Interesting data released by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) shows that lenders have pledged £38bn in new mortgage lending. This is £10bn more than was pledged this time last year. Lending for house purchase now accounts for more new lending than remortgages for the first time since late 2007, the FSA says. In Quarter [...]

  The Bank of England has held the bank base rate at 0.5% for the sixth month in a row.

  The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) monthly Market Survey for August shows the number of first-time buyers increased by 36% in August. The NAEA says first-time buyers form the basis of chains and if sustained will lead to a general improvement in the market. As predicted by the NAEA over the past two [...]

  Signs are emerging that Lenders are starting to offer more mortgage products. HSBC has joined other lenders offering new products and launched a 1.99% mortgage on a two-year discount rate – available to customers with a deposit of 40%. Other mortgages within its new range include a two-year discount mortgage for customers with at [...]