The growing availability of CeMAP training at home
December 30, 2010
With diplomas, degrees and all sorts of courses now available in distance learning options, it is unsurprising that CeMAP training has also been adapted for study at home too.
Part of the surge in popularity Read more
CeMAP training: What skills and training do you need for a career in the mortgage industry?
December 27, 2010
For those who want a career in the mortgage industry, there are a number of questions that most people want to know the answers to. They want to know what it is like to work in the mortgage industry and what skills or training they might need. In essence, they want assurance that this could be Read more
New tracker mortgage from First Direct ‘cheapest’ on market
December 24, 2010
First Direct bank has launched a new tracker mortgage, reportedly the cheapest on the market, in an attempt to lure borrowers away from their existing mortgage lenders’ standard variable rates (SVR), according to an article in The Telegraph. This new deal tracks the Bank of England base rate as just 1.49% above for a period of two years, meaning the current interest rate would be a mere 1.99%.
The bank is offering to cover the usual remortgaging costs such as legal costs, the cost of a standard valuation and any enquiry fee charged by the borrower’s current lender. There is however, a £999 booking fee, although this can be reduced to only £99 if the borrower agrees to pay 1.69% above the base rate instead of 1.49%.
The mortgage deal is aimed at those who do have equity in their home already. Some mortgage advisors believe that many borrowers looking to remortgage at the moment will seek the security of a fixed rate mortgage. Inflation is currently at over 3%, far above its target of 2%, which could lead the Bank of England to review the record low of 0.5% sooner rather than later.
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has apparently been split since October in its discussions on how to tackle the matter of inflation and although to date this has meant a standstill, it has been said that the committee is poised to make a move in 2011.
Time could be right to fix your mortgage
December 21, 2010
With interest rates still at a record low, many borrowers have enjoyed low mortgage payments by remaining on a variable rate rather than move to the security of a fixed rate deal. Talk of when will be the right time to switch to a fixed deal has become a regular topic on finance websites in recent months, so with concern from the Bank of England growing, is it really time to consider making the switch? Read more
House buying tips for the first time buyer in 2011
December 18, 2010
Buying a house is a huge financial commitment for anyone and for many people, it is the largest financial commitment they will ever make in their life. For the first time buyer purchasing a house in 2011, they are making a purchase with their hard-saved cash at a time when it is Read more
First time buyer figures set to rise in 2011
December 15, 2010
After a year or two of evaluating the market and of careful savings, reports suggest that the number of first time buyers entering the property market is set to tentatively increase next year.
Around 40 percent of FTBs questioned Read more
Mortgages: How first-time buyer trends have changed
December 12, 2010
According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders, October’s mortgage lending figures give some insight into the changing trends of the first time buyer market.
The statistics showed that the average first-time buyer (FTB) needed to find a smaller deposit to secure a mortgage, with the figure shrinking from Read more
Mortgage advisor ex-Apprentice star charged with fraud
December 9, 2010
Those watching this year’s Apprentice will recognise Christopher Farrell, the mortgage advisor and ex-Royal Marine. Reports state Farrell has been charged with four counts of mortgage-related fraud.
Fired two weeks ago in Week 8 of the 2010 Lord Alan Sugar’s televised contest, which was filmed in August 2009, Farrell was Read more
ifs launches new mortgage advisor qualification
December 6, 2010
The ifs School of Finance has launched a new qualification aimed at mortgage advisors.
Those who has already passed their CeMAP exam will have recently received, or be about to receive, a letter explaining a new qualification for mortgage advisors.
The CeMAP is the benchmark qualification that you need if you want to become a mortgage advisor. Recently, the FSA (Financial Services Authority) has issued proposals to make the CeMAP compulsory for anyone involved in the sale of a mortgage, from the call centre advisor to the administrator. Now, the DipMAP Read more
CeMAP Distance Learning set to soar in 2011
December 3, 2010
Just a couple of weeks ago, we discussed the FSA’s plans to make CeMAP training compulsory for everyone associate in the sale of a mortgage, whether they were a mortgage advisors or a call centre worker.
Sheila Nicoll, the FSA’s Director of Conduct Policy revealed Read more
