By Simon Comber on

Mortgages

Several major lenders have recently introduced mortgage deals with interest rates below 4%…

Mortgage approvals in January were 18% higher than a year earlier, as buyers look to secure properties before the nil-rate threshold for stamp duty reverts from £250,000 back to £125,000 in April.

While the current rush might leave the market quieter than usual after April, indications are that demand levels are rising modestly with activity increasing, even for sales unlikely to complete before the deadline.

Agents in the latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey report rising levels of market appraisals compared to a year ago and anticipate an increase (albeit modest) in transactions in coming months.

The picture is fairly cautious. As stamp duty changes bring extra costs, the wider economic backdrop, with its uncertainty on inflation and mortgage rates, may deter some buyers as we move through the year.

To find the right mortgage for you, please visit our Mortgage comparison tool..

Source: Dataloft (now PriceHubble), Bank of England, January 2025.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The actual amount you pay will depend upon your circumstances.
The fee is up to 1% but a typical fee is £595.

Simon Comber
Back to blog

Related Blogs

BANK OF ENGLAND LOWERS BASE RATE

After two years of nearly continuous interest rate increases by the Bank of England, followed by an additional year of persistently high rates that have placed considerable strain on many...
buy to let guide

Buy to let mortgages: A beginner’s guide

Welcome to our Buy-to-Let Guide, your ultimate resource for navigating the dynamic world of property investment. If you are a newcomer exploring the potential of rental income, this guide is...

The process of securing a mortgage was made very swift and painless by Gavin & Helen at Mortgage Decisions. Very responsive & helpful at every stage. Thank you for making this potentially stressful process quick and easy.

  • 5 star review on TrustPilotRob

Kevin was immensely helpful and approachable. He was knowledgeable and gave me all the information that I needed to make the right decision for me and my circumstances.

  • 5 star review on TrustPilotJennie

Mary from mortgage decisions was so helpful from start to finish, she made the whole process simple, even emailing at weekends to help, thanks again.

  • 5 star review on TrustPilotStephen

Helen and Matt worked effectively and efficiently to achieve a mortgage deal for us. Highly recommend Mortgage Decisions and this team for keeping in touch regarding the progress throughout.

  • 5 star review on TrustPilotCustomer

The confusing process of buying a house was made clear and easy thanks to the great work from Simon. Could not of asked for anything more. Cheers mate.

  • 5 star review on TrustPilotLuke