Blogs

63% of the UK don’t have life insurance

63% of the UK don’t have life insurance

If the unthinkable suddenly happened to you, would your loved ones be left struggling financially? The answer may be a resounding ‘yes’ for a staggering 63% of the UK*. This vast majority find themselves without the protective umbrella of life insurance.
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Bridging loans explained

Bridging loans explained

Bridging loans can be useful for lots of reasons such as helping you buy a house if your chain breaks down, if you’re downsizing but want to buy before you sell, or if you’ve bought at auction but can’t get the funds ready on time. We explain what bridging loans are, when they are used, pros & cons, costs and how to apply.
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Base Rate Rise – How will it affect my mortgage?

Base Rate Rise – How will it affect my mortgage?

Approximately 2.2 million people in the UK are on variable rate mortgages, either on a base rate tracker, discounted-rate deal or a standard variable rate (SVR). For those on a tracker, directly following the base rate, payments will soon reflect the full rise.
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Falling House Prices

Falling House Prices

Knowing when to buy a house can be challenging, especially during a cost-of-living crisis. Although household budgets remain under pressure from high inflation, confidence is returning to the property market as house prices fell 3.1% on an annual basis in March.
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How to get ready to sell your home

How to get ready to sell your home

Getting your house ready to sell requires preparation and effort, but it can significantly increase the chances of a successful sale. Here are some tips to help you get your house in the best condition before selling.
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What is a credit report?

What is a credit report?

A credit report is essentially a financial report that tells the story of your borrowing and repayment history. Compiled by credit bureaus or credit reporting agencies, they gather information from lenders, credit card companies, and other financial institutions that you’ve had a financial relationship with.
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Life insurance made simple

Life insurance made simple

Let's be real, life insurance can feel like a world of its own. This is why we have created our ultimate guide to the basics of life insurance. Keep reading to find out what life insurance is, the most popular types, how it works, and why it’s so necessary in the world we live in today.
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Happy St. David’s Day  – Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus! 

Happy St. David’s Day  – Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus! 

March 1st is St. David’s Day, which is widely celebrated in Wales. Although not everyone can make it to Wales, you can still honour the day at home.
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Why use a mortgage broker?

Why use a mortgage broker?

Even today there seems to be a general misconception of what a mortgage broker actually does and what value they can add when searching for a mortgage.
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Self-Employed Mortgages

Self-Employed Mortgages

Securing a mortgage while self-employed can be an overwhelming task. The uncertainty surrounding the cost-of-living crisis makes it a challenging environment, so it is important to understand the options available for self-employed people.
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Wedding bells to door bells

Wedding bells to door bells

Once your special day is over and done with, it could be time to start thinking about the important parts of starting your life together.
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New year’s resolutions. What’s your priority?

New year’s resolutions. What’s your priority?

If you’re thinking about making some resolutions going into the new year, why not change things up and break the mould by prioritising something different this new year…

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The Christmas present that keeps on giving

The Christmas present that keeps on giving

Every year, we all rush around looking for the perfect gifts for our families and friends. But what if one of the best gifts you could get your loved ones this festive period wasn’t something you can hold or touch?
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Why we are recommending income protection now more than ever

Why we are recommending income protection now more than ever

In an ever changing world where working just to pay the bills is becoming the new norm – ask yourself what you would do if you couldn’t work your day job due to illness or injury?
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5 reasons to take out a critical illness policy

5 reasons to take out a critical illness policy

It shocks us when we find out some people still haven’t heard of critical illness cover. So here are 5 of our top reasons why you should start thinking about arranging a critical illness policy for yourself.
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How to reduce stress and anxiety when applying for a mortgage

How to reduce stress and anxiety when applying for a mortgage

Buying a new home, and taking out a mortgage to do that, is a major, long-term financial commitment...
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Going on Holiday?

Going on Holiday?

