Mortgages
RICS: CML November mortgage lending figures
Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist said: "It is clear that the credit crunch is hurting the housing market. Lenders are becoming more selective in whom they are willing to advance funding to.
Decline in gross lending in November
Gross lending declined to an estimated £30.7 billion in November, down 8% from £33.5 billion in October and 8% from £33.2 billion in November 2006, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders.
New mortgage deals from Alliance & Leicester
Alliance & Leicester is launching a new range of residential, Buy to Let and PlusMortgage products, which are available from Friday 21 December 2007. The current range of fixed rate offers remains available.
First time buyers face steep property challenge
Prices for first time buyers have risen by almost 3% to £187,911. Four out of five first time buyers are looking to purchase property on their own rather than with a partner.
John Charcol 2008 predictions
As 2007 closes, following an unprecedented situation in the money markets since August, Ray Boulger, Senior Technical Manager at John Charcol, forecasts what we can expect to see in 2008.
Lloyds TSB launches re-mortgage cashback offer
As research reveals that two out of three (64 per cent) re-mortgagers are curbing Christmas spending to help meet increased mortgage repayments, Lloyds TSB is launching a re-mortgage cashback offer.
CML welcomes commission change of heart on mortgage directive
The Council of Mortgage Lenders welcomes the European Commission’s white paper on mortgages, published today, and its decision not to recommend a mortgage directive without further study.
Abbey reduces rates on fixed rate deals
Abbey Mortgages is cutting interest rates by up to 0.1% on a number of its most popular fixed rate deals.
Yorkshire Building Society launches new fixed rate mortgages
Yorkshire Building Society has launched a new range of lower priced fixed rate mortgages, with a greater cut offered for borrowers who have larger deposits.
Standard Life Bank cuts standard variable rate by 0.25 per cent
Standard Life Bank can confirm that it will cut its Freestyle Standard Variable Rate (SVR) by 0.25 per cent following the Bank of England interest rate cut on 6th December.
HSBC to decrease standard mortgage rate by 0.25%
HSBC Bank plc has announced it will reduce its HSBC variable mortgage rate by 0.25% from the 24th December 2007.
Halifax rewards green credentials with competitive mortgage deals
Halifax, UK mortgage lender, has announced the launch of two new products exclusively available to customers buying their home from selected homebuilders.
Moneyfacts.co.uk guide to survival in the changing mortgage jungle
Julia Harris, analyst at Moneyfacts.co.uk, comments: "Exclusive Moneyfacts.co.uk research reveals a significant drop in the number of residential sub-prime mortgage deals available, falling by 64% since July this year.
Land Registry focuses on electronic mortgages and transfers
Key learning from Land Registry's Chain Matrix prototype and valuable feedback from customers on electronic funds transfer have influenced Land Registry's decision to focus resource on introducing electronic discharges, charges (mortgages) and transfers as the priorities in its e-conveyancing programme.
Conveyancing at the click of a mouse
Customer feedback suggests that one of the biggest obstacles to completing a mortgage application online is that of sourcing a conveyancing solicitor to handle the house sale, purchase or remortgage.