Mortgages can feel like double-dutch.
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.
What deposit do you need as a first-time buyer?
Saving for a first home often feels like chasing a moving target. Property prices climb, rent takes a chunk of each paycheque, and your target deposit figure can seem impossibly far away. The good news is that first-time buyers may not need as much as they think. We’ve broken down exactly how much deposit is required, how it affects your mortgage options, and practical ways you could reach that goal faster. For more guides and expert advice on your first house purchase, head to our First-Time Buyer Hub.
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New rent laws landlords and tenants need to know in 2026
The private rental sector in England is about to experience its most significant overhaul in over 30 years. The Renters' Rights Bill abolishes no-fault evictions, transforms how tenancies work, and introduces new protections that affect millions of landlords and tenants alike. This guide breaks down the key changes, from rent increase rules and eviction grounds to property standards and landlord registration requirements - so both sides know exactly where they stand when the new laws take effect.
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Tembo Market Watch: April 2026
The UK housing market is navigating a genuinely difficult moment right now. Inflation has climbed to 3.3% following a sharp rise in fuel prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East. Not to mention that at noon on the 30th April, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) - the group of policymakers who decide what the UK's base interest rate should be - voted to hold the base rate steady for the 3rd month in a row. For anyone planning to buy their first home, move up the ladder, remortgage, or is still saving, here’s why this matters enormously - from the UK's Best Mortgage Broker.
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15 smart ways to save money in 2026
Saving money sounds simple enough. Spend less than you earn and put the difference aside. Yet many people find it very difficult to do consistently, even when they genuinely want to. The trick isn't willpower or earning more (although that would be nice!). It's building systems that make saving automatic and choosing accounts that actually reward your effort. This guide covers 15 practical strategies, from automating transfers on payday to finding the right savings account for specific goals, such as a house deposit.
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Tembo First-Time Buyer Index: January-March 2026
At Tembo, we talk to hundreds of first-time buyers every week, all hoping to find a place they can truly call home. But for many, that sense of excitement is often tempered by uncertainty. Today’s first-time buyers are facing one of the most challenging markets in recent history. House prices have been rising faster than wages for decades, meaning buyers now need to save much larger deposits and take on bigger loans, while also dealing with increasing rent and day-to-day living costs. On top of that, most people haven’t been taught the fundamentals of mortgages at school, so they’re left to figure it out as they go. That often means trying to make sense of jargon, worrying headlines, and advice from friends and family that, while well-meaning, can sometimes be inconsistent. That’s where the Tembo First-Time Buyer Index comes in. It’s designed to answer those questions and shine a light on the key trends, patterns, and changes shaping the market for first-time buyers today. Our goal is to deliver clear, data-driven insights that help buyers understand their options, identify opportunities, and feel more confident and supported on their path to owning a home.
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Tembo Market Watch: March 2026
Just when mortgage rates finally start easing, global events have thrown a curveball. Over the past few weeks, escalating tensions in the Middle East have sent oil prices climbing, rattled financial markets, and pushed mortgage rates back above 5%. Lenders have rapidly repriced deals, and hundreds of mortgage products have disappeared from the market almost overnight. Whether you're a first-time buyer, a homeowner, saver, or just keeping an eye on the market, here’s what you need to know - from the UK's Best Mortgage Broker.
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How the conflict in the Middle East could impact your wallet and mortgage
The US-Israeli conflict with Iran has escalated rapidly over the past few weeks, and while it may seem geographically distant, the conflict is already having an impact on people’s wallets here in the UK. From rising oil prices to shifting expectations around interest rates, global events like this can quickly influence mortgage rates, inflation and the cost of living. Here’s what’s happening, and what it could mean for your finances.
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ISA changes coming soon: What savers need to know
If you’ve been saving into an ISA, you may have seen headlines suggesting big changes are on the way. From reforms to Lifetime ISAs to changes to the Cash ISA allowance, it’s understandable that savers might be wondering what this all means for their money. The good news? Most of the upcoming changes won’t affect the money you’ve already saved, and you still have time to make the most of the current rules. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s happening, and what savers should do now.
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Student loans: The growing debate, and the hidden impact on your mortgage affordability
Student loans are back in the headlines again. But this time, the debate isn’t just about tuition fees or fairness - it’s about how the system is quietly reshaping the finances of an entire generation. For millions of graduates across the UK, student loans aren’t just a line on a payslip. They’re influencing how much people can save, what homes they can afford, and even whether they can get on the property ladder at all. So what’s going on, why is the debate heating up now, and what does it mean if you’re hoping to buy a home?
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Spring Budget 2026: What it means for you
The UK government delivered its Spring Budget (a.k.a the Spring Statement) on 3rd March 2026, and while it was deliberately lower-key than past years, even a “boring” Budget will have real-world impacts on interest rates, energy bills, savings, mortgages and general financial confidence. Here’s what was announced - and what it means for your savings goals, your ISA planning, and your journey toward buying a home.
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3 ISA tax year mistakes savers make (and how to avoid them)
Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) are one of the best tools UK savers have for growing money tax-free, whether you’re saving cash, investing for the long term, or working toward goals like buying your first home. But as simple as they sound, plenty of savers slip up each year and either miss out on benefits or accidentally fall foul of the rules. Here’s a clear and friendly guide to the most common ISA tax year mistakes we see every year, and how you can easily avoid them.
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Tembo Market Watch: February 2026
As 2026 gets underway, UK homeowners, buyers, and savers are navigating a market that is stabilising. With mortgage rates easing and savings rules changing, now is a time to review your plans and act strategically. Whether you're a first-time buyer, a homeowner, or just keeping an eye on the market, here’s what you need to know - from the UK's Best Mortgage Broker.
