There was a leap in demand for fixed rate UK mortgages in May, as homebuyers seek a predictable monthly repayment, and market watchers proclaim that interest rates can ‘only go up from here’.
There was a leap in demand for fixed rate UK mortgages in May, as homebuyers seek a predictable monthly repayment, and market watchers proclaim that interest rates can ‘only go up from here’.

Platform has launched a new mortgage aimed at joint borrowers and couples. The product is available as a first time buyer mortgage and remortgage. Click on headline to read more.

Elderly care home residents could face a hefty capital gains tax bill on selling their home. Are you or your family affected? Click on headline to read more.

Did you know that independent mortgage advice saves you, on average, nearly £1,000 per year on your mortgage repayments? Read our top tips on first time buyer mortgages.
First time buyers could enjoy a permanent stamp duty holiday as they take their first time buyer mortgage, as the Tories pledge they will keep forever the stamp duty holiday on homes under £250,000. Meanwhile, competition in the first time buyer mortgage market is hotting up as the daffodils bloom.
The new tax year, which began on 6th April 2o1o, offers a golden opportunity for tax savings. Make use of your brand new tax allowances to fine-tune your financial planning, and minimise tax. With financial advice you can streamline your savings strategy by getting the best savings rate and fully utilising your ISA cash allowances. You can ensure you take advantage of your allowances for Capital Gains Tax, if you are selling an asset. You can plan to maximise tax reliefs from pensions contributions. You can gain 30% tax relief on investments in Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs). You can take the necessary steps to avoid 40% Inheritance Tax on wealth passing to your children and heirs. If you are an employer, you can plan for the upcoming government NEST scheme, which will require you to have, or set up, a pensions department that offers a pension to all employees.
Through lack of financial planning and financial advice, we overpay £9 billion every year to the taxman. No surprise, then, that those who take an hour a month for financial planning tend to be better off than those who don’t, Axa reveals.

The Bank of England has today decided to hold interest rates at the historic low of 0.5%. Customers seeking first time buyer mortgages right now are being advised to seek quality independent financial advice. An independent mortgage advisor, with their ‘whole of market’ approach, can find the very best mortgages based on the whole of the UK market, and will on average save you almost £1,000 on your annual mortgage repayments.
Mortgage advisors are urging mortgage clients to ‘shop around’ and also consider remortgage options, as some lenders raise their mortgage interest rates to account for a possible Bank of England rates increase later this year. Certain lenders are already raising their standard variable rate (SVR), which customers move to by default, if they do not switch to a different mortgage deal at the end of their initial tie-in period.

As we emerge from a snowy January, the climate is particularly favourable for those seeking a remortgage. Lenders are competing for the business of mortgage holders with significant equity built up in their homes.
















