Average shelf-life of products hits record low

April 20, 2026 by Brendan O'Neill

Mortgage Advisors

The latest research to be published shows the average mortgage product shelf-life has hit the lowest it has ever been, as the industry reels from the Iran war.

Moneyfacts has just released its report looking at trends within the mortgage industry and this is one of the key findings. The average amount of time a product remained available for during March was eight days. By way of comparison, the month before it was 14 days – so the typical shelf-life has almost halved. Eight days also represents a new record low, with 12 days the lowest it has previously been. This was during July 2023.

It is not just the average lifespan of mortgage products that has fallen either. The Moneyfacts research shows the amount of choice is the lowest it has been in two years. March saw 1,283 fewer products on the market than the month before. This took the overall number below 7,000 – the first time this has happened since last November.

The total number available right now is 6,201. The last time there was fewer than that was March 2024, with 6,004. Most of the withdrawn products were due to lenders being unsure what way interest rates will go.

Rachel Springall works for Moneyfacts and she told Mortgage Strategy:

“The unrest in the Middle East caused mortgage mayhem, with lenders rushing to pull products from sale and re-price at higher rates throughout March.”

It is a difficult situation for buyers and one they will need the help of an advisor with the CeMAP qualification to navigate.