“Mortgage & Protection News” Issue 5 Autumn/Winter 2018

Caz Blake-Symes • November 21, 2018

Call us today for the best Mortgage Advice in Bristol, Bath and Exeter

Welcome to our latest newsletter. If you’re looking to secure (or remortgage) a loan or at ways to protect you (and your family), it’s probably no surprise that you may be confused about the most suitable route forward. Not only are there continuing issues surrounding Brexit, and other economic impacts, but there’s also a stricter lending environment to encounter along the way.

In this issue, we set out how our advice may benefit you, and highlight that despite mortgage rates edging up slightly, there are still some decent deals on offer. If you’re a hopeful First-Time Buyer, then we cover some further good news from the Autumn 2018 Budget. Conversely, if you feel stuck on your Lender’s Standard Variable Rate, there’s also a growing desire to help this group.

Looking at Protection, we show that some customer concerns: “it’s too expensive”, “they rarely pay out”; simply don’t hold true. Alongside this there are sobering stats that set out that we may not be as resilient as we possibly think, reinforcing the need for some amount of cover.

Finally, the Buy-to-Let landlord has had a tough time of it recently, but many are now evolving their business models to take advantage of the potential that still exists, such as the average asking rent outside London hitting more than £800 a month for the first time.

I hope you find the issue of interest and, once you’ve had a chance to look through, do pass it onto friends, relatives or work colleagues, if you think it may be relevant to them too.

To see all our newsletters, please visit our Newsletters page

For more details please visit one of our websites or call us today

www.bristolmortgagesonline.com 0117 325 1511

www.bathmortgagesonline.com 01275 584 888

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email info@swmortgages.com

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Understanding Mortgage Affordability in 2026

By Caz Blake-Symes • February 16, 2026
we enter 2026, mortgage affordability remains one of the biggest concerns for homebuyers and homeowners alike. With interest rates, living costs, and lending criteria continuing to evolve, understanding what lenders look at when assessing affordability is more important than ever.

First home, faster with My First Mortgage from Santander

By Caz Blake-Symes • February 9, 2026
On 3 February, Santander are the first large lender to launch a First-time Buyer Mortgage over 95% LTV. It’s called My First Mortgage and is up to 98% LTV. Supporting FTBs is a key focus for us whilst lending responsibly.

Check out our January 2026 Newsletter!

By Caz Blake-Symes • January 19, 2026
This month’s edition is packed full of informative articles, including • Welcome and overview from Phil Clark • Base rate cut to 3.75%: what could it mean for mortgages? • Interest-Only Mortgages For Later Life. • Need Short-Term Property Finance? • What You Should Know About Second Charge Mortgages • Time to Remortgag

Thinking of Moving or Changing Your Mortgage in 2026?

By Caz Blake-Symes • January 6, 2026
Image courtesy of Freepix Happy New Year! Hope you all had a good Christmas Break and avoided the dreaded coughs and colds. I had the opportunity over the holiday to review many of the various property and finance reports available online, as well as those to which I subscribe. Pleasingly, the general tone is very opti

Season's Greetings from Phil Clark

By Caz Blake-Symes • December 20, 2025
I would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2026

Base rate cut to 3.75%: what could it mean for mortgages?

By Caz Blake-Symes • December 18, 2025
The Bank of England meets every six weeks to decide what should happen to interest rates, with the aim of keeping inflation to its target and keeping the wider economy healthy. Today, Base Rate was cut from 4% to 3.75%.

House Price Index: November 2025

By Caz Blake-Symes • December 8, 2025
With the Budget uncertainty now lifted, buyers and sellers can return to making decisions about their next move. Removing the threat of a new annual property tax from 210,000 homes for sale will help revive market activity in higher-value areas. However, the lack of any stamp duty reform means homebuyers will continue

Check out our November newsletter!

By Caz Blake-Symes • November 28, 2025
Please click here to see our November newsletter This month’s edition is packed full of interesting articles, including What does the Budget mean for you? Interest-Only Mortgages For Later Life. Need Short-Term Property Finance? What is the Renters’ Rights Act, and what does it mean for tenants? What You Should Know About Second Charge Mortgages Time to Remortgage? Stunning 5-star Google Reviews! Let Us Help You If You Have Adverse Credit How to Contact Us You can also read more articles on our Blog. We hope you enjoy this Newsletter. If you have any queries, please call Phil Clark on 0117 325 1511 or email info@swmortgages.com

Budget 2025: Key points at a glance

By Caz Blake-Symes • November 27, 2025
Rachel Reeves has set out details of her second Budget since becoming Chancellor. Some measures from the yearly tax and spending plan had already been announced in the days leading up to the statement.

Interest-Only Mortgages For Later Life

By Caz Blake-Symes • November 19, 2025
We are thrilled to be able to offer this fantastic product through the Family Building Society. This interest-only mortgage gives those of retirement age and beyond the opportunity to free up equity from their home, without the huge costs often faced when considering Equity Release or a Lifetime Mortgage.