With ongoing changes across the political and economic spectrum, plus the rules and regulations applicable to funding needs, it’s no surprise that you may feel you need advice.

 

In this respect, we can help to make sense of the issues surrounding Brexit, interest rates, inflation and so on; and how this may impact upon both your ability to borrow, and what you can secure.

As you may know, we provide advice across a wide range of needs for both homeowners (existing and potential) and landlords, and along the way would identify the most suitable deals for those who may want to:

  • move home, or improve the current one.
  • buy their first home, or an additional property for second home/rental purposes.
  • improve on their current mortgage deal.

Furthermore it’s also vital that you consider how you’re protecting yourself and your income stream against any unforeseen circumstances that may hit you along the way.

 

The Positives

Within the protection industry there’s been an enormous amount of innovation over the last couple of years, so it’s important to chat through the options. In fact, even if you have longstanding policies in place, it may also make sense for us to revisit them to ensure you’re still getting the most suitable package that meets your current needs.

Another positive is that despite rises in the Bank of England Base Rate – which influences the cost of mortgage deals – we are still very much in a low interest rate environment. For example, going back a decade or so, Base Rate was as high as 5.75%.

This means that there are still some excellent deals on offer, whether you are looking at 2, 3, 5 or even 10-year terms at the deal rate.

As for house prices, they continue to rise slowly (albeit with regional variations). Across the UK in October 2018, there was a 1.6% annual increase.

(Source: Nationwide)

 

The Autumn Budget

Amongst the initiatives se tout in the Budget in October 2018, there were some that would impact upon the housing sector.

  1. The government repeated its intention to incentive housebuilding.
  2. Those that are looking to purchase their first home also benefited…
  • The existing first-time buyer stamp duty relief has now been extended to first-time buyers purchasing ‘shared ownership’ homes up to £500,000 in value, with: 0% stamp duty on the cost up to £300,000.
  • 5% stamp duty on any amount within the £300,001 – £500,000 bracket. And all backdated to 22 November 2017.
  • The Help-to-Buy Equity Loan scheme was extended and a revised scheme from April 2021 will run until March 2023.

 

Whatever your mortgage or protection requirements may be, please do get in touch to hear more.

You may have to pay an early repayment charge to your existing lender if you remortgage.

HM Revenue & Customs practice and the law relating to taxation are complex and subject to individual circumstances and changes which cannot be foreseen.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.