With over 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry, Ste Froom has dedicated his career to helping people navigate the often complex journey of securing the right mortgage.
Research from Yopa indicates that the majority of buyers are looking for homes that require little to no work. According to the survey, 54% of people who bought a home in the last year were only prepared to make minor cosmetic changes to their new home. Meanwhile, 23% were looking for a fully modernised ‘turnkey’ […]
Analysis from Moneyfacts shows how borrowers’ priorities have shifted due to the economic impact of the Middle East conflict. Mortgage rates have been fluctuating since March and the short-term economic outlook is still unpredictable. As such, borrowers are increasingly looking for more flexible mortgage deals in the hope that rates will come down soon. According […]
Buying a home is an exciting prospect, but it can also come with stresses. From property hunting through to moving day, there is a lot to consider during the process. The impact on wellbeing According to research from Barratt Homes, 60% of UK homeowners said that the homebuying process took a toll on their mental […]
Applications for the Scottish Government’s First Homes Fund are now open, providing first-time buyers (FTBs) with up to £10,000 towards a deposit. The First Homes Fund is a shared-equity scheme open to any prospective new homeowners in Scotland. The fund can be used to purchase any home (whether new build or existing property) valued up […]
Calls for Stamp Duty reform are continuing to grow as first-time buyers face rising purchase costs. Research suggests first-time buyers have paid an extra £307m in Stamp Duty since the tax-free threshold changed in April 2025. On average, buyers have reportedly paid £4,618 more to complete a purchase over the past year. For many households […]
Many prospective buyers feel ready to move in 2026, but affordability concerns and uncertainty are still causing hesitation. Confidence versus action: Research shows that 52% of prospective buyers believe they are ready to purchase a property this year. However, there remains a significant gap between confidence and actually making a move. High property prices and […]
New analysis from Stonebridge suggests remortgage activity surged during the opening months of 2026 as borrowers reached the end of ultra-low fixed rate mortgage products arranged during the pandemic. Sharp rise in applications: Stonebridge data shows that remortgage applications increased by 45.8% during Q1 2026. The rise comes as many homeowners are reaching the end […]
For many people, buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments that they will make. But house hunting is not just about getting the price right; you also need to be confident that the property and location is right for you and your lifestyle. Here are some factors to consider when making your […]
House prices picked up in March, with annual growth rising to 2.2% according to Nationwide. This is an improvement on February, when prices rose annually by 1.0%. The average house now costs £277,186. In March, most UK regions saw modest increases in house prices, however the Outer South East and East Anglia both saw price […]
Mortgage rates are in a state of flux in response to the Middle East conflict, which is a constantly evolving situation. Mortgage rates were on the rise at the start of April, with over 30 lenders increasing their rates and withdrawing some products from the market. However, by the end of the month, lenders had […]
Recent research has found that half of UK homes increased in value last year. According to Zoopla, 15.2 million properties gained value by an average of £9,900 in 2025. Within this group, 3.1 million homes saw particularly strong growth, rising by more than £20,000. In contrast, 9.1 million households saw a decrease in value by […]
The mortgage market is facing uncertainty due to ongoing developments in the Middle East. Affordability challenges had been easing slightly in recent months – mortgage rates were slowly coming down due to cuts to Bank Rate. In January 2026, the average monthly mortgage payment was 7% lower than the previous year. However, the recent outbreak […]
Many hopeful homeowners could be closer to getting on the property than they realise, but they are underinformed about their mortgage options. A survey by the Building Societies Association (BSA) has found that nearly half (47%) of people who want to buy a home have never spoken to a lender or mortgage broker. This means […]
Research from Rightmove has identified the UK towns that recorded the strongest house price growth last year. The list was largely dominated by towns in Scotland and the north of England. Hawick in the Scottish Borders saw the biggest annual rise, with prices increasing by 18% in 2025. Durham followed with a 15% increase, while […]
End of year statistics for 2025 offer some reasons to be optimistic about the housing market. According to Zoopla, house sales for 2025 hit 1.2 million, the highest level for three years. First-time buyers showed growing confidence as they accounted for 39% of transactions last year. Meanwhile, house prices lagged last year, with the average […]
