Are positive signs for the mortgage market just a blip?
April 10, 2009
Despite the continuing recession, as reflected in our recent articles, the past couple of weeks have shown several signs of positive news for the mortgage market.
This includes new figures showing signs such as increased number of mortgage approvals, an increase in house prices and sales, however, the question most prominent is whether this is just a blip or if these are actually signs that the housing market may have bottomed out and is starting to recover.
Experts have Read more
Free mortgage software for member mortgage advisors
April 9, 2009
In a special offer for 2009, SimplyBiz Mortgages is offering its Mortgage Brain software free of charge to all its member firms, meaning mortgage advisors pay nothing for the technology this year.
SimplyBiz Mortgages is a FSA compliance service company and their Mortgage Brain package includes a Read more
Help for ‘double mortgage’ customers
April 8, 2009
One property agency based in Edinburgh, Scotland, has released a guide particularly aimed at helped what are being termed ‘double mortgage’ customers, following increasingly high levels of demand.
The company, DJ Alexander, said that these ‘double mortgage’ customers are those who, thanks to the slump in the housing market, have found Read more
More mortgages – still high deposits
April 7, 2009
Mortgage lenders continue to demand high deposits although the number of mortgages deals available has increased.
According to figures from the financial information service, Moneyfacts, just over two thirds (68 per cent) of mortgages need a deposit of 25 per cent. This is compared with 66 per cent a month earlier.
However, the number of mortgages available has Read more
Reasons for CeMAP training
April 6, 2009
When teaching CeMAP training courses in areas as wide and far as
London to
Scotland or
Manchester and
Liverpool, you meet a number of people and one of the common points of discussion that tends to come up during the CeMAP course is their reasons for wanting to taking the
CeMAP training.
There are typically ten delegates on any CeMAP training course and with that small number you might be forgiven for thinking they may have similar backgrounds but on almost every course the level of experience and academic background is different.
On one course, there were two people with no experience whatsoever in the financial services industry, an administrator for a mortgage advice company putting herself through the course for career advancement and one person straight out of university who wanted a career where he could earn decent money.
There are all sorts of reasons why people want to become a mortgage advisor, be it the flexibility, the hours or the income, but also other reasons why people want to pass their CeMAP exams. For example, some people don’t even have plans to become a full time mortgage advisor; on the same course, there was Read more
Passing the CeMAP exams
April 5, 2009
One of the common questions that we see from potential CeMAP delegates looking to become a mortgage advisor either through a full time
CeMAP training course or even a distance learning home study course is what it actually takes to become a CeMAP (Certificate in Mortgage Advice & Practice) qualified mortgage advisor and what is the likelihood that they have what it takes to pass the three CeMAP exams.
There is little doubt that no matter what route you choose to study for the CeMAP exams, it will take focus, hard work and dedication as well as a real desire to succeed. Some people are academically gifted and find exams relatively easy and yet, observing the typical group of ten delegates on our CeMAP training courses the range of abilities and the difference in their past work experience is vast. Some come from having worked within the financial services industry already, some have no experience whatsoever but the one thing they have in common is the desire to become a mortgage advisor.
It is no easy task for Read more
Mortgages reduced by £8 billion
April 4, 2009
Mortgages across the UK were reduced by £8 billion in the last three months of 2008 according to recent figures released by the Bank of England. This is the highest reduction in a three month period since records first started in 1970.
Falling interest rates has meant savings are producing a poor return in these uncertain times and the fall in house prices has reduced Read more
HSBC reduces mortgage deposit
April 3, 2009
Following on from our article yesterday that talked about the recent surprise house price increase in March, hopes that the mortgage squeeze may finally be on its way out have been further fueled by an announcement from HSBC that their mortgage deposit level required to attain their best tracker interest rate is to be reduced.
From Monday 6th April, their two year tracker rate of 2.95 per cent will be available to those with just a Read more
Surprise house price rise
April 2, 2009
New figures released by the Nationwide building have shown that house prices rose in the month of March for the first time in 18 months, since October 2007, which is good news for those in the financial industry.
Any price rise at all is a surprise for the industry at the moment, although the prices did rise by just 0.9 per cent compared with February. This now means that average UK house costs £150,946.
The Nationwide itself described Read more
First council to offer 100% mortgages
April 1, 2009
In Scotland, the first council to offer 100 per cent mortgages is set to be Dundee Council as it looks to help first time buyers purchase their council homes.
A spokesperson for the council has stated they believe this will not only help first time buyers but also give a real boost to the local economy and the scheme is due to commence next month.
However, the new mortgages scheme Read more
