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.
After months of absence, mortgage deals with rates below 4% are making a comeback. Here's what you need to know.
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Purchasing a second home is an exciting venture that can provide a multitude of benefits, from having your own holiday retreat to investment opportunities. However, it also comes with its own unique set of considerations and challenges. This guide has all the essential information you need to make an informed decision about whether buying a second home is right for you.
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When you're looking to grow your savings, understanding the interest rates on your accounts is crucial. One term you'll often come across is the Annual Equivalent Rate (AER). But what exactly is AER, and how does it impact your savings? Let's break it down.
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Weddings are one of the most memorable and special events in our lives, but they can also come with a hefty price tag. From the perfect dress to the venue, catering, and decorations, there are many elements that go into making your dream wedding a reality. Naturally, one of the first questions that come to mind when planning a wedding is - how much will it cost?
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A Cash ISA is a savings account that gives you tax-free interest on up to £20,000 a year, meaning you’ll get to keep all of the interest you earn rather than losing a portion to income tax. Let’s take a look at current Nationwide’s ISA rates available.
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A Cash ISA is a type of savings account that allows you to save up to £20,000 a year without paying tax on your interest. Let’s take a look at Santander’s Cash ISA rates and see how they measure up to other Cash ISAs available.
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A Cash ISA is a type of savings account that lets you save up to £20,000 a year without paying tax on your interest. Let’s take a look at Halifax’s Cash ISA rates and see how they measure up to other Cash ISAs available.
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If you’re saving to buy your first home or saving up for a big life goal, it’s good to know how to calculate interest on your savings and mortgage. This can help you work out how hard your savings are working for you, or if you could afford a new mortgage deal with a different interest rate.
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If you’re saving for a large expense or you’re a high earner, the taxman could tax a cut of your savings interest if you keep them in a normal savings account. Saving in an ISA instead of a traditional savings account could be the solution, as these types of accounts let you save tax-free.
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Asking for a pay rise can completely change your life. With a higher salary, you’ll find it easier to manage your budget, save for the future and even get your first mortgage. If you don’t know how to ask for a pay rise, here are our top negotiation tips to secure a well-deserved raise.
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One in five people expect to be waiting until their 40s to buy their own home, while a third say that saving a deposit is the biggest barrier to ownership, and 44% say mortgage affordability is what’s stopping them from getting on the ladder. So if you’re wondering how on earth you’ll afford a place of your own one day, you’re not alone! If you’re desperate to ditch your landlord or you’ve been living with your parents for longer than you’d like, the good news is there is lots of help out there for first-time buyers. Let’s take a look at some of the best first-time buyer schemes available, and how you could find out which ones you’re eligible for.
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If you’re a first-time buyer and you’re struggling to get on the property ladder, the government’s First Homes scheme could hold the key to your own front door. So what is the First Homes scheme and how does it work?
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The average UK house price stands at £264,900, meaning first-time buyers will need to save almost £26,500 to put down a 10% deposit on a home. London buyers face an even greater challenge, with the average house price in the capital reaching an eye-watering £535,700. Saving so much money can be hard to do, particularly if you’re renting or buying a home solo. Thankfully, there are a number of first-time buyer schemes designed to help you overcome the most common affordability obstacles and buy a place of your own. So which one is right for you?
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If you’re struggling to save a deposit for your first home, the mortgage guarantee scheme could help you borrow up to 95% of the property’s value, meaning you’ll only need a 5% deposit. But how does the mortgage guarantee scheme work and is it the only low-deposit scheme out there?
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There are now more homes for sale than at any point in the last eight years - almost a 20% increase from this time last year. So what does this mean for sellers? Is now a good time to sell a house? Find out in this guide.
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You might have heard CTFs mentioned in the news lately, but what actually are they, and what do you do if you or your child has one? Find out everything you need to know in this guide.
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If you’ve saved a deposit and found a home you’d like to buy, it’s time to submit a mortgage application. But how long does a mortgage application take and how can you speed up the process? Keep reading to find out!
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Having spent most of his 20s renting and travelling, Ryan didn't think becoming a homeowner was part of his future. But after a recent trip spurred him and his partner to put down roots, all that changed. With Tembo’s help, they were able to get the home they wanted quickly.
