regions seeing stronger price growth than southern areas.

January 2, 2025

Bank of England leaves interest rates unchanged at 4.75%

After weeks of speculation that we might see one more interest rate reduction in December, the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has voted 6-3 in favour of leaving the base rate at 4.75%, with 3 members voting for a cut.

December 20, 2024

Inflation rises to 2.6% in November

Inflation jumped to its highest level in eight months in the year to November, according to latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

December 19, 2024

2024 wrap up

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the year in numbers – from our mortgage rates summary to how much our customers have saved with our Rate Check service.

December 16, 2024

Growing numbers remortgage with their existing lender

More than eight in 10 homeowners who’ve remortgaged since the end of 2022 have done so with their existing lender, according to UK Finance.

December 11, 2024

House prices jump in November

Positive employment figures and easing mortgage rates helped boosted house prices in November, according to two of Britain’s biggest lenders, despite affordability remaining a challenge for buyers.

December 10, 2024

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Buying a home becoming more affordable

Affordability pressures are showing signs of easing, according to Halifax, with strong wage growth and modest house price inflation helping buyers’ incomes stretch further.

November 29, 2024

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Right to Buy reforms: what they could mean for you

The Government has proposed making significant changes to the Right to Buy scheme with the aim of boosting social housing stock, including the level of discount offered and how long tenants must live there before they qualify.

November 25, 2024

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Will higher inflation lead to steeper mortgage costs?

Inflation increased to 2.3% in the year to October to reach its highest level for six months, triggering fears that mortgage rates may follow suit.

November 22, 2024

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Fear of ‘property poverty’ fails to deter first-time buyers

One in 20 first-time buyers are worried that if they manage to get onto the property ladder, they’ll have nothing left to live on, research by Yorkshire Building Society has found.

November 21, 2024

Renters choosing ‘fixer-uppers’ to keep buying costs down

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of homebuyers who are currently renting would consider a ‘fixer-upper’ property if it meant being able to buy at a lower price.

November 18, 2024

Base rate cut to 4.75%

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted 8-1 to cut the base rate by quarter of a percentage point from 5% to 4.75% in November, bringing some early festive cheer to homeowners and buyers.

November 8, 2024

House price growth slows in October

House prices climbed by 0.1% in October compared to 0.6% the preceding month, with budget uncertainty likely to have contributed to the slowdown.

November 7, 2024

Will you pay more stamp duty following the 2024 Budget?

The Autumn Budget raised the stamp duty surcharge for those buying second homes from 3% to 5% with immediate effect, hitting landlords wanting to purchase rental properties.

November 5, 2024

Feeling overwhelmed by your finances? You’re not alone.

It’s #TalkMoneyWeek from 4th – 8th November, and we’re encouraging everyone to talk about mortgages and protection.

November 4, 2024

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Categories

Inflation jumps to 10-month high

Slow start to the year for property market but recovery expected

First-time buyer optimism grows

Yorkshire BS and Accord extend low deposit mortgage offering to flats

House prices jump to record high

Interest rates cut to 4.50%

Buy to let market shows resilience

Modest improvement in affordability but challenges remain

Easing inflation boosts hopes of rate cut

UK borrowing costs jump – what does this mean for your mortgage?

House prices finish 2024 just below all-time record high

Bank of England leaves interest rates unchanged at 4.75%

Inflation rises to 2.6% in November

2024 wrap up

Growing numbers remortgage with their existing lender

House prices jump in November

Buying a home becoming more affordable

Right to Buy reforms: what they could mean for you

Will higher inflation lead to steeper mortgage costs?

Fear of ‘property poverty’ fails to deter first-time buyers

Renters choosing ‘fixer-uppers’ to keep buying costs down

Base rate cut to 4.75%

House price growth slows in October

Will you pay more stamp duty following the 2024 Budget?

Feeling overwhelmed by your finances? You’re not alone.

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