There are well over 700,000 homeowners in the UK who have fixed-rate mortgages coming to an end in 2021, which means many will need to find a new mortgage product to keep their monthly repayment costs down.
Discounted houses will be available to first-time buyers for almost a third off the market price under a new government scheme that launches today.
According to MHCLG, the First Homes scheme will help local first-time buyers – including key workers – onto the property ladder by offering homes at a discount of at least 30% compared to the market price.
If 2020 has shown us anything it is that property remains resilient as an investment asset, having perhaps taken many of us by surprise by not just withstanding the pandemic, but, on the whole, positively thriving.
For landlords and tenants alike, there is no question that it has been an incredibly challenging year. And while the government has implemented a series of measures to help protect tenants and keep them in their homes, at ground level, this responsibility has never been greater for UK landlords.
Poor credit history and not having a large enough deposit remain the biggest hurdles for prospective first-time buyers trying to get a foot on the property ladder, as new research from Aldermore reveals that just one five were able to get a mortgage on the first attempt.
Despite Britain making clear strides with its vaccination rollout, foreign travel still looks set to remain somewhat uncertain this year. Many Brits are expected to opt for a staycation over a holiday abroad, mirroring the staycation boom that we all got to enjoy last summer. Because of this, those with a second home or money to invest are increasingly viewing holiday letting as an attractive property investment to consider.
With New Year resolutions made, many in the UK will be looking ahead having firmly shut the door on 2020. Despite a particularly difficult year generally, and with our current lockdown status in force; on a social and an economic level, those serving the mortgage industry can still look to the future with optimism.
With the housing market still in full swing, the suspension of stamp duty has led to many people selling their houses quickly and often for over the asking price. In fact, recent data shows that between November and December, asking prices were up 6.6% compared to 2019.
As we gradually edge towards a post-pandemic era, we’ve all been forced to think differently – no more so than how and where we live. During lockdown we saw numerous examples of families moving in together to share resources and save money; care for older generations or sick family members and isolating together so face to face human contact could be maintained. The question is, could this become a more permanent arrangement?
In light of the recent increased interest in property purchase, this article serves as a reminder of some of the important recent tax changes that affect how residential property and associated finance is taxed from 6 April 2020. It also considers any implications that arise out of the COVID-19 crisis.
