Revamped Post Office to offer first time buyer mortgage
March 30, 2010
The government has stated that a modernised Post Office is to offer mortgages for first time buyers.
This new plan is to commence with the next twelve months from the 11,500-branch strong network of post offices and will include an account designed to help those on low incomes to manage their bills as well as accounts aimed at children.
With over 11,500 branches, the Post Office has more branches than all the High Street banks put together and so could make an ideal neighbourhood bank. Read more
CML believes Budget will boost mortgages market
March 27, 2010
This week’s Budget could provide a much-needed boost to the mortgages and housing market according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML).
Prior to the Budget, the CML had been lobbying all political parties reinforcing the need to increase spending in the housing market to improve the mortgages market and thus the recovering economy. Read more
FSA to move to new London offices
March 24, 2010
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) announced it will be moving into new London office space and taking on an additional 460 members of staff to increase the level of supervision over the UK’s financial industry, 100 of which are to be added to the enforcement section bringing the total enforcement team to around 600.
This increase in supervision was described earlier this month by the FSA as a ‘confrontational approach’. The increase in staff and the move to new London offices means Read more
The current mortgage market: the good and bad news
March 21, 2010
Anybody who wants to train to become a mortgage advisor at the moment is asking the same questions that somebody looking to take out a new mortgage is also asking: what is the housing market like at the moment?
There is both good and bad news when it comes to the housing market and subsequently mortgages or home loans market. Read more
By how much can I overpay my mortgage?
March 18, 2010
Thanks to record low interest rates, there has been much talk in the media recently about whether or not homeowners should be overpaying their mortgage.
In many cases, overpaying your mortgage might be a good idea but in some cases it may not – for instance if you have not got a savings pot in case of emergencies or if you can get a better interest rate by putting your money in the bank. Read more
What to do if your mortgage deal is coming to an end
March 15, 2010
When you take out a mortgage, you and your mortgage advisor will sit down and go through your finances to work out how much you can afford and to help you find the best mortgage deal for your circumstances.
All mortgage lenders have a standard variable rate (SVR), but to attract new borrowers and those remortgaging they offer mortgage deals. There are many types of mortgage deals, including variable rate, fixed rate, discounted, capped and more. Read more
1.99% market leader mortgage from HSBC
March 12, 2010
Thanks to a lower arrangement fee and a 1.95 per cent discount, HSBC’s new mortgage offer appears to be a market leader and will be open to the market from Monday.
The lender’s current standard variable rate (SVR) is currently set at Read more
How to find the perfect CeMAP training course
March 9, 2010
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: Read more
Do you know your mortgage interest rate?
March 6, 2010
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. Read more
TV property show host found dead at home
March 2, 2010
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 Read more
