Latest News
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Landlords Feel “Squeezed Out” of Rental Sector
A recent study conducted by Yorkshire Building Society (YBS) has surfaced alarming sentiments among landlords in the UK. The report indicates that a majority of landlords perceive themselves as being edged out of the rental market. Moreover, there’s a prevailing sentiment that the allure of being a landlord is diminishing rapidly. Interest Rates on the…
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The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme: A Beacon of Hope?
The government’s mortgage guarantee scheme, launched in April 2021, aimed to ease this journey by enabling first-time buyers and home movers to secure 95% loans. This means that buyers only need to come up with a 5% deposit themselves. But is this scheme really making home ownership more accessible for single buyers on average salaries?…
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UK Remortgage Rates Drop, Offering a Reprieve for Homeowners
The UK housing market is an ever-changing landscape, often affected by economic pressures and regulatory decisions. In a significant turn of events, homeowners may breathe a sigh of relief as remortgage rates begin to fall, indicating potential savings and stability after a period of financial turbulence. The Current Climate: Falling Remortgage Rates Recent decisions by…
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House Price Falls Until 2025 Forecast
Despite the economic headwinds faced by the UK, including rising interest rates and the increased cost of living, the housing market has shown remarkable resilience. According to JLL, although there is an expected decline in house prices, the downturn is projected to be less severe than the one experienced during the 2008 global financial crisis.…
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Buy-to-Let Mortgage Affordability – What Does it Mean?
Most landlords in the UK finance their rental properties through buy-to-let mortgages. For newcomers to the property rental market, there’s an even higher likelihood that a buy-to-let mortgage will be necessary to kickstart your investment. However, with the steady rise in average buy-to-let mortgage interest rates in recent times, what does this mean for your…
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BoE Holds Base Rate – What Does it Mean for Mortgages?
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to keep the base rate steady at 5.25%. For those keeping tabs, this marks the second time they’ve paused on altering this crucial rate after a series of 14 increases that began in December 2021. For those with mortgages or considering stepping into the housing…
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Capital Gains Tax: What Landlords Need to Know
The jargon and technicalities surrounding capital gains tax (CGT) can make it seem like a complex beast. However, once broken down, it’s relatively straightforward. The Daily Mail had a useful overview of what CGT is, how it affects you, and the recent changes. What is Capital Gains Tax (CGT)? CGT is a tax applied on…
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Rental Market Squeeze: Demand Soars but Homes Stay Scarce
According to the latest Housing Insight report by Propertymark, the letting agents’ main representative body, the amount of rental properties available is alarmingly low. In September 2023, on average, each member branch had only 11 properties up for rent. And if you thought that’s a significant drop from the previous months, it’s interesting to note…
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Bridging Loan Completion Times Rising
The latest Bridging Trends data highlights the increase in bridging loan completion times. The time it took to complete a bridging loan extended from an average of 58 days in Q2 2023 to 62 days in Q3 2023. This delay is believed to be due to the “summer lull,” a seasonal slowdown that impacts many…
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New Buy-to-Let Mortgage Combines Personal and Rental Income
One of the major challenges faced by aspiring landlords and property investors is securing the necessary financing for their ventures. Traditional affordability assessments, which largely focus on rental income, have sometimes proven to be a stumbling block for many. Enter Molo Finance’s latest innovation. Molo Finance, a digital lending platform, has unveiled an enhanced affordability…