Mortgages & me
Bringing both explanation and humour (yes, it is possible) to an often perceived realm of boredom
Mortgages. Let’s not kid ourselves here. If you had the choice of having one or not then there would be no choice. However, the vast majority of us, Russian billionaires excluded, need them to fuel that much loved British tradition – homeownership. So, if we all accept that we need them, you may as well do something positive and get the best one for you. It is staggering how many people make sure they get value for money from every day items but do not manage their home loan properly - the savings far outweigh the difference between the best baked beans and the value ones.
So, this blog will attempt to look at the world of mortgages and the housing market and try to bring both explanation and humour (yes, it is possible), and spark some comment, to an oft perceived realm of boredom. Here goes…
Drew Wotherspoon
05/01/2012 by
It’s that moment when you’ve secured what you wanted, but then the adviser/salesperson begins their scripted spiel on the virtues of their insurance, and why you should have it. As usual we listen politely, before declining....
09/12/2011 by
Guest Blog, Alistair Hargreaves, Mortgage Consultant.
Is everything really going wrong? Looking at the response to the budget, especially around housing and you would certainly think so. Don’t get me wrong; it’s tough out there...
Categories: First time buyers, Fixed rate mortgages, Tracker mortgages
08/12/2011 by
TODAY'S MPC MEETING A SIDESHOW WITH ALL EYES ON THE ECB MEETING
• Eurozone crisis Summit will Determine the Fate of he Euro
Ray Boulger of leading independent mortgage adviser John Charcol comments on the news that the MPC...
Categories: Mortgages, Interest rates, House Prices, First time buyers, Remortgaging, Moving Home
25/11/2011 by
Following reports in the press that First Time Buyers aren’t aware of the return of High LTV’s (Loan To Value), we thought it worth making a bit of a splash about this. ...
Categories: Long term fixed rates, Tracker mortgages, Fixed rate mortgages, First time buyers, Mortgages, Interest rates
22/11/2011 by
HSBC’s recent claim that “81% of all best buys are provided by direct lenders” seems to have missed out on the vital point of it’s only a “Best Buy” if you can actually get it. If you can’t it might as well be on the moon. “How do...
Categories: Mortgages, Mortgage Lenders, Tracker mortgages, Fixed rate mortgages, First time buyers, Remortgaging, Moving Home, Home Mover, Buy to let
06/10/2011 by
Despite much speculation of a shock rate cute, the unchanged Bank Rate was very much par for the course. However it was the MPC’s decision to increase QE by as much as £75bn, (utilised over the next 4 months), which has caught...
30/09/2011 by
In the past few days we have seen a major lender hike their Tracker Rates and Arrangement Fees, as a result of a rise in the cost of funds which is linked to recent increases in the Libor rates. ...
21/07/2011 by
Two new innovative FTB only mortgages available up to 95% LTV have been launched this month, one from Saffron B S and the other from Newbury B S. ...
06/07/2011 by
John Charcol has launched a ground-breaking new "track and fix" mortgage that is the perfect answer to the current uncertainty on the future movement of interest rates. The mortgage initially tracks Bank Rate for 2 years (until...
13/06/2011 by
• An extended period with Bank Rate at 0.5% looks increasingly likely
• Biggest focus of interest this month will be on how newbie Ben Broadbent votes
Ray Boulger of leading independent mortgage adviser John Charcol comments on...
The blog postings on this site solely reflect the personal views of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views, positions, strategies or opinions of John Charcol. All comments are made in good faith, and neither John Charcol nor Drew Wotherspoon will accept liability for them.