Impact of a Big Stamp Duty Cut The report in yesterday’s Times that the Chancellor will tomorrow increase the nil rate SDLT (Stamp Duty Land Tax) band to £500,000 for a limited period - probably a…
The Effects of COVID-19: Valuations Following imposition of the lock down, unforeseen consequences in the housing market, as everything else, are becoming more apparent every day. Following…
The Effects of COVID-19: Bank Rate is Cut to 0.1% Today (19/03/2020) the Bank Rate fell to 0.01% after falling to 0.25% on Tuesday. Now could be the time to remortgage or port. Although the UK and…
My Forecasts for 2020 After the Parliamentary stalemate for nearly all of 2019, politics is likely to have a much greater impact on markets in 2020. Boris’ larger than expected majority now provides…
Hodge Launches the First RIO with a Fixed Rate for Term Hodge has become the first lender to launch a RIO (retirement interest-only) mortgage with a rate fixed for life, whereas in the mainstream…
Long Term Fixed Rate Mortgages – Why Stop at 15 Years? The interest rate yield curves are currently very narrow, but the swap rate curve is exceptionally flat. The interest rate yield curves are…
Gilt Yields Fall to Record Lows - Impact on Fixed Rate Mortgages Ray gives an update on the market today with gilt yields continuing to fall and the impact on fixed rates mortgages. As well as…
Should Lenders Take Precautions Against Organisations Like Extinction Rebellion? On Tuesday’s Today programme (17.7.19, interview starts 1hr. 33mins in) the former head of counter terrorism at…
Regarding the FCA’s Recent Proposals The FCA recently published proposals for changes to its mortgage sales requirements. The following were outlined in the May CP at 2.23. “We are proposing to…
Help to Buy Second Charge Equity Share Mortgage Ray Boulger analyses the positive and negative effects of the government's Help to Buy Equity Loan Scheme. In response to a John Charcol blog respected…
