Buying a home comes with extra costs and fees you need to be aware of – from securing your mortgage to booking the removal van. In 2024, the average cost of buying or moving house is estimated around £10,255. These costs can be higher or lower depending on where you live, the value of your property, and some of the choices you make.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, downsizing or moving to your dream family home, it’s an exciting – and busy – time. It also comes with costs that could take you by surprise, so here’s a look at the ones you’r...

What does an interest rate cut mean for mortgages?

Every six weeks or so, all eyes are on the Bank of England and its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) – the group that decides whether interest rates will be increased, held or cut. How they choose to act has an impact on how much it costs banks to borrow money and what rates they can offer to savers and borrowers.

With all this in mind, what does an interest rate cut actually mean for mortgage holders and for those weighing up their options as they come to buy or move?

Will my mortgage now ...

The festive period seemed to start early this year with Christmas music played in stores from the middle of November.  It seems to indicate that people are starting their Christmas preparations well in advance – or certainly that the shops would like them to.

As we go into the Christmas break and towards the period of New Year, many of us look at what other preparations we need to put in place and we want to achieve in the year ahead.

Upsizing, downsizing and relocation

There is always a surge of people wanting to move house in January. P...

Getting a mortgage in your 50s and beyond used to be a challenge, but things have changed! Nowadays, mortgage lenders are more willing to help older applicants buy homes or refinance. So, if you're thinking about getting a mortgage later in life, here's what you need to know.

Age limits and what lenders look for: Let's start with age limits. Lenders usually have their own rules about how old you can be when your mortgage needs to be repaid. It varies, but usually, you'll see age limits ranging from 70 to 85 years old, sometimes even up to 9...

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves outlined the Government’s financial plans for the next five years. The measures, which will raise up to £40 billion for public finances, aim to “restore economic stability” and put “more pounds in people’s pockets”.

On 30 October 2024, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves announced the UK Government’s Autumn Budget alongside the Office of Budget Responsibility’s economic and fiscal forecast. The measures aim to raise more than £40 billion in taxes, plugging an alleged £22 billion black hole ...

In Labour’s first Budget since taking office, the Chancellor announced her plans to fix the so-called ‘black hole’ in the UK’s public finances and increase investment in public services, setting out £40 billion worth of tax rises.

While changes to stamp duty did form part of her plans, an extension or permanent change to stamp duty relief for movers and first-time buyers was sadly not included. So, what does this mean for those looking to move or buy?

What is stamp duty?

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is the tax you pay when you buy a prope...

Getting a mortgage in your 50s and beyond used to be a challenge, but things have changed! Nowadays, mortgage lenders are more willing to help older applicants buy homes or refinance. So, if you're thinking about getting a mortgage later in life, here's what you need to know.

Age limits and what lenders look for: Let's start with age limits. Lenders usually have their own rules about how old you can be when your mortgage needs to be repaid. It varies, but usually, you'll see age limits ranging from 70 to 85 years old, sometimes even up to 9...

Life is busy, we get it. But is anything more important than being in control of your future? Recent research* suggests that only 44% of UK adults have made a will, which means that you’re far from alone if you haven’t yet got around to completing what, for some, appears to be a daunting task.

It’s always worth bearing in mind that if you die without a will, the law decides who inherits everything you own (your assets) according to certain criteria called ‘intestacy rules’. So your assets may not be divided up as you would like, meaning you...

As we approach the end of the tax year, there’s still time for you to support your family finances, and ensure you use your allowances in an efficient manner.

Kick start your child’s financial future

Saving for your children’s future is a huge responsibility, although a rewarding one. To give your child a head start in life, you can open a child’s pension or a Junior ISA.

Both can be opened and managed on behalf of the child by a parent or guardian until the child’s 18^th birthday. The pension limit is currently set at 100% of the child’s ...