So what are your 2020 goals? According to research, people’s top three New Year resolutions are: lose weight, improve finances, exercise… Well, I can’t help you with one and three, but I’m sure I can lend a hand with number two. And what’s more, you’re likely to stick to resolution number two long after the …Read More

Remember just a few weeks or even days ago when you were lying on the beach and you thought: I must remember to do this, or I must remember to do that… when I get back. Well, that time has now come around. The holidays are pretty much over, the kids are going back to …Read More

There seem to be a few dilemmas around in the mortgage market at the moment. Maybe because of uncertainty around Brexit and what happens next, longer term, fixed-rate mortgages are increasing in popularity and availability. But at the same time, the trend in borrowing rates at the moment is downward, which means that mortgage bills …Read More

The late, great David Bowie released an excellent song called ‘Changes’ in 1971 and it has always struck me that it is a wonderful soundtrack for the different phases that our lives go through. We go from carefree children, to rebellious teenagers, our roaring twenties and then on to later adulthood and responsibilities. With my …Read More

At last we have some summer weather and it’s time to dig out the barbecue and head outdoors. But charred chicken and burnt bangers aren’t the only thing to watch out for as you enjoy some al fresco dining. According to Which? the number of thefts from outside your property has seen a massive jump …Read More

With uncertainty surrounding interest rates and the possibility of increases to come, it makes sense to choose a fixed-rate mortgage when taking out your first or a renewed mortgage. That way you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing what your payments are going to be regardless of what the Bank of England does to …Read More

No thanks, I’ll leave it for now… How many times must people say that when they are asked about taking out life insurance? I usually ask customers when I am sorting a mortgage for them because it just makes good sense. It isn’t that I’m trying to “upsell” them something additional to add a cost …Read More

One thing I am always passionate about is remortgaging and the money that can be saved by always making sure you are on the best loan deal that you can be. I’m not alone in this and it seems the message is getting through. According to figures from UK Finance and reported by Which?, the …Read More

Things are starting to look up for first-time buyers who are trying to get a home and their first step on the property ladder. Following the financial crisis, first-time buyers were hit hard, as lenders tightened up their lending conditions and looked for bigger deposits before they would agree a mortgage. But recent times have …Read More

People who have become “mortgage prisoners” because of tough lending rules could soon be freed. Under strict rules introduced to ensure people could afford mortgage repayments, which came in after the financial crisis, some people have been stuck with an existing expensive mortgage. They were unable to switch to a better deal because of the …Read More