Each week, the editorial team of Mortgage Solutions will select our highlights of the week for your enjoyment.
Following the base rate cut last week, some brokers have reported a rise in enquiries, especially from first-time buyers and those looking to remortgage, adding that it has boosted customer confidence.
They said that if the base rate continues to drop, then this trend would continue, and that more people would be coming off fixed rates in the coming months, whether that is off five-year fixed rates or post-Truss two-year fixed rates.
Our second pick is Rightmove figures showing that five-year fixed rates have fallen below 4% since February.
Moving on to the third slot, there is a blog from Andrew Ferguson, managing director of buy to let (BTL) for West One Loans, talking about how landlords need to be involved in possible Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) legislation that would mandate landlords to ensure their properties reach a rating of C or higher by 2030.
Some key questions were raised about how good EPC ratings are along with potential incentives and transparency of timelines.
The fourth pick of the week is a blog from Sophie Espinasse on what brokers can do to meet the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA’s) expectations for supporting borrowers in financial difficulty.
Finally, our one to one with Jonathan Bone from Better.co.uk talked about the strategy of the firm and where it sees opportunities.
Base rate cut has boosted customer enquiries, especially from FTBs, brokers say
Lowest five-year fixed rate is below 4% for first time since February – Rightmove
Labour must consult with landlords in minimum EPC rule resurrection – Ferguson
As borrower distress spirals, how does the FCA want firms to help? – Espinasse
Anna is currently the deputy editor for Mortgage Solutions and editor for Specialist Lending Solutions. She has worked as a journalist since 2019, having secured her Gold Standard NCTJ diploma from News Associates in a fast-track six-month course.
She started her career as a report at specialist publication The Insurance Insider covering a wide range of areas before joining Mortgage Solutions and Specialist Lending Solutions in 2021.
In her role, she helps put together and structure the news agenda for the day and writes up press releases, reports, interviews, analyses and exclusives across both titles. She also commissions blogs for Specialist Lending Solutions and hosts online masterclasses and in-person events across the business.
She has been shortlisted for three journalism awards, which include BIBA Journalist and Media Awards Scoop of Year Award in 2020, Headline Money Mortgage Journalist of the Year Award (B2B) in 2022 and 2023.
Prior to being a journalist, Anna worked in ecommerce across Snow + Rock, Cycle Surgery and Runners Need websites, and before that worked at specialist financial PR firm Rostrum.
In her spare time, Anna enjoys reading, seeing live music, and cooking for friends and family. When she gets a chance, she also enjoys hiking, skiing and indoor rock climbing.
