Home Finance – In the news

Love, kitchen and senior couple relax with cup of coffee, tea or hot drink while bonding and connect at home. Family, peace and elderly man and woman enjoy quality time, retirement and life together

Older borrowers are increasingly taking out ultra-long mortgages, with a 156% rise in the last five years  Half of UK homes saw price increases in 2024, there’s a clear north-south divide in property values  Rent costs for tenants under 45 hit a record £56.2bn due to rising mortgage rates  Retiring with a mortgage  With a […]

Why life insurance matters 

50% of salaried employees and 33% of non-salaried workers lack life insurance  Life insurance covers expenses like mortgages, bills and education costs should the worse happen  Policies can start as low as a few pounds a month, offering affordable protection and peace of mind  Taking out life insurance is a crucial step in protecting what […]

Flooding puts 6.3 million homes at risk

Flooding puts 6.3 million homes at risk

6.3 million homes face flooding threats, but the dangers are expected to rise significantly due to climate change  4.6 million properties are at risk of surface water flooding, a 43% increase since 2018  Taking proactive steps, including insurance, is key to protecting against flood damage  A recent report from the Environment Agency has revealed that […]

Equity Release – cause for optimism

Portrait of a happy senior couple sitting on sofa at home

Over 15,000 active customers and £622m in lending recorded in Q4 2024, up from £525m in Q4 2023  A 3.3% increase in UK house prices contributed to larger loan sizes and improved product availability.   A 27% rise in returning customers using further advances shows growing confidence in equity release  Looking at The Equity Release Council’s […]

One in six plan to move in 2025

Smiling couple looking at smartphone while relaxing during a move. Indian man and beautiful woman checking mobile phone together, surrounded by moving boxes. Mixed race couple enjoying a moment together during their move into a new home.

30% of Brits moved home in the past three years, motivated by lifestyle changes and space  One in six homeowners plan to relocate this year, with garages and gardens top priorities  Renters face affordability challenges, with many needing family support to buy their first home.  After a busy period in the housing market, there seems […]

Stamp Duty changes – tune in

Stamp Duty changes – tune in

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) rates reverted on 1 April 2025 to pre-September 2022 levels  First-time buyers will have to start paying the tax on any home valued above £300,000  Non-first-time buyers will pay SDLT on properties valued above £125,000. From 1 April 2025, Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) rates revert to the thresholds prevailing […]

Spring tips for UK homebuyers

Spring typically offers an uptick in listings, with 70% of homes listed in February and March completing quickly  Buyers have benefited from stable mortgage rates and a wider selection of homes to offer on  Early preparation is crucial for making informed and successful decisions in a competitive market  As spring gets under way, the UK […]

When is the right time to buy your first home? 

Changes to Stamp Duty and mortgage rates may make now a good time for first-time buyers.  House prices are predicted to rise in 2025, though at a slower pace than before.  Lower mortgage rates have boosted first-time buyers’ budgets, but personal circumstances should guide decisions.  There is a lot to think about when purchasing your […]

Now here’s a golden anniversary worth celebrating! 

Now here’s a golden anniversary worth celebrating! 

It’s 2025 and we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Sex Discrimination Act which, amongst other measures, made it possible for women to get a mortgage without a man’s countersignature.  It’s a great time to reflect on how far we have come in promoting financial equality between the sexes. In recent years, we have […]

Could ‘right-sizing’ help the housing market?

Could ‘right-sizing’ help the housing market?

With the UK housing market facing an array of problems, experts have suggested almost as many solutions. One concept that could help resolve the current shortcomings is ‘right-sizing.’  ‘Right-sizing’ refers to the process of moving to a more suitable property for your requirements, generally one with fewer bedrooms. Closely related to downsizing, some analysts think […]