Mortgage Rates Drop in the UK
Several major UK lenders have cut mortgage rates this week, offering some relief to borrowers. NatWest launched a five-year fixed-rate mortgage at 3.71%, the cheapest currently available, but it requires a 40% deposit and a £1,495 fee.
Barclays also introduced new mortgage products and reduced rates on existing ones. They offer a five-year fixed-rate mortgage at 4.05% for borrowers with a 25% deposit and no product fee.
HSBC UK also announced mortgage rate cuts across its ranges. They now offer a five-year fixed-rate mortgage at 3.84% for borrowers with a 60% loan-to-value ratio (LTV), and 3.99% for borrowers with a 70% or 75% LTV. They also reduced rates on higher LTV mortgages, offering a five-year fixed-rate mortgage at 4.29% for borrowers with an 80% LTV.
According to Moneyfacts, the average two-year fixed homeowner mortgage rate on the market is now 5.55%, down from 5.56% on Monday. The average five-year fixed residential mortgage rate is now 5.19%, down from 5.20% on Monday.
Rachel Springall, a finance expert at Moneyfacts, advises consumers to seek advice to navigate the mortgage market and find the most appropriate deal based on true cost, not just the headline rate.
6 Comments
BuggaBoom
I'm so happy I can finally afford to buy my dream home thanks to these lower rates.
KittyKat
So called 'relief' still means extortionate rates! People are struggling and banks are making a killing.
Katchuka
This is an insult! How are people supposed to afford these rates when everything else is going up?!
Noir Black
Sick of these banks getting richer while the rest of us struggle to survive! This is outrageous!
Eugene Alta
I'm glad the government is working with banks to make housing more affordable.
Katchuka
I'm so angry! I can't afford a home even with these so-called 'reduced' rates.