Valuation
How does a valuer determine the value of your home?
How does a valuer value your home? I get that type of question a lot. Many people ask because they don't believe a valuer has got it right. So how do they come to a particular figure?
Latest
Landlords
Private landlords are downsizing
Some grim news for renters is that around 40% of private landlords are downsizing their portfolios according to recent research. Market conditions resulting in unfavourable tax along with interest rate rises and other concerns are making it more difficult.
borrower
Being a co-borrower on mortgage with child
What are the downsides of being a co-borrower on a mortgage with you child. Is it advisable? That's a question posed by a visitor who understands the obvious risks but wanted another opinion.
Age
Financial Ombudsman's view on setting upper age limits on lending
I have written previously around the maximum age it is possible to have a mortgage. some lenders are more flexible than others but the Financial Ombudsman Service has published more information that is telling lenders to be flexible.
Stress
What happened to the mortgage affordability stress test?
The Financial Policy Committee, part of the Bank of England held a consultation with a view to removing the requirement to stress mortgage rates to ensure robust affordability testing. They determined it was no longer needed. So why are lenders still using it?
Age
What's the highest age you can have a mortgage?
How old is too old? That is a question I get quite often in relation to mortgage lending. More and more want to borrow later in life, the issue is whether lenders are willing to allow some to borrow due to their age. So where is the line drawn?
Podcasts
Property related Podcasts
It's not always about reading articles on blogs, there are plenty of property and mortgage-related podcasts out there which are great to listen to as you walk or when having some quiet time. Here are a few I listen to that are great.
Critical
Is Critical Illness insurance worth it?
Is Critical Illness worth it? That is a question I have received. Not such an easy question to answer as it really depends on the individual and their needs.
Scotland
Over 10,000 homes in Scotland worth £1m+
For the first time ever the number of properties in Scotland valued at £1m or more is over 10,000. Half of them are in Edinburgh.
Overseas
Register of Overseas Entities
The Register of Overseas Entities came into force in August 2022. What is it and is it working? The suggestion is not so well with close to half of the entities required to register doing nothing so far. Although that is not necessarily the whole story.
Supply
Cost of renting soars due to shrinking supply
The UK rental market continues to be under pressure of supply which is pushing the cost of renting up. Some more popular areas are suffering more than others.
Market
Open Market Shared Equity Scheme
The Scottish Government is aiming to support as many low-income and first-time buyers purchase a home this year through an initiative called the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme.