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.
The Bank of England has cut its base interest rate from 4.25% to 4.0%. This widely expected move comes as the UK battles weak economic growth. And experts are predicting another rate cut before the end of the year - even as inflation hit 3.6% in June, nearly twice the Bank of England’s 2% target. What does this mean for you? We’ve covered all you need to know, including how this impacts mortgage affordability and saving rates.
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On the evening of 15th July 2025, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered her widely anticipated Mansion House speech. Speculation had been rife about potential changes to the annual tax-free allowance for Cash ISAs in the lead up to the speech, but what was changed? Keep reading to find out what was announced, and if there have been any changes to Cash ISAs.
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A Lifetime ISA is a special ISA savings account designed to help first-time homebuyers and retirement savers save up for a first house deposit or retirement faster. But this financial tool has come under some criticism in the last few days following the Treasury Committee's latest report. Here’s what you need to know about the Treasury Committee's recent report, our take on the findings, and how it all impacts you.
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Today (19th June 2025), the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted to hold the base rate steady at 4.25%. After cutting the rate for the second time last month, today’s decision was widely expected by the market, with the committee voting for a hold.
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At noon on the 8th May 2025, the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) announced that it’s cutting its base rate of interest to 4.25% — the second cut this year. While this move was widely anticipated, the decision reflects a need to confront growing economic pressures, including inflation and uncertain global trade dynamics caused by Trump’s tariffs. But what does this mean for remortgagers, first-time buyers, and home movers? Let's break it down.
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Today, 26th March 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented her first highly anticipated Spring Statement to parliament. If you're a first-time buyer or saving for big life goals, understanding how these changes might affect you is crucial. Here's a breakdown of the key announcements and what they mean for you.
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Today (20th March 2025), the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to hold the base rate at 4.5%. This was widely expected by the market, with the committee voting 8-1 for the rate to stay at its current level. Now, the next base rate cut isn’t expected until May, with inflation expected to increase off the back of uncertainty in the global markets, the upcoming Spring Statement, supply chain disruptions and other economic factors.
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2024 was a bit of a whirlwind in mortgage land. The average two-year fixed-rate mortgage deal fell from 5.93% to 5.62%, as inflation fell from 4.0% to 1.7% and then back up to 2.3%. Not to mention the general election, the first Budget from a Labour government in 14 years and the Bank of England cutting its base rate for the first time since 2020. In comparison, 2025 so far has been much less turbulent, although there have still been some significant shifts in the housing market off the back of Stamp Duty changing and inflation staying sticky. And we're only halfway through! Keep reading to find out what to expect for house prices and mortgage rates for the second half of 2025.
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Labour had warned us that their first budget for 14-years would involve some “difficult decisions” as they look to raise £40bn for the public coffer. And after months of speculation, scare-mongering and uncertainty, on the 30th October Rachel Reeves became the first female Chancellor ever to deliver a Budget. Here's the key changes announced in the Budget that could influence the housing market.
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Since we acquired Nude back in February 2024, our product and tech teams have been working hard behind the scenes on what’s coming next for our award-winning savings app. Tembo has always prioritised simplicity and clarity, and with this redesign, we're taking these values to the next level. Our dedicated product and tech teams have been working tirelessly to ensure the app not only retains its unique charm but also aligns seamlessly with the Tembo brand and vision. And now, we're thrilled to be finally unveiling a fresh new look to make saving towards those big life goals even easier.
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The Bank of England has voted to hold the base rate at 5.0% after last month's cut. Despite the hold, as recently as this morning mortgage lenders have been cutting their rates. With market activity picking up, and another cut expected in either November or December this year, things are looking up in the property market.
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Stamp Duty is increasing from 1st April 2025 for both first-time buyers and home movers. We’re here to cut through the noise and explain what this could mean for your home-buying plans.
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One month in, Keir Starmer's government has now settled into No.10, so let's take a look at Labour's housing promises and what progress has been made so far.
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It’s big news for mortgages as the Bank of England has voted to cut the base rate after 4-years of rises or holds.
