Opinions & blogs

Four years on, buy-to-let is still strong

Four years ago this month we embarked upon a new chapter, starting up Fleet...

The Christmas clock is ticking…

“So, here it is, Merry Christmas, everybody’s having fun...” Too early for you? My apologies,...

Not smooth sailing for FCA comparison tool development

When the FCA’s Mortgages Market Study Interim Report came out, there were a number...

Pity those stuck in a mortgage Twilight Zone

It’s a strange old world isn’t it? For instance, I often wonder what those...

Three average Joes

Let’s look at the retirement situation of three ‘average Joes’. Joe 1 is an average...

All advisers can benefit from specialist distributor expertise

There is an old saying that states that if you are multi-disciplined in your...

Provide an autumn boost to your business

This time of the year tends to feel like new beginnings – even if...

Find the technology that can work for you – today

It’s not difficult to get sucked into reading stories about what the future may...

Time for big ‘gesture politics’ to aid first-time buyers

The plight of first-time buyers is never far out of the news, and just...

Surveying the product transfer battleground

UK Finance’s publication of the first raft of product transfer data has certainly caused...

The value of experience

I’m always intrigued by the way other businesses are run – sometimes I look...

Housing wealth is now part of mainstream retirement planning

Just look at the latest equity release lending figures from the Equity Release Council....

Second charge lender access is good for sector…

I am all in favour of more second charge lenders opening up direct access...

Transaction falls don’t tell the whole story

When we put together the LendInvest Buy to Let Index every quarter, we bring...

COMMENT

Mortgage maturity: A golden opportunity for advisers

Around 1.8 million fixed-rate mortgage deals are due to come to an end in 2026, adding to the 1.6 million mortgages that already matured...

Rates are moving and regulation is evolving

Many lenders are having to increase their rates, and that trend looks set to continue over the coming week. For clients whose current deal...

Building tomorrow’s mortgage market: AI built on trust, governance and confidence

The government's Financial Services AI Adoption Plan, led by Harriet Rees, group chief information officer at Starling Bank, and Dr Rohit Dhawan, group director...

The protection prompt: what AI still needs to get right

The Mills Review has prompted plenty of discussion across the mortgage industry. While much of the focus has been on the finding that a...

Why second charges are helping Right to Buy borrowers do more with their home

For many people, Right to Buy is still one of the most accessible ways to become a homeowner and over the last five years,...

Latest news

First-time buyer squeeze deepens as mortgage rates climb

First-time buyers with small deposits face mounting pressure as average mortgage rates rise and...

Mortgage costs push sales 9% lower

Higher mortgage rates have contributed to a sharper-than-usual summer housing slowdown, with sales agreed...

Access FS appoints Alan Baldwin as compliance director

Access Financial Services has appointed Alan Baldwin as director of compliance as it expands...

Mortgage-backed Swansea auction sale completes in six days

A mortgage-financed property purchase in Swansea has completed six days after the draft contract...

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