There’s nothing worse than coming back from a relaxing holiday to find that your home has been broken into. Unfortunately, burglaries do happen, and they often target homes that look empty or unoccupied.
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Investment property

Investment property

If you’re planning to buy an investment rental property, you may be wondering if you should do so through a limited company. In recent years, there has been a substantial move towards buying investment property through companies that are listed as limited.
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Landlord’s Dilemma at The Rising Cost of Living

Landlord’s Dilemma at The Rising Cost of Living

Some landlords are facing a real dilemma at the moment in dealing with the continued rising cost of living. There is a need to ensure they can cover the increasing costs associated with their properties and ensure they are following the market. 
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It’s Good to Talk

It’s Good to Talk

Selling your home is likely one of the biggest financial transactions you’ll ever undertake in your lifetime. When an offer to purchase your property is presented to you, you have three choices. You can accept it exactly as it is. You can reject it. Or, you can reject it and then counter with an offer of your own.
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Cost of Living Crisis

Cost of Living Crisis

The cost of living crisis is hitting households and businesses hard. Faced with rising energy and grocery bills, inflation currently at a 40-year high and expected to rise further, and business facing higher operating costs and supply chain problem, many are having to make some very difficult financial decisions.
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Mortgage protection

Mortgage protection

If you own a property, it’s important to have sufficient life insurance in case something happens to you. If you die, your family may still need to pay off the mortgage and other expenses, and life insurance can help with that.
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Property viewings

Property viewings

Whether you’re looking to buy your first home, moving home into something bigger or planning to downsize, buying a property is a major financial and emotional decision to make. And, as they say, knowledge is power. So, you’ll want to make sure you’re asking the right questions.
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Selling Property

Selling Property

Selling a home can be a big undertaking and the process is often unfamiliar as, on average, Britons move once every 23 years.
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‘Mortgage ready!’

‘Mortgage ready!’

DETERMINING HOW much money you need to buy a property may seem daunting for first-time homebuyers. To work that out, you need to consider how much of a deposit you will need, as well as considering other costs involved in buying your first home and moving.
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Mortgage Matters

Mortgage Matters

THERE ARE MANY factors to consider when choosing a mortgage, and the type of mortgage you choose will depend on your individual circumstances.
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Mortgage underwriting

Mortgage underwriting

THE MORTGAGE underwriting process is a key part of the mortgage application process. It is when the lender assesses the applicant’s ability to repay the loan, and decides whether or not to approve the loan.
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Mortgage affordability

Mortgage affordability

FOLLOWING ITS LATEST review of the mortgage market, the Bank of England (BoE) Financial Policy Committee has confirmed that it will withdraw its affordability test Recommendation. This will come into effect from 1 August 2022.
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Starting the mortgage journey

Starting the mortgage journey

THANKS TO THE housing market rebound during 2021, the number of first-time buyers nearly doubled compared to the previous year.
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Turning more of ‘Generation Rent’ into ‘Generation Buy’

Turning more of ‘Generation Rent’ into ‘Generation Buy’

MORE THAN 2.5 MILLION people are set to benefit from government plans to extend the Right to Buy scheme to housing association homes.
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Mortgage or Marriage?

Mortgage or Marriage?

OVER THE YEARS, both the average cost of a wedding and the average deposit required to buy a property have increased. As a result, this has forced some younger couples in the UK to decide which is more important to them — the dream wedding or the dream home?
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Presentation is Everything

Presentation is Everything

SELLING PROPERTY REQUIRES good preparation. It typically requires a few repairs on the outside and inside, decluttering, fresh paintwork and finding the right estate agent, along with preparing the necessary documentation.
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How to be a good landlord

How to be a good landlord

THERE’S FAR MORE to being a landlord than simply owning a property. Whether you’re an experienced landlord who has been managing a portfolio of properties for many years, or a new landlord, understanding your legal obligations as a landlord will help you to protect your investment, yourself and your tenants.
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Protection, Protection, Protection

Protection, Protection, Protection

WITHOUT ADEQUATE PROTECTION, one single incident, such as fire or burglary, could have a devastating effect on you and your home. Insurance can’t stop the incident happening, but it can help put things back the way they were – quickly and with the minimum of fuss.
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What is loan-to-value (LTV) and why does it matter?

