Funding Features

VARIABLE OR FIXED?

In January, the government announced the biggest jump in inflation since records began and triggered rumours of interest rate hikes. As market uncertainty increases, Laura Edgecumbe asks what ftbs need to know about interest rates before taking out a mortgage

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Be a savvy saver
Only those who have the capital for a deposit can secure a mortgage with decent interest rate repayments. Although returns on savings are not at their best right now, Cathy Neal from Which? Money advises the best route to take... ...
Deposit dilemmas
Property prices are dropping sharply, allowing first time buyers to fantasise about owning a home. But unless banks bring back lower-deposit mortgages, dreams will be crushed and the property market will remain a nightmare, says financial expert Robyn Stern ...
Interest only vs Repayment
An interest-only mortgage may look extremely attractive, especially when you could be saving around £175 per month on a £100,000 mortgage. However, FTB advises to arm yourself with the facts before opting out of a repayment product ...
Relative finance
As lending remains tight, first time buyers struggling to wrap their fingers around the bottom rung of the property ladder are turning to that very personal of financial institutions, the Bank of Mum and Dad. Polly Coldwell reports... House prices are starting to touch bottom, affordability has increased and sales volumes are on the up. But while banks have started to add first time buyer (FTB) products to their mortgage portfolios, the best deals are still out of reach for most would-be buyers. Meanwhile, the Bank of England base rate is still hovering at an all-time low of 0.5%, and parents with money in savings are earning negligible interest. ...
How much can I afford?
Why window shop for properties only to find that your dream home is well out of your price bracket? By figuring out your finances before you start your search you won't set your sights on a mansion when you can only afford a maisonnette ...
Broker the deal
Unless you're a mortgage aficionado, the only way to ensure you end up with the best loan for you is to go with a broker. But the good ones aren't always easy to spot. It pays to do your research, says Jessie Hewitson ...

To fix or not to fix
Variable rate mortgages might look extremely attractive while the base rate remains low, however...
Mapping your mortgage
Imagine you are at the shooting gallery at a fair. Your partner desperately wants you to win the...

Market Watch

To rent or to buy – that is the question
Recent figures suggest rental prices are now higher than average mortgage payments. Laura Edgecumbe-Ansdell investigates whether the time is ripe for ftbs to swap renting for a mortgage According...