Monthly Newsletter November 10, 2025
Bank of England base rate remains at 4%
The impact of this decision is not immediate. Most of the high street lenders in the lead up to this announcement have been reducing their rates. Currently the lowest rate on a 2 year deal for a first time buyer with a 15% deposit is sub 4%.
The markets of course will be waiting with baited breath for the budget announcement this month and it will be very intriguing to see if this shifts the needle with Christmas just around the corner. Normally, there is slight reluctance to make significant changes in the lead up to the festive period.
Do not forget, any transactions that are mid way through or starting now can have changes made to them before exchange of contracts. This can be changing your deals to lower rates as has been the case over the last couple of weeks, however, do through caution to the wind as the banks can recheck credit scores and customer profiles to ensure no detrimental changes have occurred since the application or offer was produced.
Lender Criteria Highlights
A few banks and lenders are moving into the x6.5 income boost space and general affordability increases:
Where an application is 90% LTV or less, we will apply an LTI of 6.5x income (subject to an affordability assessment and exclusions may apply).
*BOC - Bonus, Overtime and Commission
Discretion from a bank on a case by case basis:
Monthly Newsletter October 06, 2025
Despite some bank increases in rates, there are a number of sub 4% deals
Banks have spent the last 3 to 4 weeks jockeying their position in the rate ladder, seeing some increases and a smaller number of decreases. Interestingly, banks have positioned most 5 year deals at slightly higher rates than 2 year deals but marginally. For new purchases, a 20% deposit can be sufficient to secure a 3.98% deal on a 2 year fixed. For remortgages, for the same amount of equity the rates start at 4.13% on a 2 year fixed.
Lender Specific News
Santander are allowing its customers to transfer to a new deal before the current expiry date (need to be within 4 months of expiry).
Accord’s 5k deposit scheme:
Barclays announcing affordability calculation boost:
An average household* could now potentially borrow up up to £14,435 more (subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history).
Monthly Newsletter September 09, 2025
Dukes Meadows Launched in August 2025
It is with immense pride and joy that I launched my own Mortgage and Protection advisory, Dukes Meadows. After years of being in a corporate set up, I decided to have more autonomy with a set up that would facilitate client experience and transactional transparency.
Dukes Meadows will endeavour to deliver an honest, considerate, client centred approach from start to finish, assisting every step of the way, no matter how long it takes. As part of the new direction, adopting an altruistic ethos was integral and in this regard, I will be donating a portion of my commission to a charity of the client’s choosing.
Top News
Rates have seen big drops throughout Q1 and Q2 to as low as 3.79% on certain LTVs.
The start of September is seeing some increases from the big players, this might be market positioning adjustments rather than any wider economic data drivers. Despite this, rates are still relatively low compared to the last 2 years.