What is loan-to-value (LTV) and why does it matter?

WHEN YOU BORROW money to buy a home, the loan is typically expressed as a percentage of the property’s value. This is known as the loan-to-value ratio (LTV). Lenders look at your LTV when deciding if they’ll accept your mortgage application – the lower, the better.
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Interior Design

Interior Design

WHEN IT COMES TO THE PSYCHOLOGY of colour, there is a lot of discussion around what different hues can do to our mood and emotions. But what about when it comes to our homes? Can the colours we choose for our walls, furniture and decor have an impact on our wellbeing?
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Shift in buyer preferences

Shift in buyer preferences

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC redefined the role of the home and placed new emphasis on its importance, and people looked for more room in order to work, exercise and often teach under one roof.
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Interest rates are rising

Interest rates are rising

RECENT YEARS have seen an extraordinary period of competitive and low interest rate mortgage deals but, even before the Bank of England’s (BoE) rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee began increasing interest rates last December, there were signs that the era of ultra-low mortgage rates was at an end.
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Mortgages in Retirement and Later Life

Mortgages in Retirement and Later Life

Whether you're looking to downsize or move home after you’ve retired or are approaching retirement, you may be wondering if you can get a mortgage. There are many different reasons why you may want a mortgage that takes you into your 60s, 70s and beyond.
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Mortgage options

Mortgage options

IF YOU ARE not in the fortunate position of being able to buy your home entirely in cash, finding the right property is only half the battle. The other half is choosing the best type of mortgage for your specific requirements.
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Sustainable Homes

Sustainable Homes

When it comes to sustainability, having greener homes and a lower environmental impact is now sitting near the very top of many Britons’ property priorities. Sustainability can no longer be considered a niche.
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Ready for your mortgage interview?

Ready for your mortgage interview?

WHEN YOU APPLY for a mortgage you will always face some form of mortgage interview. The mortgage interview is for lenders to assess whether you qualify for a loan and then decide the maximum they are prepared to lend you.
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Selling Rented Property

Selling Rented Property

You can sell your rental property with sitting tenants. However, it’s important to remember that your tenants have certain rights.
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Private Residence Relief

Private Residence Relief

If you are considering buying a new property, you may be wondering whether there will be any Capital Gains Tax to pay when you sell it.
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Start your journey to your first home

Start your journey to your first home

Are you looking to buy your first home? Whether you’re a young professional or simply planning for the future and trying to be smart with your money, purchasing a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make.
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Property Jargon Buster

Property Jargon Buster

Our jargon buster will help you navigate the terms you’re likely to encounter as you search for your new home in 2022.
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Home improvement ideas for 2022

Home improvement ideas for 2022

Where can you add real value to your home?
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Financing Home Improvements

Financing Home Improvements

Borrowing on your mortgage to put your ideas into action
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How Can I Make My Home Energy Efficient?

How Can I Make My Home Energy Efficient?

Save money on bills and reduce your carbon footprint
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Protecting yourself from property fraud

Protecting yourself from property fraud

Is it really possible for fraudsters to steal your home?
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Time to review your mortgage?

Time to review your mortgage?

Getting a mortgage is a big step towards buying a home, and is definitely cause for celebration. Your mortgage deal might have been competitive when you first got it.
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Happy New Year

Happy New Year

Happy New Year and welcome to the Winter 2022 quarterly issue of The Mortgage & Property Magazine which can be found on our ‘Magazines’ drop down page.
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Is it best to sell your home before buying?

Is it best to sell your home before buying?

Advantages of completing your sale before you buy
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The Official Mortgage Company Website Launch and Rebranding

The Official Mortgage Company Website Launch and Rebranding

Welcome to the new website and rebranding of The Official Mortgage Company.
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Property viewing checklist

Property viewing checklist

Many property viewings last less than 15 minutes, and you might not have time to arrange a number of viewings before you decide whether you’d like to make an offer.
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Showing 1 - 6 of 55 blogs