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…


17/05/2013 by Simon

The Building Societies Association (BSA) has revealed that mutual lenders increased their mortgage lending by 19% year-on-year, in the first three months of 2013, from £6.5billion to £7.7billion. ...

Categories: Mortgages, Buy to let, Mortgage Lenders, Interest rates, Remortgaging, Moving Home, Commercial, Home Mover

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12/02/2013 by Drew

Marsden Building Society has just launched a 3.99% fixed rate to 31/7/15 for LTVs up to 90%, which is available for both purchases and remortgages. Not only is this the first time for nearly 10 years that the 4% barrier has been...

Categories: Home Mover, Interest rates, Buy to let, First time buyers

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01/02/2013 by Simon

The Bank Of England’s Funding For Lending scheme (FLS) has been hailed by many as the saviour of the mortgage market, however there are an increasing number of critics claiming that once again it’s the banks that are the biggest...

Categories: Moving Home, Home Mover

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19/11/2012 by Drew

A broker has just claimed that last month they saw the largest take up of two year fixed rates so far this year, mainly on the back of lenders raising their Standard Variable Rates (SVR) over the past few months! Not an earth...

Categories: Mortgages, Interest rates, Mortgage Lenders, Long term fixed rates, Fixed rate mortgages, First time buyers, Remortgaging, Moving Home, Home Mover

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17/10/2012 by Drew

Nationwide’s decision to cease all new interest only lending, and only allow existing borrowers to take additional funds on a repayment basis, is the latest example of lenders (predominantly the larger high street  ones) trying to...

Categories: Mortgages, Interest rates, Mortgage Lenders, Remortgaging, Moving Home, Home Mover

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31/05/2012 by Ray Boulger

John Charcol can’t claim to have been providing mortgage advice over the whole of the last 60 years but, having been formed in 1974, we believe that John Charcol is the longest established mortgage broker in the UK.

House Price...

Categories: Commercial, Home Mover, Moving Home

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22/11/2011 by Drew

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

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26/08/2010 by Drew

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

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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 Conduct 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 Conduct 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 FCA 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.