Up until 2007, 100% mortgages were commonplace; in fact, 110% and 120% mortgages were also available, but since the credit crisis struck lenders have become a lot more strict with their lending conditions, with 75% LTVs (loans to value) becoming more and more common. But, with the average house price teetering around the ?185,000 mark and the cost of living on the rise, how is…

Whilst there can be little doubt that buying a home is a far more prudent option in the long-term than renting, the decision to take that first step onto the property ladder shouldn’t be taken lightly. Indeed, having a long-term financial commitment, such as a mortgage, can stretch many people’s finances to the limit, leaving them with little money for life’s essentials, let alone life’s…

Although the cost of fixing a mortgage has jumped up considerably throughout 2008, Brits would still rather choose a fixed rate mortgage deal over a variable rate in order to gain some financial stability from knowing how much their mortgage payments would be each month. Lenders have changed their interest rates on mortgages almost weekly since 2008 began, and most have hiked their arrangement fees…

In the space of only two years the mortgage market has been turned upon its head, sparked by the near collapse and subsequent nationalisation of the Northern Rock, and accentuated by a full scale credit crisis. It appears that the cost of borrowing seems to be on the rise regardless of any movement in the Bank of England base rate. As recently as 2006 prospective…

There can be no doubting that for most adults, their biggest financial obligation is their mortgage. Sometimes you can be tied to a particular mortgage for a number of years so it makes certain sense to do your research before you sign on the dotted line. A step by step approach is the most secure and logical way to approach it. If you are not…

Everyone knows that renting a property is so called ‘empty money’. You could rent somewhere for twenty years and get nothing out of it except for a roof over your head during that time. If you bought a place of your own however, you would be eighty per cent of the way towards owning it outright in that same time frame, assuming you borrowed the…

Financial flexibility is becoming increasingly popular with consumers due to many mortgage lenders offering new types of flexible mortgages, or ‘lifestyle’ mortgages as they’re often known. The idea of having your mortgage, current and savings accounts tied together in the one place can make looking after your money simpler than ever before. So what do these new types of mortgages offer that the traditional ones…

The thought of actually owning your first home is an exciting one, but it can also be a time that is filled with questions and concerns about money. Not only do you have to think about what kind of price you can afford, you also need to try and find enough cash to cover the deposit. While some lenders will give you the total cost…

In recent times mortgages have been making headline news. There’s more choice in the marketplace than ever before and lenders are launching new types of mortgages to suit the economic climate. Ensuring you get the right mortgage to suit your own circumstances can be confusing to say the least, particularly if you’re looking to buy for the first time or maybe remortgaging after a number…