Stamp Duty and Mobility Remain a Market Constraint
Yorkshire Building Society argues that stamp duty is deterring millions of potential movers and weighing on housing transactions, estimating that restoring activity to historic levels could add £66bn to the economy. The issue comes as market signals remain subdued: Nationwide reported house-price growth of 0.2% in August, while Rightmove data referenced by Mortgage Solutions showed […]
AI Use Requires Clear Adviser Guardrails
The FCA reports that 56% of surveyed investors aged 18 to 40 trust AI tools, and four in five less-experienced investors have used AI for investment help. Yet 44% mistakenly believe AI-generated financial information is regulated, while 32% wrongly think they would have Financial Services Compensation Scheme or Financial Ombudsman protection if AI-led information proved […]
Rates, LTIs and Affordability: A Mixed Picture
Mortgage pricing and lending criteria continue to move in different directions. Pepper Money has reduced selected residential and buy-to-let rates, including two-year residential fixes up to 75% LTV, while first direct has cut selected fixed rates by up to 0.19%. Atom Bank has increased loan-to-income limits for prime and near-prime borrowers up to 90% LTV, […]
Fast-Track Remortgages Raise the Automation Bar
Barclays is launching a Fast-Track Remortgage service designed to issue offers within 24 hours and, in eligible cases, support completion in as little as five days. The service is aimed at straightforward switches, with up to two existing borrowers, no additional borrowing and lending up to 80% LTV. The proposition reflects a wider mortgage-market direction: […]
AVMs Move Further Into Bridging Finance
Allica Bank has expanded its automated valuation model (AVM) proposition for bridging finance, lifting the maximum loan-to-value from 70% to 75% and increasing the maximum AVM-supported loan from £750,000 to £2m. The change illustrates how lenders are becoming more willing to use automated property-data tools in higher-value and higher-leverage cases. For advisers, faster valuation routes […]