News

A new survey highlights the growing influence of social media on first-time buyers, creating unrealistic expectations The findings underline the importance of an adviser’s role in helping clients balance aspiration with reality The Bank of England has warned that many homeowners will face higher mortgage repayments by the end of 2028 House envy – get […]

As a result of these changes, many families may need to think more carefully about any future tax bills Life insurance, particularly whole of life cover with no set term, is increasingly becoming a topic of conversation With the changes approaching, now could be a good time to review your estate planning arrangements From April […]

One of the headline proposals is to make sales agreements legally binding much earlier to tackle gazumping Buyers or sellers who withdraw without a valid reason could face financial penalties, helping reduce failed transactions The reforms are expected to make homebuying faster and more transparent, saving first-time buyers an average of £650 The UK government […]

There has been plenty of speculation about what an Andy Burnham government could mean for the housing market It is important to distinguish speculation from policy as it is unlikely to help homeowners or buyers make decisions The sensible approach is to keep calm and carry on and wait for any relevant announcements That time […]

Higher borrowing costs and economic uncertainty continue to weigh as mortgage rates remain unpredictable Lloyds’ House Price Index showed the average UK property price was just 0.1% higher than a year earlier The autumn market is likely to remain price-sensitive, with affordability continuing to influence decisions As we move into autumn, the UK housing market […]

Research highlights a crucial truth – delaying pension contributions can be far more expensive than most people realise Analysis shows that starting to save earlier in life can significantly reduce the required contributions Even small, consistent contributions early on can outperform larger amounts contributed later Whilst many younger adults are proactive on pensions, saving for […]

First-time buyers are now entering the market later than previous generations, around age 33 on average Longer mortgage terms and later entry naturally lead to borrowing extended well into later life Refinancing is now popular for older borrowers. Many are remortgaging to secure better rates or release equity The traditional journey of buying a home, […]

Pension tax efficiency needs to be considered as it will start to fall within IHT from April 2027 Life insurance can play a valuable role by providing a lump sum on death to help cover the tax bill Acting early can help ensure that any cover is affordable and increase your options Changes to Inheritance […]

Three in five self-employed workers could be missing out on crucial peace of mind and tax benefits Making regular contributions can be more achievable and build a bigger retirement pot than waiting for ‘surplus’ income Retirement saving can be more complex for self-employed workers. It’s never too late to improve retirement readiness Around 40% of […]

Remortgage applications have risen sharply as pandemic-era fixed deals come to an end Shorter-term mortgage fixes are gaining popularity in uncertain interest rate conditions Landlords are increasingly refinancing to improve returns and release equity Remortgaging is firmly back in focus. Recent analysis1 shows applications surged by around 45% in Q1 2026, driving overall mortgage activity […]