When it comes to finding a CeMAP training course provider, there are a few pointers that separate the good, the bad and the ugly. Here are a few things to watch out for and ensure you get from your training provider: (more…)

According to a recent survey, one in four homeowners do not know what their mortgage interest rate is, and that could mean they are paying more than they need to on their mortgage repayments.

Most homeowners know that the Bank of England base rate is low – even if they don’t know what it is. Currently, it is 0.5 per cent and has been for the last twelve months; that’s a record low. (more…)

One of BBC television’s most loved daytime presenters, Kristian Digby, was found dead at his home in London on Monday morning.

Kristian was perhaps best known for his role presenting the property programme ‘To Buy or Not to Buy’, where (more…)

The UK’s second largest mutual lender, the Yorkshire Building Society, has pledged that this year it intends to double its level of mortgage lending. Many experts are seeing this as a sign that the outlook is certainly set to improve in the UK property market for 2010. (more…)

When you make a large purchase, particularly when times are a little tough, it helps if you can spread the cost over a period of time. In an ideal world, it would help if the cost could be spread on an interest free basis too.

To train as a mortgage advisor, you need the CeMAP qualification and unless you are lucky enough to already be in employment where your employer is willing – and has the cash ready and waiting – to pay for you to go through your training, the cost can be prohibitive. (more…)

For the first time since the start of the credit crunch, Santander is allowing mortgages for first time buyers purchasing new-build properties and increasing their maximum loan sizes.

Formerly the Abbey Bank, Santander is making a move to increase activity in the housing market through first time buyers. (more…)

Mortgage lending has so far got off to a slow start however, it is predicted to pick up in 2010 according to the CML.

January was a very slow month for 2010 following the boost that mortgage lending saw in December, thanks to the end of the stamp duty concession that came in on 1st January this year. (more…)

Consumer requests for local mortgage advisors have increased by 50 per cent since January last year, indicating an increased level of activity for the mortgage industry, according to mortgage website Unbiased.

In January 2010, the site received approximately 7,000 requests from the general public for the details of a local mortgage advisor – an increase of 50 per cent compared to the same month last year. (more…)

A 73 year old bank robber said he only did it because he wanted the money to pay off his mortgage.

Times are tough for anyone, but robbing a bank to pay off your mortgage is certainly not recommended. That didn’t stop one pensioner in Florida from raiding three banks in order to get enough money together to pay his mortgage off. (more…)

Figures released for December show that first time buyers rushed to complete their mortgage before the stamp duty holiday ended.

According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), the figure for mortgages granted for first time buyers in December was 24,900 – the highest figure for two years. This was 26% higher than November’s figures.

Until 1st January this year, the stamp duty level had been increased so no stamp duty was payable on properties up to £175,000. However, this has now reverted back so the 1% stamp duty is now payable once again on properties over £125,000. (more…)