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


25/05/2011 by Drew

The latest John Charcol Mortgage Index confirms the declining popularity of fixed rates, with only 41.0% of clients choosing a fixed rate in April, down from 50.5% in March and 56.1% in February, which was the strongest month for...

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10/03/2011 by Drew

It is abundantly clear from the recent speeches and other comments from several MPC members that there is more disagreement among its members than ever before. However, with the recently revised GDP figures for not only the last...

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02/02/2011 by Drew

The last few weeks have unquestionably been a rollercoaster in the mortgage market.  Lenders are looking to get just the right amount of business on their books before removing their market-leading mortgages from the market.  ...

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19/01/2011 by Drew

The rise in inflation has caused widespread panic in some areas of the press that rates are about to soar and that everyone should jump into a fixed rate.  Trying to pick apart all of this and cover everyone's different situations...

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17/01/2011 by Drew

A survey from specialist buy to let lender Paragon Group reports that strong demand for rental properties and improving finance conditions have led to 71% of landlords being optimistic about the outlook for 2011. ...

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Categories: Buy to let, Mortgages, Interest rates

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17/01/2011 by Drew

Central London residential rents rose by 2.2 percent in the final quarter of 2010 according to the latest research by a leading estate agent. ...

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Categories: Buy to let, Mortgages

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17/01/2011 by Drew

Hometrack data seems to be predicting a repeat of 2010. Prices on houses are expected to decline more, by at least another 2%. The standard base rate is expected to remain at 0.5% just as it sat throughout 2010. The number of...

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Categories: Mortgages, Remortgaging, Media, Commercial

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17/01/2011 by Drew

The remortgage market is likely to have passed its lowest point and will see an increase in activity this year, according to, well, us...

Those looking for the best mortgage rates will be interested to hear that Ray Boulger, our...

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Categories: Remortgaging, Mortgages

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17/01/2011 by Drew

Housebuilder Barratt has teamed up with Hitachi Capital to offer parents a new way of helping their children get on to the property ladder. ...

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Categories: First time buyers, Mortgages

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17/01/2011 by Drew

A scheme to help first-time buyers in the Isle of Man has been so successful that the Department of Social Care is to ask Tynwald for an extra £2.8m.  It will pay for financial assistance given to more than 120 people, within...

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Categories: First time buyers, Mortgages

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Terms & conditions

Your initial mortgage consultation is obligation free. There will be a minimum fee for our mortgage service of £450, of which £150 is payable when you apply, and we will retain the commission from the mortgage lender. Alternatively, you can choose the fee only option which is typically 0.65% of the amount borrowed. The precise amount will depend on your circumstances and mortgage loan amount, and will be discussed and agreed before you make a mortgage application.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR ANY DEBT SECURED ON IT

Legals

John Charcol is a trading style of Towergate Financial (West) Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority; our registration number is 147692. John Charcol Associates LLP is an appointed representative of Towergate Financial (West) Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.  Registered office: Towergate House, Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3EN. Registered in England No: 02292688.  This mortgage site is only directed at persons within the UK.   The FSA does not regulate some investment mortgage contracts.  Calls may be recorded for training and monitoring. Max call charge from a BT landline is 3.9p per minute. Calls from other networks may vary.