First time buyers are facing the toughest market conditions in 30 years, according to statistics from the Council of Mortgage Lenders. Not since records began in 1978 have such low numbers of first time buyers successfully got onto the housing ladder. Whilst house purchasing has hit a record low in August – with figures at [...]

Figures released from the Bank of England show that Britain’s homeowners have reversed their habit of releasing equity from their homes. Since last year, the numbers of successful homeowner loan applications has fallen dramatically. Much of this is due to the uncertain housing market conditions, as lenders exercise greater caution. However, many homeowners have decided [...]

The first thing to remember when looking for a property is that it will almost inevitably cost more than you actually think. First of all there is a whole array of other fees which you have to add onto the actual cost of the house which when added together make the house up to 5% [...]

After a number of announcements this week showing that house prices have been falling by their fastest rate in 15 years, the big question arising in many quarters now is, is investing in property still a sensible move? Experts seem to all take a fairly similar view; first of all you have to take a [...]

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has revealed that mortgage brokers are offering loans that they know are unaffordable and willingly letting customers get away with giving false information about exactly how much they are actually earning. It has been three years since the FSA took over regulation of the mortgage market and it is now [...]

The Land Registry currently estimates that the average house in England and Wales cost somewhere in the region of £183,896. Halifax, whose estimate includes Scotland and Northern Ireland, puts the figure somewhat higher at £198,500. While these estimates differ by roughly £15,000 which is a substantial amount the message both indexes give is the same; [...]

It is becoming more and more difficult to find a good mortgage deal, especially since lenders are increasingly tightening their belts in the wake of the global credit crunch. Banks are getting rid of deals as fears that the UK could be heading towards its first property crash in 17 years begin to mount. The [...]

Two set of figures out recently show that an increasing amount of first time buyers are facing a difficult path ahead as the gap between earnings and house prices contines to grow. Mortgage repayments have consumed the greatest proportion of take home pay for the last 17 years. The lowest earners as well as first [...]

First time buyers are at the highest risk of negative equity as a result of a massive rise in the number of 100% mortgages last year. The Halifax Building Society has said that in March house prices fell by 2.5%. This leaves buyers who took out 100% loans last year in danger of owning a [...]

Now is not a good time to be a first time buyer if you are looking to secure a mortgage. Lenders have scaled back on their 100% mortgages – mortgages where no deposit is required – and house prices are showing signs of a serious slow down. If you are looking to get a good [...]