Mortgages

Inside Mortgages

�250m boost for first-time buyers

Wednesday, 23 March 2011

First-time buyers struggling to raise a deposit received a boost today with the announcement of a new scheme to help them get on to the property ladder.

Tough new mortgage rules relaxed

Tuesday, 22 March 2011

The City watchdog showed signs today of easing the tough affordability criteria lenders must use as part of its overhaul of the mortgage market.

Mortgage lending stalls

Friday, 18 March 2011

Mortgage lending stalled during February as potential buyers continued to sit on their hands in the face of economic uncertainty.

Australian dream still strong for UK buyers

Sunday, 13 March 2011

Despite the weak state of the pound, British interest in Antipodean property has soared over the dark winter months. Alison Shepherd reports

Simon Read: Mis-sold a mortgage? Don't use rogue firms

Saturday, 12 March 2011

Ambulance chasers are becoming a major blight on the financial services industry. I'm talking about the claims management firms that contact people suggesting they may have been mis-sold a loan or mortgage. When folk hear the word "compensation" of course they're interested. But there's simply no need to go through – and pay – an intermediary to get recompense if you've been mis-sold by a bank or other lender.

Mortgage lending dives by 29%

Friday, 11 March 2011

Mortgage lending for house purchase dived by 29% during January as consumers were spooked by rising taxes and Government spending cuts.

Five Questions About: 90 per cent mortgages

Saturday, 5 March 2011

The 90 per cent mortgage is back on the high street

Friday, 4 March 2011

Could first-time buyers be back in business? The lot of FTBs has been a rough one during the past three years since lenders – fearful of defaulting borrowers and negative equity amid a stagnant housing market – have tightened the reins on home loans.

Mortgage lending bounced back in January

Tuesday, 1 March 2011

Mortgage lending bounced back during January as the property market recovered some of the ground it lost due to the severe winter weather in December, figures showed today.

16% 'find mortgage payments harder'

Monday, 28 February 2011

One in six homeowners are finding it harder to keep up with their monthly repayments, despite mortgage affordability reaching its best level for 10 years, research suggested today.

As repossessions rise, so does the risk of a return to sale-and-rent-back scams

Sunday, 27 February 2011

Many families will face the agonising choice of losing their homes or becoming tenants, but a quick-fix option could prove very costly

Five Questions About: Standard variable rate

Saturday, 26 February 2011

By Clare Francis, moneysupermarket.com

Home loan market remains flat

Thursday, 24 February 2011

The number of mortgages approved for home purchases was broadly flat over January, indicating continued weakness in the housing market, according to the latest figures from the British Bankers' Association.

New home loans stuck at low level

Wednesday, 23 February 2011

The number of mortgages approved for house purchase remained close to a two-year low in January as activity in the property market remained subdued.

Lloyds to pay £500m to mortgage holders

Tuesday, 22 February 2011

'Goodwill' payments will be made to 300,000 Halifax borrowers

Lender fined over mortgage failings

Tuesday, 22 February 2011

A sub-prime lender has been fined �840,000 and told to pay �1.5m in compensation for irresponsible lending practices.

Now it's the tenant's turn to get gazumped

Sunday, 20 February 2011

The practice that destroyed so many house purchases has invaded the rental sector as demand outstrips supply. Chiara Cavaglieri reports

Mortgage market starts year with steep decline

Friday, 18 February 2011

The mortgage market started the year on the back foot with lending diving by 13% in January, figures showed today.

Ministers' alarm as door slams on first-time buyers

Wednesday, 16 February 2011

Emergency talks on the crisis in the housing market were launched yesterday amid growing alarm among ministers that a generation could be priced out of buying their own home.

'No easy fix' to help first-time buyers

Wednesday, 16 February 2011

There is no "magic bullet" that will remove the problems faced by first-time house buyers, Michael Coogan, director-general of the Council of Mortgage Lenders, warned yesterday. He told the First-Time Buyers summit called by the Housing minister, Grant Shapps, that mortgage insurance, shared ownership and product innovation could all potentially help, but that returning to a normal mortgage market was likely to be a gradual process, as confidence was restored.