First-time buyers

First-time buyers and buy-to-let are not rivals

As we move further into 2026, a familiar narrative is starting to reappear. It...

Gen H expands into Scotland with affordability-led income booster

Residential mortgage lender Gen H has launched in Scotland, extending its lending proposition north...

Younger borrowers more likely to face mortgage advice fees, research finds

Younger home buyers are far more likely than older borrowers to be charged for...

The Coventry cuts selected intermediary residential fixed rates

Coventry for intermediaries has reduced a number of residential fixed-rate products for new and...

The Buckinghamshire lowers rates across key ranges

Buckinghamshire Building Society has cut rates across a wide spread of residential and buy-to-let...

Michael Day on why conditional selling remains an industry flashpoint

Conditional selling remains one of the most persistent and contentious issues facing the UK...

February rate cut looks unlikely as affordability pressures linger

Hopes of an early interest rate cut are fading making it increasingly likely the...

Housing market yet to pick up pace after budget

Two-thirds of property professionals say the housing market is no busier than it was...

Santander unveils 98% LTV five-year fix for first-time buyers

Santander UK has launched a new five-year fixed mortgage at 98% loan-to-value aimed at...

One in three first-time buyers house-hunting with deposits of at least 25%

A significant minority of first-time buyers searching for mortgages are entering the market with...

House price growth ticks up as affordability boosts buyers

UK house price growth edged higher in January with values rising modestly as improving...

TOM BILL: Rate cut expectations fade amid mixed signals

Borrowing costs have risen in recent weeks for reasons that include stronger-than-expected UK economic...

Millions of homes still fail decency tests despite energy gains

Millions of homes in England continue to fall short of basic quality standards even...

UK housing market steadies as tax-driven volatility fades

UK property transactions stabilised at the end of 2025, with residential sales holding firm...

COMMENT

The case for tech fluency before AI adoption in the mutual sector

It often feels like there is only one conversation taking place in financial services at the moment: artificial intelligence. Whether it’s trade shows and...

Commonhold and RTM: do not mistake control for simplicity

Commonhold is presented as a fairer form of flat ownership. Right to Manage (RTM) is sometimes portrayed as a quick way for residents to...

No holidays: advice firms need a plan for a busy August

Every summer, the same quiet risk runs through the intermediary market. Advisers, case managers and administrators go on holiday. Specialist lending cases, which have...

Every rate shock is becoming a test of the modern mortgage business

Halifax, Barclays and HSBC increased selected mortgage rates by up to 0.20% this week, effective 21 July. Halifax removed its sub-4% deals entirely. Barclays'...

Your next client is probably more complicated than your last one

There's a shift happening in the mortgage market that most small firms aren't ready for. It's not about rates. It's not about the political...

Latest news

Final call for views on FCA mortgage reforms

The mortgage industry has until tomorrow to respond to Financial Conduct Authority proposals intended...

One in five borrow to fund private healthcare

Almost one in five people who recently accessed private healthcare used a credit card...

Digital mortgage ID checks unaffected by government U-turn

Digital identity verification used by mortgage lenders, brokers and other regulated firms is unaffected...

Family BS launches broker Mortgage Hub

Family Building Society has launched an online mortgage application platform designed to give brokers...

PROFILES