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Historically, a decline in property sales has also led to a boost in private rental market stock. This is based on research1 looking at both sales and rental markets during the 2008-09 financial crisis and recent pandemic downturn. In 2008 property sales volumes...

A recent survey1 has shown that four in five people have no understanding of green mortgages.  The terms of each individual deal differ, but typically lenders offer enhanced mortgage deals, for example lower interest rates or cashback, to qualifying homes....

There is a natural connection between protection and homeowners, but new research suggests that renters could in fact gain more from the benefits of cover. Rent rise The number of households renting privately in the UK rose by 63% in the decade to 20171, reaching an...

The average prospective buyer predicts they will be 37 years old by the time they finally step on the property ladder, up from 32 years old only two years ago. The survey by First Direct also found that 86% of prospective first-time buyers considered the...

Navigating the UK equity release market can be daunting, as there are a variety of different products and providers to choose from. However, with a bit of research and understanding of what to consider, you can make an informed decision that will suit your needs. One...

The home-buying process can be complex for the first-time buyer (FTB). So much so that finding the right home can start to seem like the least of your concerns! Here are some top tips to prepare financially before you kick off your search: Know what you need. Before...

In difficult financial conditions, many people are looking to make savings. For those fortunate enough to own their own home, that could mean releasing equity from your home. In the first half of 2022, 19.6% of equity release plans were taken out to cover everyday...

House prices are widely predicted to fall next year, with drops of around 5% anticipated1. As mortgage rates rise, dampening demand and supply increases mean that prices are projected to fall. Buyer demand has dropped by a third since the September ‘mini-budget’ when...

First Time Buyers (FTBs) face many external challenges when trying to get on the housing ladder. House prices, mortgage rates and property availability are not within most FTBs’ control. Yet something you can have an impact on is your credit score. Give your score a...

Inflation hit new heights in October, with a rise of 11.1% year-on-year1, driven mostly by essentials such as food and fuel. As the increasing cost of living continues to impact on people’s lives, it is more important than ever to remember another financial essential...

Housing was not at the forefront of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement, delivered on 17 November, though a few significant announcements were made in relation to Stamp Duty and social rents. For those looking to buy, the latest fiscal event provided...

It now takes five months, on average, to complete the process of buying a house1, a rise of nearly a quarter since 2019. In the last six months, the average time taken to complete the home buying process stands at 153 days, up from the 124 days recorded in 2019....

Why are rising interest rates bad news for mortgage holders? And what role does inflation play in pushing repayments higher? Inflationary effect The pace of inflation has been well ahead of the Bank of England’s (BoE’s) target of 2% throughout 2022. In September, the...

Fewer than one in four people has a life insurance policy that would support their family in the event of their death, a new study1 has found. As the cost-of-living burden worsens, experts fear that the protection gap could continue to widen. Indeed, a tenth of...

In September, the government announced a permanent Stamp Duty cut in England and Northern Ireland, which means no tax will be paid on the purchase of properties up to £250,000. Although most of the policies from the ‘mini-budget’ have since been scrapped, this one has...

The average house price in September rose 9.5% year-on-year, a slight dip from the sky-high figures in July and August. This is the first time annual house price growth has been in single digits since October 2021. The average house price is now £272,259. In another...

Mortgages became headline news in October – and not a headline many people wanted to read. Despite the doom and gloom of the current mortgage market, it is still possible to make a positive decision. Rates rise The political turmoil recently initially sent interest...