FIRST TIME BUYERS MORTGAGE GUIDE

First-time buyer numbers drop
Despite fewer people buying their first home, the first-time buyer market still accounts for over half of borrowers. And with house prices decreasing, many people may still have an opportunity to get onto the property ladder. The number of first-time buyers has fallen...

Mortgage interest rates have come down
Good news for home movers and first-time buyers. Major lenders have cut mortgage interest rates, with some fixed rates rates coming down below 5%. Mortgage interest rates have gone down more substantially than we’ve seen recently. Santander, the Bank of Ireland and...

The base rate stays the same
The Bank of England has reviewed the base rate and chosen to keep it where it is. The rate currently stands at 5.25%. If the rate had gone up, this would have been the 15th consecutive rate rise. While anyone on a fixed-rate deal would not have been affected, those on...

House prices fall by an average of £14,000 in a year
UK house prices fell by 4.6% annually and 1.9% in August – the most significant monthly drop since November 2022 – but Halifax says it may be a good thing for potential first-time buyers. Latest figures published in Halifax’s House Price Index show that a typical UK...

Should first-time buyers be worried about negative equity?
If you’ve been saving for a property and you’re almost ready to buy, you may be wondering if now is a good time and if you’re at risk of going into negative equity on your first home. Here’s what you need to know… Last month, banks warned that falling house prices...

House prices see small decline in July
Halifax’s House Price Index for July shows a slight price dip and an annual reduction of 2.4%, with house prices ‘little changed’ over the past six months. House prices went down slightly in July by 0.3%, according to Halifax. The lender has published its latest House...

The base rate goes up to 5.25%
The base rate has gone up to 5.25%, marking the fourteenth consecutive increase in the last 18 months. Find out what it means for your mortgage payments. The Bank of England has increased the base rate from 5% to 5.25%. The increase was widely anticipated, despite...

Major lenders reduce their mortgage rates
Some major lenders have reduced their mortgage interest rates – find out what this means for the market

Property demand falls
Property demand has fallen due to higher interest rates but some lenders have cut rates in the last week.

House prices dipped in June
Prices have gone down slightly in the past month, but Halifax says that it is still receiving a consistent volume of mortgage applications House prices dropped by 0.1% in June, according to Halifax. The lender has just published its monthly House Price Index and has...