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Overpaying your mortgage can be a smart way to improve your financial situation. By paying some of your mortgage debt early, you could save thousands of pounds and become mortgage-free earlier. But is it always a good idea? Let’s explore whether you should overpay your mortgage and weigh up the other options.
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The UK election is only a few weeks away, and each party is making housing a key part of their housing policies. If you're a homeowner or first-time buyer, it's understandable to be anxious about how the general election will impact house prices. Keep reading to find out how the election could reshape the housing market and what it means for your home purchase plans.
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Following Rishi Sunak’s surprise election announcement, it wasn’t long before the focus turned to how the election will affect our wallets. If you’re a homeowner, home mover or first-time buyer, you’ll probably be wondering how the election will impact mortgage rates.
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Hi, I'm Anya! If you've watched any of our videos, you've likely seen me before. But one thing you might not know about me that is I'm a first-time buyer, too. Like many aspiring home buyers, over the last few years I've been saving up to buy my first home. For most, this is a tough milestone to get to - on average, it takes 10 years to save a house deposit. Which is why I'm really proud that I managed to save my £30,000 house deposit in just four years (with no help from the Bank of Mum and Dad). So, let's lift the lid on how I did it...
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Looking to buy your first home? If you’ve used a Mortgage Calculator online, don’t panic if the number you’ve seen isn’t enough to buy that house you’ve got your eye on. It may be possible to increase your borrowing potential and get a bigger loan. Keep reading to discover some clever budget-boosting strategies to get a bigger mortgage.
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With rising property prices and higher mortgage rates, many first-time buyers are turning to longer mortgage terms in a bid to get on the ladder. In fact, there’s been a recent surge in mortgage terms that go beyond the state pension age, particularly among the under-30s. More than a million people who’ve taken out a mortgage in the last three years won’t have paid off their debt by the time they reach state pension age. If you’re hoping to buy a home soon, the rise in longer mortgages might have you wondering if it’s better to get a longer mortgage than a shorter one. Let’s take a look at how long a mortgage can be and whether it’s a good idea to spread your debt over a long period of time or go for the traditional 25-year term.
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Take a scroll on Insta or TikTok, and you’re sure to find loads of renovation reveals that make doing up a house look like the best side project. But navigating a reno can be tricky - there’s a lot of mess, noise and complications in between the before vs after. Lewis, one of the mortgage advisors here at Tembo, has recently renovated his house. Now safely on the other side, he’s sharing his top tips for avoiding a reno horror story. So if you dream of going full Kirstie Alsopp one day (LIOLI fans, listen up) then read on.
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Housing is set to be a key battleground in this year’s snap general election for both Labour and Conservatives, as well as the other political parties. More than 1.5 million homeowners are remortgaging this year - many of which are moving from ultra-low sub-2% deals from a few years ago and could see their repayments go up by hundreds of pounds. On the other side of the coin, first-time buyers are facing the toughest conditions in 70 years. The average first-time buyer house deposit sits at over £50,000 and takes 10 years to save one up, while the current higher rates are squeezing mortgage affordability. We have our fingers crossed that the general election will be the shake-up that the housing market needs. Keep reading to find out what each party’s housing policies currently are, and what could be in the pipeline.
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1.5 million homeowners will reach the end of their fixed mortgage deals in 2024, meaning many households will see a rise in their monthly expenses. If your fixed rate deal is ending soon or you’re already on a variable rate, remortgaging could be a smart move. Let’s take a look at the main reasons you should remortgage this year.
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Do you want to invest but you don’t have a clue where to start? The world of investing can seem complicated and intimidating, but you don’t need to be an expert to get involved. Keep reading to find out the need-to-know essentials to help you get started.
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If you’ve ever lost your passport, dropped your phone in a puddle, or been hit with an unexpected vet bill, you’ll know how stressful it can be to cover an unexpected expense. With an emergency fund to fall back on, you can cover these financial emergencies and avoid sleepless nights.
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If you’re saving for your first home or another big life event, a Cash ISA lets you save up to £20,000 a year without paying a penny of tax on your interest. But which Cash ISA is best? Let’s take a look at the top Cash ISAs available right now in the UK.
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