LTV, APR, DTI... it's enough to make your head spin. Let us break it down for you. Dig into our content to learn more about house hunting, first-time buyer mortgages, interest rates and so much more.
Investing in the stock market can be one of the easiest ways to build wealth and reduce the impact of inflation, but how much should you invest? Some people recommend investing 10%, 15% or even 20% of your income, but the right figure for you will depend on your income, goals and attitude to risk.
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Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) rates are changing next year, making it that little bit more expensive to buy a home in England or Northern Ireland for some. For home buyers hoping to get on the ladder or move up it next year, this news could put a spanner in the works if you need to cover a higher Stamp Duty bill than you were expecting. You can’t put Stamp Duty on a credit card or spread the cost with regular instalments, but can you add Stamp Duty to your mortgage? If you’re hoping to buy a house in 2025 and you’re worried about the costs, here’s what you need to know.
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How does LTV work, how does it affect your ability to buy a house and what’s the lowest LTV on a mortgage you can get? Find out everything you need to know about LTVs here.
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Adding someone to your mortgage can give you more financial stability and even get you a bigger mortgage. But how do you add someone to your mortgage? And do you need a solicitor? Keep reading as we’ll break down how the process works and what costs you need to consider.
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Deciding whether to buy a property is a huge decision. The financial landscape, housing market conditions, mortgage rates, and even rental prices all influence whether purchasing a home will make sense for you. To help you weigh your options, we’ve outlined key factors to consider when deciding if you should buy a house in 2025.
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2024 was a bit of a whirlwind in mortgage land. Mortgage rates rose, fell and rose again as the economy rode the waves of inflation falling from 4.0% in January to 1.7% in September and then back up to 2.3% in October. Not to mention the general election and the first Budget from a Labour government in 14 years. There were some milestone moments for mortgages too - the Bank of England cut its base rate for the first time since 2020, and mortgage rates below 4% made a reappearance. And 2025 is set to be as eventful when it comes to mortgage rates and the housing market. Keep reading to find out our 2025 predictions of what could be on the cards.
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If you’ve got a high-paying job, a large investment portfolio or you’ve received a substantial inheritance, a wealth manager can help you make the most of your money. But what exactly do wealth managers do, how much money do you need to use one and what are the pros and cons? Find out in this article.
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A Lifetime ISA can be a great way to save for your first home and retirement all under one roof. But is a Lifetime ISA the same as a Cash ISA and what should you think about before opening one? Find out everything you need to know in this article.
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Pensions have traditionally been the go-to method of saving for retirement, but they’re not the only option. If you want to build a flexible and tax-efficient nest egg, ISAs can play an important role too. But is an ISA better than a pension? Find out in this article.
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Getting rejected by a bank can quickly turn your dreams into a nightmare, whether you’re applying for a mortgage to buy your dream home, you’re trying to get a business loan, or you want to open a certain account they are offering… So what should you do when the bank says ‘no’?
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There are lots of obstacles that can stop you from getting a mortgage, such as a low income, poor credit score or difficulties with debt in the past. Let’s take a look at the most common reasons why a bank might not give you a mortgage and explore how you can boost your chances of meeting lenders’ affordability criteria.
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Labour had warned us that their first budget for 14-years would involve some “difficult decisions” as they look to raise £40bn for the public coffer. And after months of speculation, scare-mongering and uncertainty, on the 30th October Rachel Reeves became the first female Chancellor ever to deliver a Budget. Here's the key changes announced in the Budget that could influence the housing market.
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A Lifetime ISA lets you save up to £4,000 a year towards your first home or retirement and earn a 25% bonus off the government, up to £1,000. This makes it a great saving product for those saving over a number of years, but when it comes to withdrawing your money there are some rules. Let’s delve into when can you withdraw funds from your Lifetime ISA and how long will it take.
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A Cash ISA is a type of savings account where you can save up to £20,000 a year without paying tax on your interest. With the right ISA, you can reduce the impact of inflation and reach your savings goals sooner. But which ISA provider is right for you? Let’s take a look at Cynergy’s current ISA rates and see how they measure up to those offered by other providers.