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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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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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We’ve got some exciting news to share! Now, we can officially announce that we have acquired the award-winning Lifetime ISA provider Nude. At Tembo, we are focused on building an industry-leading homebuyer platform for buyers and remortgagers - providing our customers with the fastest and most financially efficient route to homeownership.
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We’ve certainly gone into 2024 with a bang not a whimper! Yesterday (Wednesday 3rd January), HSBC announced that it was releasing a 3.94% 5 year fixed rate remortgage deal and a 4.49% 2 year fixed rate remortgage deal!
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Jeremy Hunt has unveiled the contents of his 2023 Autumn Statement, promising to increase the state pension, make ISAs more flexible and help benefit claimants find work. But what does the Autumn Statement mean for you and when will it take effect?
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Looking for the latest predictions? Read our blog on house price and mortgage rate predictions for 2025 here. Much has changed since we shared our mortgage predictions for 2023. Over 2023 inflation and mortgage rates soared, the cost of living got tighter and the Help to Buy scheme came to a close. All these changes had an impact on the mortgage market, both in 2023 and what is now happening to mortgages in 2024. Keep reading to find out what to anticipate in the world of mortgages and house prices for the rest of 2024.
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We've scoured the UK’s real-estate market to find the most expensive home in each of England’s 48 counties, and how much you’d need to earn to buy them.
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Summer sunshine may feel like a distant dream, but there's hope on the horizon in mortgage-land. While many Brits enjoy a much-earned summer getaway, the world of mortgages stops for no tan (excuse the bad pun, we couldn’t help it). Here’s the latest goings-on in the market that you need to know about.
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There’s been a lot of talk about mortgage interest rates over the last few months - it’s been almost impossible to watch the news without there being some mention of mortgages, inflation or the Bank of England’s base rate. With so much noise, it can be difficult to know what exactly is going on, and which way interest rates are going. Are rates going down? How long will interest rates stay high? To set the record straight, we’ve answered all your burning questions in this helpful guide.
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When a recession hits, it can be a worrying time for homeowners and first time buyers, particularly those facing tightening budgets, pay cuts or even redundancies. Keep reading to find out what happens to mortgage rates in a recession, and what you should do.
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Mortgages are getting more headlines than Love Island this year, and with the market in constant flux, the Tembo team want to give you the inside scoop. Each month, one of their experts will provide commentary on the latest news from lenders, the Bank of England and more. Without further ado, let’s cover off July’s headlines.
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Chances are, you’ve likely heard the Bank of England’s base rate mentioned in the news - probably in relation to mortgage interest rates or inflation. But what is the base rate, and how does it impact you? Keep reading to find out.
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Mortgage interest rates have been rising, hiked up in line with the Bank of England increasing its base rate - in fact it has increased 13 times in a row. The base rate now stands at 5%, the highest level since the 2008 financial crash. The higher mortgage rates are leading to higher borrowing costs. This not only makes it more expensive for first time buyers looking to get on the ladder, but also homeowners on variable rate mortgages or those coming to the end of their fixed rate deal. Concerns over the rising mortgage rates have led to the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt meeting with the top UK mortgage lenders to discuss what support they will give to customers. This has resulted in HSBC, Santander, Natwest, Barclays and other lenders signing up to a Mortgage Charter.
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If you’re living in a rental property and you’re struggling to save a deposit, Skipton Building Society’s new 100% mortgage could hold the key to your first home. It’s the first no-deposit deal of its kind to be launched in the UK since 2008. A number of lenders do already offer 100% mortgages, but they’re only available to applicants with a guarantor or family support. With the help of Skipton’s Track Record Mortgage, more renters will be able to get on the property ladder without help from family, or needing to spend years saving. But are 100% mortgages worth it? What are the eligibility requirements for Skipton’s 100% mortgage and are there any alternatives?
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On the 15th March 2023, the chancellor Jeremy Hunt presented his first budget. With inflation, interest rates and utility bills on the rise, many Britons were hoping he’d unveil elaborate plans to curb living costs and leave more money in ordinary people’s pockets. But did his budget live up to expectations? It has some promising developments for working parents and households struggling with energy costs, but first-time buyers and homeowners may be disappointed with the lack of support. If you’re wondering what the Spring Budget 2023 means for you and your money, here’s our summary of its key announcements:
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