Last year saw significant housing reforms for renters and homebuyers – here’s a recap of what you need to know. Change to renters’ rights: The Renters’ Rights Act received Royal Assent in October 2025 and will come into force in three phrases this year. The initial phase of the rollout in May will include the […]
Data from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) indicates that more borrowers are opting for ultra-long mortgages in an effort to manage rising housing costs. According to the analysis, in 2024 there were 116,276 mortgages taken out with repayment periods of 35 years or more. This is over three times the number sold in 2020, highlighting […]
Research suggests that landlords may be forced to raise rents to account for tax hikes announced in the Autumn Budget. From April 2027, landlords will face a 2% tax increase on their rental income – the basic rate of property income tax will rise from 20% to 22%, while the higher rate will increase from […]
Hoping to move or remortgage this year? Here’s how to get mortgage-ready in 2026. Review your finances Now that the busy festive period is over, why not take this opportunity to organise your finances. Go through your bank statements and identify where you can reduce your spending – not only will this help you […]
The start of a new year often prompts people to review their plans and for many, that might include a resolution to move home. As market conditions continue to evolve, prospective buyers and sellers might be wondering what will happen with property prices in 2026 and beyond. The latest five-year outlook from Savills provides a […]
Savills has published its latest five-year outlook for the UK housing market, including predictions for house price growth between now and 2030. The report predicts that house price growth will be subdued in the short term, with the average home expected to rise in value by just 1.0% in 2025 and 2.0% in 2026. This […]
A survey from LRG has revealed the three most influential factors when buying a property, excluding price and location. Updated kitchens and bathrooms were the important features, with 77% of respondents citing these as key influencers. Meanwhile, an attractive garden (55%) was more favourable than exterior presentation (23%), suggesting that kerb appeal is currently less […]
Data from the Bank of England shows that UK borrowers are currently favouring two-year fixed-rate deals. In Q2 of this year, half of new mortgages were two-year deals, with only 35% opting for five-year terms. Borrowers are probably hoping to remortgage to a cheaper deal if Bank Rate keeps falling over the next two years. […]
Millions of UK homeowners are choosing to renovate their existing home instead of moving. In England and Wales, about 1.7 million homes (one in 15 properties) have undergone significant renovation work. These homes are marked with ‘official improvement indicators’, showing that they have had major structural changes, such as an extension or loft conversion. Legally, […]
Research has revealed the best UK commuter towns, offering lower house prices whilst being in proximity to major cities. Remote working became the ‘new normal’ during the pandemic, but now three-quarters (76%) of employees are back working in the office at least three days a week. Many people can’t afford to live in London, where […]
Data shows that the number of people buying a home with a Lifetime ISA (known as LISA) increased in the 2024/25 tax year. According to the statistics, 82,750 account holders withdrew money from their LISA to buy their first home, which is about 30,500 more than in the previous tax year. Also, the average withdrawal […]
New data indicates that first-time buyers (FTBs) are taking out longer mortgages to help them move straight into their ‘forever home’. In August, a third (33.5%) of FTBs bought a semi-detached property, up 1.7% when compared with the same month in 2024. Meanwhile, only 19% purchased a flat, representing a 2.7% annual decline. The most […]
Data from the Office of National Statistics shows that the average monthly mortgage repayment has surpassed £1,000 for the first time on record. In August, the typical monthly payment reached £1,002.27, indicating that, despite some cuts to Bank Rate over the last year, homeowners are still facing affordability challenges due to higher inflation. Less than […]
HMRC has warned buyers to be cautious of tax agents making false claims about Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). Some homeowners have been wrongly advised that properties in need of repair are uninhabitable, so are eligible for non-residential rates of SDLT. Rogue agents are suggesting that, for a fee, they can secure a tax refund […]
Bank Rate may be at its lowest level since March 2023, but mortgage rates seem to be on the rise again. In August, inflation was at 3.8% for the second month in a row, nearly double the Bank of England’s target of 2%. The Monetary Policy Committee therefore voted to keep Bank Rate at 4% […]
