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


28/10/2009 by Drew

In a welcome sign that the market is continuing to ease, Nationwide is increasing its loan to value on a number of its tracker products to 85%.  This is welcome news for many consumers who have been unable to get on the property...

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08/10/2009 by Drew

Today’s no change decision may be a bit of a non event but there is at last some action back in the mortgage market.  September saw the usual seasonal upturn and over the last few days we have at last started to see some real...

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08/09/2009 by Drew

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...

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Categories: Interest rates, House Prices, Mortgages

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20/08/2009 by Drew

Rates

Bank Of England rate  - 0.5%  - kept on hold (next decision 10th September)
ECB  rate kept on hold at 1%  - (next decision 3rd September)  

Expectations were growing in the City last night that interest rates could remain at...

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19/08/2009 by Drew

Rates

•    Bank Of England rate  - 0.5%  - kept on hold (next decision 10th September)
•    ECB  rate kept on hold at 1%  - (next decision 3rd September) 

Minutes of the MPC meeting on 6 August reveal that the Governor of the Bank...

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09/07/2009 by Drew

The MPC’s decision today to leave Bank Rate unchanged for another month was really the only possible conclusion and the committee probably spent more time discussing the Quantitative Easing (QE) programme than whether to change...

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06/07/2009 by Drew

Regular readers of the money press will be aware that the recent hot topic has been whether to fix or not.  Up until now the overwhelming evidence has pointed towards fixing being the right thing to do.  However, the best fixed...

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30/06/2009 by Drew

According to the latest survey from the Nationwide, UK house prices rose by 0.9% in June, the third rise in the past four months, and shrank the annual rate of decline to just 9.3%, from 11.3% in May.

The increase in prices during...

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17/06/2009 by Drew

Latest John Charcol Monthly Mortgage Index shows purchases now represent over half of all new mortgage applications

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12/06/2009 by Drew

According to the CML, the number of loans handed out for house purchases in the UK rose by 16% in April compared with the previous month. However the figure remains 28% down on the same month the previous year. The data is bound...

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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.