Possible shift to rate rises

Published on

Recent predictions about possible mortgage rate rises could be starting to crystallise, according to the latest product data analysis from Mortgage Brain.

While its six-month analysis shows the cost of mortgages to be levelling out – with a mix of small rise and falls – the past three months have seen increases in the cost of the majority of mainstream products.

Mortgage Brain’s product data (as of 1 January 2017) shows that the cost of a two-year tracker with a 90% LTV has gone up by 8% over the past three months. Similarly, a 90% LTV two-year fixed now costs 5% more than it did in October 2016.

Marginal increases of around 1% over the past quarter have also been recorded for 60% LTV two-year tracker and fixed mortgages, a 60% LTV three and five-year fixed, and a 2% increase for a 90% LTV three-year fixed mortgage.

In monetary terms, the 8% increase for the 90% two-year tracker equates to an annualised increase of £576 on a £150,000 mortgage, and a £342 annualised increase for the 90% two-year fixed product.

Despite this, however, Mortgage Brain’s latest data showing that the cost of the lowest rate five-year tracker (60% LTV) is now 18% lower than it was three months ago.

With a current rate of 1.79%, the reduction in cost for this product equates to a potential annualised saving of £1,674.

Mortgage Brain’s longer term analysis also shows strong year on year reductions spanning the past four years. The cost of a 90% LTV two-year tracker, for example, is now 19% lower than it was in January 2013. A 90% LTV two and five-year fixed mortgage are both 17% cheaper, and a 60% two-year tracker and two-year fixed are both 16% lower than they were four years ago.

Mark Lofthouse, CEO of Mortgage Brain, said: “It’s perhaps still a little too early to predict that mortgage rates are rising and that this trend will continue. However, our latest analysis is starting to show signs that we may finally be moving away from the long period of record lows in terms of mortgage rates and costs to a period of stability, or potentially, rises.

“While our long term analysis still shows that borrowers can benefit from a number of savings, with healthy cost reductions and low rates still available, there has been a clear shift over the past three months with cost rises across the majority of products analysed.”

COMMENT ON MORTGAGE SOUP

We want to hear from you!
Leave a comment and get the conversation started.
You need to register to post, so please login or sign up below.

Latest articles

HLPartnership adds Handelsbanken to lender panel

HLPartnership has added Handelsbanken to its lender panel as part of its ongoing strategy...

FCA warns consumers over ineffective credit builder products

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned that many credit builder products fail to...

Affordability pressures deepen in Wales and North East as rental divergence widens

Regional divergence within the UK’s private rented sector has become more pronounced, with new...

Santander lowers mortgage pricing and unveils new large loan options

Santander is set to cut its residential fixed mortgage rates by up to 0.14...

The Cambridge invests £1m to tackle inequality and housing challenges

The Cambridge Building Society is investing £1 million into Greater Cambridge Impact, a social...

Latest publication

Other news

HLPartnership adds Handelsbanken to lender panel

HLPartnership has added Handelsbanken to its lender panel as part of its ongoing strategy...

FCA warns consumers over ineffective credit builder products

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned that many credit builder products fail to...

Affordability pressures deepen in Wales and North East as rental divergence widens

Regional divergence within the UK’s private rented sector has become more pronounced, with new...