How interest-only mortgages have evolved
Before the financial crisis in 2008, many borrowers opted for an interest-only mortgage. This was a cheaper option for them, as they only paid interest each month. Borrowers were expected to have adequate plans in place to repay the capital at the end of the mortgage term, as was the original intention with endowment mortgages. […]
Help is on its way for leaseholders wanting to buy freehold
Help is on its way for leaseholders wanting to buy freehold The government estimate that there are 4.2m leasehold residential properties (one-third houses and two-thirds flats) in England, and around half of these are on leases with less than 80 years remaining. Ground rents average £370 per year. Last year, the-then Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid […]
Before you take money out of your pension – read on
Many retiring today can look forward to several decades in retirement, so taking the right decisions about your pension pot is important, as you will want your money to last as long as you do. Working out how much you will need to live on and getting a state pension forecast will show how much […]
Is your family financially-savvy?
Do you discuss financial matters with your children? In the UK, we can be very reticent when it comes to having family conversations about money. But as our children grow, they need to know the financial basics in order that one day they can successfully manage their own money. So, knowing how to draw up […]
What’s in store for the global economy?
The last few months have seen the release of positive economic reports and grounds for optimism remain with regards to future growth rates, certainly in terms of the US economy. However, while no one is currently predicting the onset of a sharp slowdown or recession, there are signs that the global economy may be starting […]
Four-fifths of properties are now sold below asking price
With property prices stabilising across the UK and falling in London, what steps can you take to ensure you get a good price if you’re planning to sell your home? With four-fifths of properties now sold below asking price1, experts agree that being realistic about price can be key to getting a sale. Over-pricing can […]
Inheritance Tax – where are we now?
If ever there is a UK tax that needed a major overhaul, then Inheritance Tax (IHT) must be a prime candidate. Many families will therefore be delighted to hear that the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, has written to the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) asking them to put forward proposals for the reform of IHT “to […]
Life insurance – is it time to review your plans?
We all experience life-changing events such as moving to a new home and taking out a bigger mortgage, getting married, having children, retiring, but how many of us remember to update our protection policies to cover the financial commitments these all bring to our lives? It’s easy to overlook the need to review your cover […]
Why the cheapest mortgage deal may not be right for you
Buying a house involves making lots of choices, and some can be simpler to make than others. Finding the right house in the right location can be the easy part, choosing the best and most suitable mortgage deal for your financial circumstances can prove to be more of a headache. There are hundreds of different […]
Why you should avoid protection procrastination
People put off buying life insurance for a variety of reasons, and they shouldn’t. Not only does life insurance give valuable peace of mind to families up and down the country, each year insurers pay out millions of pounds to families to help ease the financial strain caused by life’s unexpected events. Here are a […]