Blogs

Reasons to be positive

The first two months of 2024 have certainly been more positive for the market...

Housebuilding – how can we keep getting it so wrong?

As Housing Secretary, Michael Gove, once again makes promises to tackle the housing crisis...

Including shared ownership in the FTB conversation

Following a far more encouraging end to 2023 across the housing and mortgage markets,...

A government boost for downsizers would help us all

With good reason, a lot of energy and activity is focused on and around...

Credit ‘blips’ are not limited to low income clients

It’s easy to focus on the challenges faced by those on lower incomes at...

Commercial conversions can deliver for developers and landlords alike

If there is one thing that everyone in the housing market will agree on,...

Challenging market sees uptick in ARs

For anyone in the mortgage market, especially networks, there is always one table that...

Tapping into semi-commercial opportunities

It has been a tough few years for buy-to-let (BTL) landlords with higher interest...

Fixating on those specialist opportunities

I’m sure that we will see a number of twists, turns and shifts in...

In later life lending, labels matter

Ours is an industry where language matters. Where what we say to each other...

How will the PT market play out?

When does political speak such as, ‘We always keep these types of things under...

Landlord purchase business to continue growth trajectory

The buy-to-let market has started 2024 at a fair old lick with plenty of...

Flexibility through remortgaging

Every January, the new year ushers in the chance for change, the opportunity to...

Specialist lenders will help first-time buyers in 2024

First up, may I wish you all a very happy new year and, despite...

COMMENT

Your clients can’t tell which firm they’re dealing with

Two clients walk into your firm in the same week. One of them is a referral from a mate of yours. Complicated case, self-employed, bit...

It’s time to look at retention

As the summer winds down and the back-to-school routine kicks back in, I urge the industry to turn its attention to something just as...

Landlords are buying – and advisers should take note

There has been no shortage of commentary over recent years suggesting landlords are heading for the exit, buy-to-let apparently no longer works and the...

Why energy efficiency is hiding mortgage portfolio risk

For years, ESG strategies across the UK mortgage sector have operated under a relatively straightforward principle: better Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings equal lower...

Affordability shocks and expiring deals: why the 2026 mortgage peak demands a holistic protection review

I speak to mortgage advisers and brokers every day, and one topic keeps coming up - the sheer number of mortgage deals coming to...

Latest news

Financial stress figures put customer vulnerability checks in focus

Financial services firms should take a more proactive approach to identifying customers who may...

Stamp duty blamed as home moves fall to once every 21 years

Stamp duty is deterring millions of people from moving home and restricting opportunities for...

Plug-in solar panels pose new insurance risks for property sector

Insurers, brokers, landlords and property owners have been urged to assess the risks presented...

Pepper Money reduces residential and buy-to-let rates

Pepper Money has cut rates across its residential and buy-to-let mortgage ranges and launched...

PROFILES