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Government issues major update on Lifetime ISAs
After months of uncertainty, the government has finally offered some clarity on the future of Lifetime ISAs (LISAs), the special ISA savings account backed by the government and still held by around 1.3 million people according to the most recent figures. While changes are coming, there’s no cut-off for opening a Lifetime ISA. In fact, we’re anticipating improvements for first-time buyers. If you have a Lifetime ISA, you can continue to contribute to it indefinitely.
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Tembo Market Watch: January 2026
Whether you're a first-time buyer, a homeowner, or just keeping an eye on the market, here’s what you need to know - from the UK's Best Mortgage Broker.
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Tembo Market Watch: December 2025
Whether you're a first-time buyer, a homeowner, or just keeping an eye on the market, here’s what you need to know - from the UK's Best Mortgage Broker.
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Andrew & his fiancée: From saving side-by-side to buying their first home in Darlington
After two and a half years of renting together, Andrew and his fiancée were determined to turn their monthly savings into something more permanent. Working for the same company, in the same role, on the same salary, step by step, they chipped away at their goal of owning a place of their own. This is their journey from renters to first-time buyers, with a little help from Tembo.
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Will interest rates drop? Tembo's base rate predictions
Originally, the market was predicting that the Bank of England would cut its base rate by the middle of 2026, driven by easing inflation. However, expectations have now changed on the back of the conflict in the Middle East; the market is now expecting the base rate to rise at some point this year, potentially multiple times. This could significantly impact mortgage rates, savings accounts, and the housing market. Here’s what you need to know and how it could affect you.
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Autumn Budget 2025: What it means for you
Just after midday on the 26th November 2025, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves unwrapped her second Autumn Budget. And there was a lot to process. From a shake-up of ISAs to new property taxes, this much-anticipated Budget has a lot of changes which could impact your savings, home buying plans or remortgage. We've gone through the details to give you a clear, no-nonsense summary of what this all means for savers, home buyers, and homeowners, and what you should do next.
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Tembo Market Watch: November 2025
Whether you're a first-time buyer, a homeowner, or just keeping an eye on the market, here’s what you need to know - from the UK's Best Mortgage Broker.
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Are your savings losing value? Why inflation could be costing you money
In today’s economic climate, many savers are unknowingly losing money due to inflation outpacing the interest rates offered by most savings accounts. With inflation currently at 2.8% - way above the Bank of England’s 2% target - this issue is more pressing than ever.
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Your guide to remortgage valuations
If you're thinking about remortgaging to release equity, get a better rate, or switch lenders, your property will usually need to be valued. But how does a remortgage valuation work? Does it affect how much you can borrow? And what happens if your home’s value has changed?
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What is mortgage retention and what does it mean for you?
If you're in the process of buying a home and your mortgage lender suddenly says they're holding back some of the money, you're probably dealing with something called a mortgage retention. This guide explores what mortgage retention means, why it happens, and what you can do about it.
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The evolution of female homeownership in the UK
Over the past 50 years, homeownership for women in the UK has gone from a distant dream to a real possibility - but it hasn’t been an easy ride. From outright discrimination to today’s stubborn homeownership gap, the journey’s been full of twists and turns. Discover how far we’ve come, the challenges that remain, and what you need to know to claim your place on the property ladder.
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How to withdraw money from a Cash ISA
You can save up to £20,000 a year in Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) without paying a penny of tax on your interest, but how do you withdraw money from a Cash ISA and are there any penalties?
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How to open an ISA
An ISA - Individual Savings Account - is a type of savings account that lets you save or invest for the future without paying tax on your interest or profits. So how do you open one? And which type of ISA is right for you?
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Can you transfer a mortgage to a family member?
If you'd like to transfer a mortgage to a family member, remove yourself from a joint mortgage, or share the responsibility of the monthly repayments, you'll need to request a transfer of equity from your lender. This guide explores when a mortgage can be transferred to a family member and how to start the process.
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Best fixed rate savings accounts in the UK
You can protect your savings from falling interest rates with a fixed rate savings account. Your interest rate will be fixed for a set period, but in return for this certainty, you’ll need to lock your money away until the end of the term. Let’s take a look at the best fixed rate savings accounts in the UK in 2025, with fixes ranging from 1 to 5 years.
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Should I buy a house in 2026?
Buying or selling property is a major personal decision, influenced by your financial situation and life goals. However, understanding what the property market landscape could look like in 2026 can help you make an informed choice. Here, we outline key factors to consider when deciding if you should buy or sell a house in 2026.
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Will mortgage rates drop in 2026? Tembo's expert mortgage rate predictions for 2026
Rewind to the start of 2026, and mortgage rates were gradually declining, and expectations were high for a booming market this year. However, a curveball came at the end of February when the conflict in the Middle East sent mortgage rates skyward. But over the last few weeks, relief has swept through the market as some of the top mortgage lenders have begun cutting their mortgage interest rates again. But how has this changed the outlook for mortgage rates and house prices? Our team of mortgage experts share what to expect over the rest of 2026.
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Bank of England votes to hold base rate, but another cut could be on the cards
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has announced its decision to hold the UK's base rate at its current level of 4%. This move was widely anticipated by economists and aligns with the central bank's cautious approach as it navigates sticky inflation with a sluggish economy. While a stable base rate offers a degree of predictability, it has significant implications for household finances. From mortgages to savings, the decision affects millions. Keep reading as we dive into what this means for homebuyers, those looking to remortgage, and savers.
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