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…
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
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
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
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
25/09/2008 by
Anyone trying to choose a mortgage at the moment may well feel like their head is spinning, with rates yo-yoing and even the experts finding it hard to predict what news the next days and weeks might bring. While many people...
Categories: Mortgages, Interest rates, Tracker mortgages, Fixed rate mortgages
19/08/2008 by
More good news for the mortgage market with the announcement from Lloyds TSB that it is cutting its mortgage rates for the second time in two weeks amid signs that real levels of competition are returning to the market. The...
Categories: Mortgages, Interest rates, Tracker mortgages, Fixed rate mortgages
14/08/2008 by
To say the mortgage market has been an enigma of late would be an understatement of epic proportions. With news, most of it negative, emanating on a daily basis, borrowers could be forgiven for not knowing whether to fix, track,...
Categories: Mortgages, Interest rates, Tracker mortgages, Fixed rate mortgages
13/08/2008 by
I am reliably informed that one of the most popular mortgage search terms for mortgages on www.google.co.uk is for cheap mortgages; after all, everyone likes a bargain. ...
Categories: Mortgages, Interest rates, Fixed rate mortgages, Tracker mortgages
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.