Personal Finance Articles

The credit crunch: cause and effect - Posted by Paul McIndoe.

Financial institutions in a tough situation – debts are mounting as a result of reckless lending and now they are tightening their lending criteria to try to limit the damage. What does this mean for you?

Price war erupts in the UK Mortgage Market - Posted by Chris Borthwick.

The big UK mortgage lenders have improved their mortgage rates as the market starts to re-engage.

Munch, munch goes the credit crunch; but first-time buyers could be at an advantage! - Posted by Paul McIndoe.

The credit crunch doesn’t have to mean the end of first time buyers entering the mortgage market. Indeed, with a bit of preparation and the right knowledge, they can actually use it to their advantage.

Credit Crisis: Blip or Full-Blown Recession? - Posted by Andrew Regan.

2008 has seen the credit crisis enter into its second year and economists are still divided on whether it is merely a blip or a full-blown recession.

UK House Prices fall at a rate not seen since 1990 - Posted by Chris Borthwick.

House prices have dropped at the fastest rate in 20 years. When will it stop?

Tenants at Risk as Homeowners Struggle with Buy to Let Mortgage Repayments - Posted by Chris Borthwick.

New figures show the increase in repossessions in the buy to let market and as a result the effects it has on the tenants.

Triple Hit of Bad News for Homeowners - Posted by Chris Borthwick.

Homeowners have been hit by three pieces of bad news this week. The latest figures show mortgage lending is down 65 per cent on last year, first-time buyers will need on average £40,000 deposit and a quarter of those who fall into owners of ‘sub-prime’ mortgages are falling into arrears.

House Price Recovery Forecast for Next Year - Posted by Chris Borthwick.

Mortgage rates are predicted to improve and house prices to start to rise again once the market recovers. Regular mortgage quotes will give you an idea of the best mortgage deals available and what you can expect to pay.

Fixed Mortgage Rates returning to 2007 levels - Posted by Chris Borthwick.

Banks are reluctant to lend and when they do they are being much more cautious avoiding riskier customers so although the rates they are offering are back to the levels of August 2007 they are making higher profits. The higher profits are coming from the increased fees and higher deposits but because of the base rate – which fixed mortgage rates are based on - is 5% as opposed to 5.75% last year.

It’s a buyer’s market after all - Posted by Paul McIndoe.

In times of economic uncertainty it can be difficult for many people to view the possibility of buying a house as a realistic option. However, with the right planning the investment can be a sound one.