First-time buyers

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...

Government policies undermining housing targets

Government intervention is actively undermining the UK’s ability to meet its housing targets as...

Intergenerational gifting reaches record level among equity release customers

More retirees are using equity release to support family members and fund improvements that...

Mortgage pressure eases as rates fall

Mortgage affordability is on track to return to levels last seen in 2021 offering...

Housing market steadies as rates fall and choice rises

Buyer confidence is returning to the UK housing market at the start of 2026...

NatWest launches 6 x income and broker WhatsApp support

NatWest is giving buyers and remortgagers a major lift increasing loan-to-income (LTI) limits for...

Affordable areas drive house price growth

Lower-priced areas delivered the strongest house price growth in 2025 as affordability, connectivity and...

COMMENT

Kevin Tunnicliffe on ending the race to the bottom

This was always going to be a tricky interview. I’ve known Kevin Tunnicliffe, chief executive officer of Sort Group, which includes Sort Refer, for...

Beyond the Robo-Adviser: why the future of mortgages is ‘Human Plus’

The fintech industry is obsessing over a binary choice: the traditional human broker or the fully automated 'robo-adviser'. But as we navigate the complexities...

Ceasefire boosts sentiment more than mortgage market

What goes up must come down, but for mortgage rates the drop will be notably more gradual than the sharp increase triggered by the...

A surge today, but what comes next for advisers and conveyancing?

March has provided a very clear example of how quickly this market can move when lenders feel the need to take action, with widespread...

Technology adapts so you don’t have to

20 years ago, many brokerages looked and operated in very similar ways. Typically small, local business, many firms focused solely on standard residential mortgage...

Latest news

HSBC cuts mortgage rates by up to 34bps across core ranges

HSBC UK has reduced mortgage rates across its product range, with cuts of up...

Atom bank reduces prime mortgage rates by up to 25bps

Atom bank has cut rates across its prime mortgage range by as much as...

Family Building Society restores 60% LTV deals and cuts rates

Family Building Society has reintroduced 60% loan-to-value products across its core owner-occupier range and...

Recognise Bank appoints EveryFriday to deliver brand overhaul

Recognise Bank has appointed creative studio EveryFriday to lead a full rebrand as it...

PROFILES