Home Finance – In the news

FTBs go mad for BoMaD 

Half of all first-time buyer (FTB) transactions in 2021 involved support from the Bank of Mum & Dad (BoMaD)1, with £9.8bn of BoMaD loans helping 169,000 FTBs onto the housing ladder. Analysts suggest the trend towards higher parental contributions could be here to stay given that Help to Buy is set to be withdrawn completely from March 2023 onwards. 

To haggle or not to haggle? 

A new survey2 has shown that six in ten UK homebuyers don’t know when to negotiate during the house buying process, even though the same percentage say they feel confident doing so. In today’s seller’s market, negotiating can be a risk: 70% admit their biggest concern is losing the property or being outbid by another buyer.  

Unlucky for some 

Almost half of homeowners have never remortgaged their home3, despite a third knowing that remortgaging would probably save them money. Not considering other mortgage options, such as swapping a variable rate for a fixed term deal, can be costly; since the average Briton has held their mortgage for over 13 years, many will be missing out on better rates. 

1Savills, 2021 

2Douglas & Gordon, 2021 

3Barclays, 2021 

As a mortgage is secured against your home or property, it could be repossessed if you do not keep up mortgage repayments. Equity release may require a lifetime mortgage or a home reversion plan. To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration.