Bristol leads LISA house purchase hotspots as activity spreads across UK

Bristol, Belfast and Sheffield were the most popular locations for Lifetime ISA-backed first-time buyer purchases in 2025, according to Moneybox data. Bristol has retained its position as the leading location for first-time buyers using a Lifetime ISA, as more...

Latest news

Conveyancers set out reform priorities in response to estate management consultations

The Conveyancing Association has outlined practical reforms to improve transparency and reduce delays in property transactions, as part of its response to two government...

Twenty7tec adds two to marketing team

Twenty7tec has appointed Ellisha Jade and Sam Cane to its marketing team as it looks to strengthen brand, communications and customer engagement across the...

Stamp Duty receipts from homebuyers rise to £995m in February

Homebuyers paid £995m in Stamp Duty Land Tax in February, up from £899m in January, according to Coventry Building Society’s analysis of the latest...

Targeted Support may encourage more savers to seek financial advice

Nearly half of independent financial advisers believe the Financial Conduct Authority’s new Targeted Support framework could make consumers more likely to seek full financial...

The Cambridge marks 175 years with £175k community donation

The Cambridge Building Society has set out the scale of its community investment during its 175th anniversary year, including more than £175,000 in charitable donations. The mutual has published its latest Impact Review, outlining activity across 2025 as it...

Smart Data homebuying reforms could add £2.06bn a year to GDP

The Open Property Data Association (OPDA) has said a new government report strengthens the case for Smart Data reforms in homebuying after the study concluded the changes could deliver £14.1 billion in net social value and add £2.06...

Mortgage arm helps drive LSL to higher profits and record margin

LSL Property Services said growth in its mortgage business helped lift underlying operating profit by 17% in 2025, as the group posted a record operating margin and pointed to further profit growth this year. The group, which owns the...

INDUSTRY REACTION: MPC holds Bank Rate at 3.75%

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted to keep the Bank Rate unchanged at 3.75%. The decision was unanimous among the nine-person strong committee. Explaining its decision, the MPC cited the conflict in the Middle East and...

PROFILE

Profile: Andrew Lloyd, CEO of Fignum

Andrew Lloyd is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fignum. He was appointed to the role in October 2024 to lead the business, which...

INDUSTRY COMMENT

Renters’ Rights Act and what it means for professional landlords and brokers

The Renters’ Rights Act marks a new era for the property market. While the headline change, the abolition of Section 21 “no-fault” eviction notices,...

Can I ask you something? Who does your tampons?

Before you judge the title, let me add some context. If you know your British comedy you will recognise this line. It was delivered...

Neurodiversity Celebration Week: Strength in different thinking

In an industry built on detail, judgement, resilience and relationships we often focus on performance, productivity and professionalism. But during Neurodiversity Celebration Week it’s worth...

How advisers can find and secure powerful introducers to grow their business

If you’ve been in financial services long enough, you know that one great introducer can transform your business. Introducers, whether they are estate agents, accountants,...

Ignorance, not cost, still the biggest barrier to protection sales

During 2024 CIExpert commissioned Opinium to speak to 5,000 consumers – a mix of genders and ages – regarding critical illness (CI) insurance. The aim...

The protection gap that runs all the way up the ladder

The property ladder is usually talked about in terms of deposits, equity, and affordability but recent research reveals a less visible truth; moving up...

Q&As

BUY-TO-LET

Student-led markets dominate Paragon’s buy-to-let hotspot rankings for 2025

Postcodes with strong student populations and robust rental demand accounted for the most active...

TPFG targets buy-to-let growth a regulation looms

The Property Franchise Group says tightening regulation in the rental sector is creating new...

Virgin Money raises selected mortgage and buy-to-let rates

Virgin Money is increasing a range of residential, remortgage, buy-to-let and product transfer fixed...

Landbay opens Scottish market to Premier buy-to-let range

Landbay has made its Premier buy-to-let products available across Scotland after an initial phased...

Simplybiz Mortgages and FIBA expand specialist panel with two sourcing platforms

Simplybiz Mortgages and the Financial Intermediary & Broker Association (FIBA) have added Brickflow and...

Family Building Society returns to fixed-rate lending with reduced mortgage range

The Family Building Society has returned to the mortgage market with a limited range...

Brokers want live criteria as AI changes how cases are placed

Brokers are increasingly turning to technology to ensure they are working with accurate, up-to-date...

Mortgage searches edge higher year-on-year in February

Mortgage search activity eased back from January’s early-year spike in February, but remained ahead...

MORTGAGE MINGLE PODCAST

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

FIRST-TIME BUYERS

West Brom targets first-time buyer uncertainty with spring mortgage campaign

West Brom Building Society has launched a regional spring campaign after new research suggested a sizeable share of first-time buyers feel daunted by the mortgage process before they even begin. The mutual said its findings point to a confidence problem among prospective borrowers, with many...

The Cambridge revives 98% LTV mortgage for first-time buyers

The Cambridge Building Society has relaunched its First Step mortgage, offering first-time buyers across...

Market holds steady despite global tensions but rates edge higher

The housing market has remained stable through March but rising mortgage rates and growing...

Precise waives valuation fees on residential loans up to £400k

Precise has introduced free standard valuations on residential properties worth up to £400,000 as...

Growing demand for faster, more supportive broker service among first-time buyers

First-time buyers are leaning heavily on brokers for speed, reassurance and help navigating affordability...

OPINION

Rising job insecurity highlights protection conversations for mortgage advisers

Concerns around job security across the UK are growing as signs of a weakening labour market continue to become more apparent. Job vacancies have...

Why landlords will continue to play a central role in meeting housing demand

This month’s Spring Statement may not have delivered dramatic housing announcements, but the data...

Debt awareness is as important for advisers as for clients

Debt Awareness Week, beginning on 16th March, provides a timely opportunity for reflection. The...

Market may be overreacting to conflict-driven rate fears

Financial markets could be overreacting in the early days of the conflict as they take a second rate cut off the table this year. The conflict in the Middle East and accompanying spike in energy prices means financial markets expect fewer rate cuts from the...

The UK’s conveyancing conundrum explained

Why is conveyancing so slow in the UK? The average property transaction now takes between 14 and 20 weeks… and that is not taking...

DISTRIBUTION

Certua Life launches as new protection insurer targeting digital distribution gap

Certua Life has launched in the UK, positioning itself as a protection-focused life insurer...

Key Equity Release teams up with Pense to broaden later life advice

Key Equity Release has entered a partnership with pension specialist Pense as it looks...

Duffy urges calm as market volatility hits mortgage pricing

Mortgageforce chief executive Kevin Duffy has urged brokers and borrowers to take a measured...

Access FS opens Canary Wharf hub

Mortgage and protection brokerage Access Financial Services has opened a new London office in...

Technology partners will be key as lenders navigate product volatility

Mortgage lenders are increasingly relying on trusted technology partners to manage product volatility and ensure brokers receive accurate, timely information, according to Mortgage Brain. The mortgage technology provider said feedback from its latest lender survey highlights the growing importance of platforms capable of delivering fast...