Over half of Brits would not consider a long-term fixed rate mortgage

Borrowers are split on the Government’s new initiative for long-term fixed mortgages, according to research undertaken by Abbey Mortgages.

Abbey Mortgages surveyed over 1000 Britons last weekend, following the Government’s announced initiatives to encourage 25-year fixed rate mortgages.

54 per cent of people would definitely not take out a 25-year fixed rate mortgage, with 23 per cent unsure. Only 23 per cent would consider a 25-year mortgage.

Why the fix doesn’t fit

Of those who wouldn’t take out a 25-year fix, 27 per cent claimed they would not want to be locked into a mortgage for that length of time. A further 27 per cent claimed that the uncertainty of the future would put them off, while 18 per cent felt that interest rates would fall - and they would miss out on better deals.

Another key theme that emerged was that around a quarter of people planned to pay off their mortgage within 25 years.

Security main reason for consideration

Of those who would consider a fixed rate mortgage, the overwhelming factor - for 86 per cent - was the security of knowing up front costs. 48 per cent thought a 25 year fix would be attractive because they believed interest rates would keep rising. 37 per cent claimed it would save the hassle of having to remortgage, while 26 per cent cited avoiding switching fees as an attraction.

Sue Hayes, Director of Abbey Mortgages, said: “It is clear that the public don’t have much of an appetite for 25-year mortgages. This is borne out by Abbey’s own experience - we have launched 25-year mortgage products in the past - all of which had limited demand.

“We continue to see increasingly strong demand for our five and 10 year fixed deals, indicating that 25 years is just a step too far. Given the great cultural and economic changes we’ve seen in the past 25 years, this is not surprising. Few people are prepared to commit themselves to a deal for a quarter of a century.”

Abbey continues to offer a number of attractive fixed products for a variety of terms:

Two year fixed, 6.19 per cent, £489 fee, 90% LTV, through a broker
Five year fixed, 6.14 per cent, £599 fee, 90% LTV, through a broker
Ten year fixed, 6.29 per cent, £995 fee, 90% LTV, through a broker

A lot can change in 25 years - Economically:

Unemployment 8.9 per cent (2007: 2.7 per cent)
UK Total in employment 24,027,000 (2007: 29,075,000)
Bank of England base rate 12 per cent (2007: 5.75 per cent)
RPIX Inflation 9.2 per cent (2007: 4.4 per cent)
GDP growth 2.7 per cent (2007: 3.0 per cent)
Sterling against US$ 1.734 (2007: 2.0)

25 years ago - Culturally:-

Knight Rider appears (September 1982)
Sony launched the first CD player (October 1982)
Thames Barrier completed (November 1982)
Channel 4 launched (November 1982)
Michael Jackson’s Thriller - best selling album of all time - released (December 1982)

25 years ago - Births:-

LeAnn Rimes, American Singer (August 28)
Andy Roddick, Tennis Player (August 30)
Jermaine Defoe, Football Player (October 7)
Elisha Cuthbert, 24 Actress (November 30)

25 years ago - Deaths:-

Henry Fonda, Actor (August 12)
Ingrid Bergman, Actress (August 29)
Grace Kelly, Actress/ Princess of Monaco (September 14)
Leonid Brezhnev, Soviet Premier (November 10)