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
09/11/2010 by
Enquiries for remortgaging spiked in October as many mortgage borrowers looked to see if they are currently in the best place. With constant stories of doom and gloom and the impact of the Consumer Spending Review starting to...
Categories: Remortgaging, Variable mortgages, Fixed rate mortgages, Mortgages
07/10/2010 by
Now that Bank Rate has remained at 0.5% for 19 months a new milestone has been passed. Bank Rate, which has had various names over the years, has now been unchanged for the longest period since the Second World War.
After a false...
Categories: Mortgages, Long term fixed rates, Tracker mortgages, Fixed rate mortgages
26/08/2010 by
In July 2010, the proportion of purchase business transacted by John Charcol was the highest it has been for many, many years. Click here for the full report.
Categories: Buy to let, Mortgages, Tracker mortgages, Fixed rate mortgages, Home Mover, Remortgaging
11/01/2010 by
With Yorkshire Building Society announcing cuts from today across the board in its fixed rates, they become the latest lender to cut rates despite a static bank rate and swap rates at the top end of their recent trading range. ...
Categories: Fixed rate mortgages, Mortgages, Interest rates
08/09/2009 by
Rates
Bank Of England rate - 0.5% - kept on hold (next decision 10th September)
ECB rate kept on hold at 1% - (next decision 8th October)
A meeting of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), which consists of the...
Categories: Interest rates, House Prices, Mortgages
08/05/2009 by
We have heard from a number of lenders today about putting the rates on their best fixed rate mortgages up. If you are thinking about one then the message is clear, get in quick. To have a look at the current selection of the...
Categories: Mortgages, Long term fixed rates
23/02/2009 by
Northern Rock is set to return to the mortgage market with a £14bn lending plan only 12 months after it was nationalised. The nationalised bank will also offer deals up to 90 per cent loan to value, a level that has been severely...
Categories: Mortgages, Interest rates, Mortgage Lenders, Government
21/11/2008 by
The historic cut in interest rates of 2% over the last two months has seen many mortgage borrowers’ monthly payments reduce dramatically. You should, if you can, maintain pre-cut payments and use the low interest rate environment...
Categories: Mortgages, Interest rates, Mortgage Lenders, Tracker mortgages
27/10/2008 by
The Markets suffer yet again, particularly the Far East :-
Nikkei (-6.4%) lowest level for 26 years
South Korea - Kospi (+0.8) following rate cut of 75bps
Hang Seng (-12.7%) biggest single day fall since 1991
China - Shanghai...
Categories: Interest rates, House Prices, Mortgages, Mortgage Lenders
16/10/2008 by
Another bad day for the markets yesterday, with the Dow finishing 733 down, the Nikkei 1,089 and most other indices were in negative territory. It is also not looking promising today as the FTSE slips below 4,000 in early...
Categories: Mortgages, Interest rates, Mortgage Lenders
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.