CPI Figures to Push Up Mortgage Rates Although today's CPI figures show a fall to 8.7% the fall was less than expected and more worryingly core inflation increased from 6.2% to 6.8%. The comment in…
How Have the 100% Borrowers of the Noughties Fared? 100% mortgages which didn’t rely on family help were last available back in 2007 and I suspect a large majority of first-time buyers who borrowed…
A Review of Skipton’s Residential Track Record Mortgage Skipton Building Society’s launch of the first 100% LTV mortgage since 2008 which does not require family support is not only welcome for FTBs…
Interest Rates and House Prices Although the initial media focus on February’s Bank Rate decision was on the 0.5% increase, that was not the most important part of the MPC’s announcement. Arriving at…
Ray Boulger Autumn Statement Update There is plenty in the Autumn Statement to be negative about but most comments completely ignore where Sunak and Hunt were starting from and the counterfactual…
SDLT Threshold Increase for FTBs Exposes Inequity in Life ISA Limit The recent increase in the threshold from £300,000 to £425,000 for FTBs (first-time buyers) to start paying SDLT (Stamp Duty Land…
Mortgage Rates and Housing Transaction Numbers Ray Boulger goes through what's happening in the market right now and how mortgage rates and transaction numbers will be affected. The SDLT (Stamp Duty…
The FPC Misses Open Goal to Reflect Mortgage Product Changes Since 2014 The FPC has announced the abolition of its requirement for lenders to use a 3% margin to stress test mortgages with an initial…
The Financial Policy Committee’s Mortgage Stress Test Consultation Most lenders and brokers consider that the Financial Policy Committee’s (FPC) stress test and flow limit test have survived well…
The Effect (or Lack of It) of the NI Increase on Mortgage Affordability The increased National Insurance rates applying from this week have focused interest on what impact this will have on mortgage…
