Financial Guides
Share this..
Related stories
What should come first - an increase in mortgage liquidity or a rise in property prices?
Despite the Council of Mortgage Lenders in the UK (CML) forecasting an increase in UK mortgage liquidity in the latter part of 2010 there is concern that mortgage companies are waiting for a revival in the UK property market. This then prompts the question, what should come first, an increase in mortgage liquidity or a rise in property prices? This is very much a chicken and egg situation in th...
Read MoreAverage age of mortgage applicants lowest in four years
13/05/2014 The average age of people looking to apply for a mortgage fell below 37 years old (36.9) for the first time in almost four years in April 2014. Younger buyers seemed to be unmoved by the effects of the Mortgage Market Review (MMR) which has been designed to tighten mortgage lending regulations. This unwavering demand from young people has come despite the MMR having an overall...
Read MoreIs the mortgage market finally waking up?
It would appear, in one of the more quiet periods for the UK housing market, that mortgage lenders in the UK are now getting ready for a particularly competitive 2010. Over the last few days we have seen the likes of First Direct, Alliance & Leicester, Abbey and Cheltenham and Gloucester slash their rates on fixed mortgages with over 94 mortgage arrangements now offering rates below 4% as opposed...
Read MoreCML sees mortgage repayments hit heights
The most recent rises in interest rates have contributed to mortgage interest payments for first-time buyers reaching their highest level for 15 years.According to the latest report from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), first time buyers were spending an average of 18.7 per cent of their incomes on mortgage interest in April.This level is the highest since 1992, the CML revealed, having rise...
Read MoreMortgage arrangements up but net lending down
In a surprising change of direction for the UK economy July saw an unexpected increase in mortgage arrangements and consumer lending although net lending was down on the month. Total net lending in the UK with just £86 million in July against a figure of £518 million in June highlighting the fact that more and more people in the UK are trying to repay debt ahead of what could be a further diffic...
Read MoreBitter Hips row goes to parliament
The government's controversial home improvement packs (Hips) are to be voted on in the House of Commons today, a day after legal action was launched against their introduction.Conservative party leader David Cameron has tabled a motion for Hips to be discussed by MPs, with the debate set to take place after prime minister question's.Yesterday the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) took...
Read MoreSearching for that elusive mortgage deal
Despite the fact that the UK property market is still struggling to pull away from the after effects of the recession there are still a number of very attractive mortgage deals available. The popular press has made much mention of growing competition in the mortgage industry although it can be difficult to find a deal which best suits your situation and your requirements. It may take some time, it...
Read MoreWhat is Freddie Mac?
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are two government sponsored organisations which very much go hand in hand, between them having exposure to over 50% of the US mortgage market. But what exactly is Freddie Mac and what does it do?
As we covered in our earlier post, Fannie Mae held something of a monopoly in the US mortgage market for the first 30 years of its life. Under pressure to crea...
Would a mortgage cap kill the property market?
There is strong talk in the city of a mortgage cap being introduced by the Bank of England with a suggestion that a minimum deposit figure could be as high as 25%. While there is no doubt that introducing a cushion between the value of any property and the funds forwarded from mortgage providers would reduce the chances of a property crash in the future it could also kill the property sector stone...
Read MoreMortgage lenders attack the UK government
The confirmation that mortgage business fell by 60% to an eight year low last month has prompted a vicious attack on the UK government by the mortgage industry. The mortgage industry leaders believe that while the UK government has hit the headlines with demands that liquidity is increased, their position is being constantly undermined by the National Savings and Investments company which is offer...
Read More