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Since we acquired Nude back in February, our product and tech teams have been working hard behind the scenes on what’s coming next for our award-winning savings app. Tembo has always prioritised simplicity and clarity, and with this redesign, we're taking these values to the next level. Our dedicated product and tech teams have been working tirelessly to ensure the app not only retains its unique charm but also aligns seamlessly with the Tembo brand and vision. And now, we're thrilled to be finally unveiling a fresh new look to make saving towards those big life goals even easier.
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A mortgage advisor can help you find the right mortgage, speed up the application process and could even save you thousands of pounds. Depending on the one you go for, they could even help you overcome common home-buying obstacles, such as having a small deposit, unpredictable income or bad credit rating. But how much does a mortgage advisor actually cost and are they worth the money?
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If you’ve just started investing, you might have come across the phrases "active investing" and "passive investing". At its most basic, passive investing lets you invest and build wealth without too much risk, or research on your part. While active investing lets you prioritise companies and causes you care about, while also giving you the chance to beat the market. So which is better? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of active and passive investing.
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If you’d like to build wealth for the future while also doing your bit for the planet, you’re probably wondering where on Earth to put your money. Let’s take a look at how to invest sustainably and whether it’s worth the effort.
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Investing can help you beat inflation and build wealth for the future, but it can also be a minefield when you’re just getting started. If you’re a complete beginner, you might be wondering where to invest your money and which investments are best. Keep reading to find out how to get started, how to reduce your risk and whether you should invest in volatile assets like crypto.
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Interest rates have risen over the last few years, making savings accounts much more rewarding than before. However, not all savings accounts are made equal. While some accounts like Cash ISAs offer 4-5%, the average rate offered by easy-access savings accounts is 3.08%. So where should you keep your money? Let’s take a look at the best savings accounts available on the market today.
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The FTSE 100, also known as the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index or ‘Footsie’ for short, represents the top 100 companies by market capitalisation in the UK. The FTSE 100 includes big names you’ll likely be familiar with, like banks, oil and gas companies, pharmaceutical firms and more. But how does the FTSE 100 work, exactly? And how do you invest in it?
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Do you want to invest in the stock market while doing your bit for the planet? Investing in an ESG fund could be the answer. But what exactly is an ESG fund and are they good investments? Let’s take a look at how this type of investing works and how to get started.
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If you’d like to invest in the stock market but you’re not sure what you’re doing, index funds could provide a good starting point. Let’s take a look at how index funds work, how to invest in them and how they differ from other types of investment such as mutual funds and ETFs.
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If you’re saving for retirement or another life event that’s more than a couple of years away, a Stocks and Shares ISA could help you build wealth for the future. Let’s take a look at the best Stocks and Shares ISAs available in the UK.
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If you’d like to start investing, a Stocks and Shares ISA can be a tax-efficient way to build wealth for the future. So how do they work and are they really worth it?
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An Individual Savings Account (ISA) lets you save or invest without paying tax on any interest or returns. But there are certain restrictions with an ISA on how much can you save in an ISA each year. If you’ve already met this year’s allowance, or want to know how long you have to max out, keep reading to find out when the ISA year starts.
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The Bank of England has voted to hold the base rate at 5.0% after last month's cut. Despite the hold, as recently as this morning mortgage lenders have been cutting their rates. With market activity picking up, and another cut expected in either November or December this year, things are looking up in the property market.
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Navigating the landscape of interest rates can be a daunting task, especially given the current economic climate. We've seen a significant rise in interest rates since the ultra-low rates of 2009-2021, but how long rates will stay higher and what does this mean for savers, first-time buyers, and homeowners?
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A Cash ISA is a type of savings account that lets you earn tax-free interest on up to £20,000 a year. There are hundreds of Cash ISAs to choose from across dozens of providers, so which one is right for you? Let’s take a look at the Marcus Cash ISA rates to see how they compare to other Cash ISA accounts on the market.
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Stamp Duty is back in the news again, with the current threshold set to be cut in early 2025 as part of changes from the upcoming Autumn Budget. We’re here to cut through the noise and explain what this could mean for first-time buyers and home movers, and their home-buying plans.
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