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Mortgage News & Insights

The latest mortgage news, rate changes, and expert advice

First-time buyer couple reviewing Santander mortgage rates on a laptop in 2026, with house price data charts visible
Market

Is 2026 a Good Year for First-Time Buyers? What the Data Says

Santander first-time buyer mortgages are seeing a 3,150% surge in search interest — and for good reason. With lenders cutting rates and house prices softening, 2026 may be the most favourable window first-time buyers have seen in years.

14 May 2026
Person reviewing UK mortgage affordability data on a laptop, with house price charts — mortgage affordability UK 2026
Market

Is 2026 the Worst Time to Buy a Home Since 2008?

UK homebuyers face the worst mortgage affordability conditions since 2008, with house prices still rising and rates remaining stubbornly high. Here's what the data actually means for your decision to buy in 2026.

7 May 2026
Person reviewing UK mortgage documents at a desk with a house model and rising rate graph — is it a good idea to get a mortgage in 2026 UK
Market

Is It a Good Idea to Get a Mortgage in 2026 in the UK?

Between swap rate volatility, Trumpflation fears, and Iran war uncertainty, 2026 is one of the trickiest years in recent memory to take out a mortgage — but softer house prices change the maths. Here's a data-backed verdict for first-time buyers, remortgagers, and movers.

16 April 2026
Chart showing UK cities where house prices are rising and falling in 2026, with regional comparison across England, Scotland, and Wales
Market

Where UK House Prices Are Rising and Falling Fastest in 2026

UK house prices are rising in 101 of 146 cities, with Darlington up 9.5% and central London boroughs down over 10%. Data-driven analysis from HM Land Registry, January 2026.

30 March 2026
Map of UK cities ranked by affordability for first-time home buyers, showing property prices relative to local earnings across England, Scotland, and Wales
Market

Most Affordable UK Cities for First-Time Buyers in 2026

Aberdeen is the most affordable UK city for first-time buyers in 2026, with properties costing just 3.5x local earnings. We ranked 145 cities using HM Land Registry and ONS data.

30 March 2026
Map of UK cities showing the salary needed to buy a first-time buyer home, colour-coded by affordability from most to least affordable regions
Market

How Much Do You Need to Earn to Buy a Home in Every UK City?

On a UK median salary of £35,000, 26 cities are within reach for first-time buyers. We crunch HM Land Registry prices against ONS earnings to show the income needed in every major city.

28 March 2026
Infographic showing mortgage deposit amounts needed across UK cities, with stacked bars comparing 5%, 10%, and 15% deposit levels
Market

Average Mortgage Deposit by UK City: 2026 Data

A 10% deposit ranges from £11,308 in Aberdeen to £102,282 in Kensington and Chelsea. See the full breakdown for every UK city.

26 March 2026
London borough map colour-coded by first-time buyer affordability, showing house prices and deposit requirements across all 32 boroughs
Market

Can I Afford to Buy in London? Borough-by-Borough Breakdown

London FTB prices range from £332,036 in Croydon to £1,022,820 in Kensington and Chelsea. See every borough ranked with deposits and income needed.

24 March 2026
Frustrated young couple reviewing mortgage documents outside a UK estate agent, highlighting the affordable housing crisis for first-time buyers
Market

UK Housing Affordability in 2026: Why It's Harder Than Ever and What You Can Do

The UK housing affordability crisis has never been more acute, with structural forces from interest rates to planning failures locking out a generation of first-time buyers. This guide breaks down why it's so hard — and the practical broker-led strategies and government schemes that can still get you on the ladder in 2026.

3 March 2026
Worried UK homeowner reviewing rising housing costs bills at kitchen table, with energy and mortgage statements spread out
Market

The True Cost of Owning a Home in the UK: How Housing Costs Have Risen 41% in Five Years

New data from the Guardian and ONS reveals UK housing costs have surged 41% in just five years, squeezing homeowners from every direction. We break down exactly where the money goes — and the practical steps you can take to claw some of it back.

27 February 2026
Landlord reviewing buy-to-let investment figures on a laptop beside a model house and mortgage documents, illustrating whether buy to let is worth it in 2026
Market

Is Buy-to-Let Still Worth It in 2026? The Numbers Behind the Decision

With mortgage rates still elevated and tax rules tightened, many landlords are questioning whether buy-to-let still stacks up in 2026. We run the numbers on yields, structures, and regional hotspots to help you decide.

20 February 2026