All Posts

Thinking about building a Buy-to-Let portfolio? How you own your properties can have a significant impact on your tax position, cash flow and ability to reinvest into future purchases. For higher-rate taxpayers, owning BTL properties personally means mortgage interest cannot be deducted from rental income when calculating taxable profit. By contrast, a qualifying property investment company can generally deduct mortgage interest as an allowable expense, with profits then sub

Mortgage borrowers should be aware that Nationwide Building Society is increasing selected mortgage rates from Thursday 10 September 2026. The changes will see selected fixed and tracker mortgage rates increase by up to 0.20%. Source and photo image: BBC News/ Kevin Peachey The increases affect a range of products, including selected mortgages for: First-time buyers Home movers Existing Nationwide customers moving home Remortgage customers Customers switching their existing m

I’m delighted to share that I’ve just added another e-book to my Ultimate Guide series. This time focusing on Development Finance. 🏗️ Development finance can sometimes feel like a complicated world of LTCs, LTGDVs, GDVs, valuations, drawdowns, interest, exits and lender criteria. My aim with this guide was simple: 👉 Take away the jargon and make development finance easier to understand. Whether you’re a new or inexperienced property developer considering your first project,

By CYS Financial Ltd | August 2026 What could happen to the Bank of England Base Rate next? At the moment, the outlook is far from certain. The Bank of England's Bank Rate currently stands at 3.75%. While mortgage rates have fallen from their previous highs, the Bank's recent decisions show that further reductions cannot be taken for granted. At its June 2026 meeting, the Monetary Policy Committee voted 7–2 to keep Bank Rate at 3.75%, with two members preferring an increase

How Could the US Strikes on Iran Affect UK Mortgage Rates?* News of the recent US military strikes on Iran has dominated headlines, leaving many homeowners and property investors wondering: "What does this have to do with my mortgage?" At first glance, a conflict thousands of miles away may seem unrelated to the UK property market. However, global events can have a surprisingly significant impact on mortgage pricing. Why does a conflict in the Middle East matter? Iran sits

I finally did it... our very first e-book! 🎉📖 I've been wanting to do this for ages, and I'm so excited to finally share it with you. The Ultimate First-Time Buyer's Guide is the first of what I hope will be many practical guides designed to make property and finance feel less overwhelming. One thing I was very intentional about was not making it overly technical. There are plenty of guides filled with jargon and complex detail, but that wasn't my goal. I wanted to create s

If you've been following the news recently, you've probably heard about the Bank of England Base Rate. Every time it's announced, headlines often claim that "mortgage rates are set to rise" or "borrowers could save money." But what exactly is the Base Rate, and why does it matter if you're buying a home or remortgaging? Let's break it down. What is the Bank of England Base Rate? The Bank of England Base Rate is the interest rate set by the Bank of England. It influences h

The latest Nationwide House Price Index shows the housing market is proving more resilient than many expected. Annual house price growth has edged higher, but monthly growth has remained relatively flat, suggesting the market is stabilising rather than accelerating. So, what does this mean for property investors? For Q3 2026, I expect the market to remain selective. Well-priced properties in areas with strong rental demand should continue to attract buyers, while overpriced

John Healey has been appointed as the UK's new Chancellor... and the markets have wasted no time reacting. Defence stocks, including BAE Systems, Babcock and QinetiQ, have all moved higher as investors expect increased government spending on defence under Healey's leadership. At the same time, gilt markets and sterling have remained relatively stable, suggesting investors currently see him as a credible and fiscally disciplined appointment, but they're waiting to see exactly

Not sure whether to choose a fixed rate or a variable rate mortgage? Here's a simple way to think about it. A fixed rate mortgage means your monthly payments stay the same for an agreed period, usually 2 or 5 years. It's great if you want certainty and protection from interest rate rises. A variable rate mortgage, on the other hand, can go up or down depending on your lender's rate or changes in the market. That means your monthly payments could change too. Here's a bonus tip

If you're buying, selling or investing in property, here's what you need to know. Firstly, nothing changes overnight. Any major tax reforms would still need to go through Parliament before becoming law. However, there are some proposals that property owners should keep an eye on. 🏡 Stamp Duty: Burnham has previously backed replacing Stamp Duty with an annual property tax. That could make moving home cheaper upfront, but homeowners may pay an annual charge instead. No changes

Why are mortgage rates changing when the Bank of England hasn't moved interest rates? I highly recommend checking the latest on swap rate movement on https://propertyresearch.uk/insights/swap-rates Here, you will find all that you need to know tracking the relationship between Bank of England base rate and swap rates. Be sure to check out propertyresearch.uk Information here is accurate as at 15 July 2026 and will change without notice. One question I get asked all the time

ARCH & BLOOM by Berkeley Homes What a fantastic evening at the VIP launch of Arch & Bloom, Guildford by Berkeley Homes. I feel incredibly grateful to have been invited to the exclusive first-phase release of what promises to be a truly outstanding development. Berkeley Homes has an exceptional reputation for delivering high-quality homes and creating vibrant communities, and Arch & Bloom is another excellent example of this. It was also a pleasure to reconnect with so many pr

One of the biggest mistakes I see property investors make when trying to scale their portfolio… Not declaring their rental income properly. Many landlords think they are being clever by minimising declared income, but the reality is this can seriously damage future borrowing power. Why? Because when you come to refinance, release equity, or purchase the next property, lenders assess affordability based on declared income and tax returns. If the income is not visible on pape

Mixed-use properties have become increasingly popular among developers and investors across London and the South East. Combining commercial and residential elements within a single development can create stronger yields, diversified income streams, and long-term capital growth. However, financing these projects requires specialist knowledge, careful planning, and access to the right lenders. At CYS Financial Ltd, we regularly help developers and property investors secure fina

Most people don’t realise this… You can be classed as a landlord WITHOUT being an investor. If you’ve moved out of your home and rented it, you may fall under “consumer buy-to-let” This changes the lenders available to you. I’ve seen clients go down the wrong route and get their mortgage declined because of this. If you're unsure which category you fall into, feel free to message me 👍 Tilly pup and I welcome your enquiries 🐶🐾 #buytolet #property #mortgages #speciali

Great to attend a thought-provoking seminar jointly hosted by HSBC & FSB, at the Surrey University, where expert panellists shared valuable insights on why sustainability 💚 is essential for every business. What really stood out is how this shift is now influencing lending decisions and mortgage incentives across the market. We’re seeing more mortgage lenders actively support greener initiatives through 💚 Green Mortgage products by offering preferential rates for energy-effi

Buying a home in the UK can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time buyers. The mortgage market is complex, with many types of loans, fluctuating interest rates, and various government schemes. Understanding these elements can help you make informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls. This guide breaks down the essentials of the UK mortgage market, offering practical tips, current trends, and advice on improving your financial standing before applying. . Understanding D