We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More » This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Mortgages & endowments

Archives for March 2009

Can I apply again?
Hi Guys, We're in the process of applying for a mortgage now that we've had an offer accepted on a property. We went to see an independent broker who put an application in to a lender for us which has been turned down due to affordability. :( However we had previously approached the same lender before we saw the broker and…
Asking Prices- What To Offer? Help Pls!
Sorry this is a bit long- but I really dont know what to do... ...My bf & I have seen a house we both love. The house is on the market for £179,950 and has been on for 5 weeks. The vendor told me she had accepted an offer on the house after 4 days of being on but it fell through as the couple decided to move back to…
Valuation problems!
Hi all, Everything with our mortgage was going pretty smoothly (well as smooth as a mortgage application can go) then the bank did a valuation, the valuer messed up and assumed from a (CTL) form, my abbreviation could be totally wrong I was led to believe it was a form with the suggested selling price on, we were buying…
Remortgaging with compulsory insurance?
I've just organised my remortgage with Northern Rock. They charge £25 if you don't buy their building insurance. I contacted my current providers, (Churchill), to ask if they would cover the charge and they DID :j I received a cheque today. I knew that many providers would pay £25 to gain business, but didn't realise they…
Best fixed rate options for remortgaging but poss house move in next 2 years?
Hi, Apologies in advance for sounding dim over this, but here goes.... We'll be looking to move house in the next year or so (hoping to trade up from a flat to a house) and our current fixed rate deal is coming to an end in 3 months time. I'm anxious to get a new fixed rate deal whilst the rates are still low, but am…
Fixed rate to tracker?
Hi guys just wanted some advice on the following, I am currently on a fixed rate mortgage with my lender, and ave been since 2005 when I took out the mortgage. Therefore, the reduction in BOE rate never applied to me, however, my fixed rate comes to an end in November, is anyone aware if I can then get a tracker mortgage…
Abbey - why haven't they reduced their SVR?
I don't know whether anyone has posted about this before but I have a mortgage with the Abbey whose SVR (standard variable rate) is sitting at 4.94%. I am considering writing to the Abbey and asking why when Bank Base was at 5% their SVR was at 6.94% (1.94% above base) and now that Bank Base is at 0.5% the SVR is at 4.44%…
Abbey - why haven't they reduced their SVR?
I don't know whether anyone has posted about this before but I have a mortgage with the Abbey whose SVR (standard variable rate) is sitting at 4.94%. I am considering writing to the Abbey and asking why when Bank Base was at 5% their SVR was at 6.94% (1.94% above base) and now that Bank Base is at 0.5% the SVR is at 4.44%…
Mortgate Lending during Maternity
Hi All Hope someone can help. My wife is now pregnant with twins, and we're hoping to move house before they're born. How will a mortgage company view her salary (for the lending calculations) if she's going to be on statutory maternity pay whilst on maternity leave? Will they take her salary, or the SMP as her earnings?…
Finish Tracker - Onto SVR - Can you change mortgage length?
Still some way off finishing my current tracker with Nationwide, but one of the options I am looking at is to maybe just remain on their SVR for a couple of years and really try and blitz the mortgage as much as possible. If rates stay roughly the same for the coming months, the SVR will be 2.5% or near that, some way…
Making best use of insurance pay out, advice please.
I'm looking for advice for a family member, let me explain... Her husband died last year and the insurance that was tied to the mortgage is due to be paid directly to her I believe. I'm told the insurance pay out will be £40k with £36k remaining to be paid on the mortgage. The current interest rate on the mortgage is 0.94%…
Advice please.....
Hi, Myself & OH have an endowment taken ut in 1991 & due to mature in 2016. It was supposed to cover our original mortgage of £35100. We will be lucky to get £17000 in 2016. It isn't linked to our mortgage anymore & is just savings. Our mortgage is currently £106000 and we are overpaying £500 pcm. My question is do we cash…
Calculating first month's interest
Hello all, We're exchanging contracts tomorrow and have an Alliance & Leicester mortgage, and we were wondering if anyone could shed any light on how they calculate our first month's payment. I know it includes interest from when we move in and a full month in advance, but was wondering if anyone can tell me how to work it…
Help re ERP!
This is my first post and I'm hoping someone can help me as there does look to be some very good advance on here. We've got a fixed rate (but transferable) mortgage with A&L with a 4% ERP but we're going to have to downsize our house to reduce our mortgage/monthly outgoings. If we do that will we have to pay the full ERP's…
First Time Buyer: 3 vs 5 Year Fixed
Hello there, I am a first time buyer, what do you MoneySavers think will be best for me: 1. 3 year fixed @ 5.84% or 2. 5 year fixed @ 5.69%. I think that two years will be too short as we don't want to be coming out of our fixed rate into a recession with the house being the same price that as what we paid for it. 5 years…
Do any lenders provide an offer at a set rate open for 6 mths?
Have just been to Skipton BS. Looking to purchase a house in Scotland in 4 1/2 months time. Have spoken to Skipton & Leeds BS and both will only keep an offer open for 3 months (at a guaranteed rate) even if we pay a booking fee. Does anyone know of any banks or building society's which will keep an offer open for 6…
Variable Mortgage?????
Haven't done this before so forgive me if this is in the wrong place. Me and my husband have split up and I want to buy him out of the mortgage. We are currently with Abbey and they have said it looks ok for me to get the mortgage I want on my own! They have offered me 5.69% on a 3 year variable mortgage! Is this any…
Woolwich - how long should it take?
I wonder if anyone could help me with a question I have?? I am in the process of selling my house (all seems to be going well), and am in constant communication with my buyer (which has undoubtedly helped things along), but the query I have is with my buyer's buyer. I know strictly speaking its not my responsibility to…
remortgage with daughter & partner or not?
I'm looking for advice on whether to allow my daughter and her partner to come in on our mortgage. I'm 47, my husband is 50. Our outstanding mortgage is £95,000 and 18 years, and our property is currently worth around £260,000. We would need to borrow an extra £35,000 to extend, which our mortgage lender has agreed in…
Stick or Twist?
Like many people I came to the end of my fixed rate mortgage in December 2008 and I have been enjoying the benefits of a variable rate with Bristol and West since then (currently 2.99%) My mortgage payments have dropped by £85 a month, however, I can't help thinking that how long is my luck here going to last! I spoke to…

★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

View All

Mortgages & endowments

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free

Mortgages & endowments

Discussion List

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free