Lanarkshire Mortgage & Insurance Services

20/08/2026

FTBs could be missing out
Many hopeful homeowners could be closer to getting on the property than they realise, but they are underinformed about their mortgage options.

A survey by the Building Societies Association (BSA) has found that nearly half (47%) of people who want to buy a home have never spoken to a lender or mortgage broker. This means that many prospective first-time buyers (FTBs) don’t fully understand what’s available, so could be missing out on an opportunity to become a homeowner.
Even those who have sought advice might have outdated information - 46% of those who have previously explored their mortgage options have not done so in the last year. The mortgage market is constantly evolving in response to interest rates, so there may be new products that better suit their circumstances. Without up-to-date information, buyers risk ruling themselves out unnecessarily.

Could homeowning be closer than you think?
There is a common perception that now is a particularly difficult time to be a first-time buyer. While affordability is a challenge, perhaps some hopeful homeowners are more pessimistic than they need to be. When survey respondents were presented with mortgage options that require little or no deposit, two thirds (67%) said they could potentially purchase a home sooner than they had thought. This highlights a clear gap between perception and reality, with many prospective FTBs jumping to conclusions without doing the market research.

Main barriers to homeownership
According to the research, affordability remains the most widely cited obstacle to homeownership, with 64% identifying this as a challenge. Meanwhile, 53% said that saving for a deposit was a key issue, with 59% reporting less than £10,000 in savings. Due to these financial challenges, a third (32%) of respondents believe they will never be able to own a home.

Don’t give up
Paul Broadhead at the BSA commented, “Too many aspiring first-time buyers assume homeownership is off the table without ever checking what is actually available to them. This research shows that’s a mistake. When people explore the kinds of mortgages building societies offer, many realise they could buy sooner than they thought. A simple conversation with a building society or mortgage broker could open doors that you may not realise were there.”

Start the conversation
Your homeownership dreams could be closer than you realise, so get in touch for advice. We can access products that you wouldn’t necessarily be able to find on your own. We can also advise if you are eligible for any government schemes that will help you get on the property ladder.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Source:
https://moneyage.co.uk/47-of-aspiring-buyers-have-never-spoken-to-mortgage-broker-study-finds.php

19/08/2026

🏡 Viewings start tomorrow at this amazing property on Balblair Road!

If you haven’t already been in touch and would like to take a look, let us know and we’ll slot you into one of our viewings over the coming days.

Don’t miss out—contact us today! 📩🔑

📞 01236 750343
📧 [email protected]
💬 You can also message us on Facebook or WhatsApp

19/08/2026

Fluctuating mortgage rates
Mortgage rates are in a state of flux in response to the Middle East conflict, which is a constantly evolving situation.

Mortgage rates were on the rise at the start of April, with over 30 lenders increasing their rates and withdrawing some products from the market. However, by the end of the month, lenders had started to make cuts again. Despite this, at the end of April the average two- and five-year fixed mortgage was still higher than at the beginning of March, before the impact of the war had started to filter through to the economy.

Those who can afford larger deposits continue to fare better in the current economic landscape, as these are the products that are seeing the biggest rate reductions. On the other hand, homeowners who are coming to the end of their five-year fixed deals are likely to be hardest hit when looking for a remortgage deal, as their new rates could be significantly higher.

We can help you understand what the changing economic situation means for you and your mortgage. Get in touch to speak to a professional adviser.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. You may have to pay and early repayment charge to your existing lender if you remortgage.

Sources: https://www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk/news/mortgage-rates-keep-climbing-as-lender-repricing-continues/

https://www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk/news/mortgage-rates-fall-for-a-second-week-as-more-lenders-make-cuts/

18/08/2026

Fewer buyers looking to renovate
Research from Yopa indicates that the majority of buyers are looking for homes that require little to no work.

According to the survey, 54% of people who bought a home in the last year were only prepared to make minor cosmetic changes to their new home. Meanwhile, 23% were looking for a fully modernised ‘turnkey’ property that was ready to live in. Only 3% were actively seeking a full renovation project and a further 3% were willing to buy a home that needed structural changes.

When asked why they did not want to renovate, 21% said they would rather avoid the disruption and 17% wanted to move in quickly. Of the people who were up for a project, 21% said it was so they could benefit from a lower purchase price, while 19% wanted the opportunity to create their own style.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

Sources: https://theintermediary.co.uk/2026/06/77-of-homebuyers-seek-properties-requiring-no-work-finds-yopa/

https://londonlovesproperty.com/homebuyers-shun-renovation-projects-as-77-seek-homes-requiring-little-or-no-work/

14/08/2026

Appreciation Fridays. It's always good to get another 5 star review. Thank you Chris and Abby.

"Would recommend David to anyone, he helped us from start to finish and not once did we feel like we had to try and manage any aspect of the process on our own.

He was extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of the mortgage application process, understanding of our individual scenarios as buyers and he was always just a phone call or email away when we had any questions. On top of that he is a really friendly guy who makes you feel very at ease.

Overall, this process would have been a lot more stressful and time consuming if we didn’t have him there to help us. We will 100% be using him again for any services that we require in the future. "

13/08/2026

Changes in borrower behaviour
Analysis from Moneyfacts shows how borrowers’ priorities have shifted due to the economic impact of the Middle East conflict.

Mortgage rates have been fluctuating since March and the short-term economic outlook is still unpredictable. As such, borrowers are increasingly looking for more flexible mortgage deals in the hope that rates will come down soon. According to the data, 6% of borrowers were looking for a variable or tracker deal last September, but this figure rose to 13% in April after the outbreak of war. Meanwhile, the share of mortgage holders looking for a two-year fixed deal increased from 49% to 53%. The statistics suggest that people are reluctant to commit to a five-year deal at the moment, as searches have gone down from 27% to 23%.

Adam French at Moneyfacts said, “Demand for five-year fixes is usually strongest among homemovers, who value certainty in their monthly payments, particularly as they have usually taken on a larger debt. Instead, there has been a dramatic swing towards shorter term options.”

We can help you navigate the changing mortgage market and find a deal that works for you and your finances. Get in touch for advice today.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

Sources:
https://www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk/news/demand-for-variable-rates-doubles-moneyfacts/

https://www.moneyfactsgroup.co.uk/media-centre/consumer/rocketing-rates-drive-borrowers-toward-two-year-fix-and-variable-deals/

12/08/2026

Buyers delaying their next move
Many prospective buyers feel ready to move in 2026, but affordability concerns and uncertainty are still causing hesitation.

Confidence versus action
Research shows that 52% of prospective buyers believe they are ready to purchase a property this year. However, there remains a significant gap between confidence and actually making a move.

High property prices and the challenge of saving for a deposit continue to be major barriers for many households. Rising living costs and uncertainty around mortgage affordability have also made it harder for some buyers to feel financially prepared.

For first-time buyers in particular, balancing rental costs with saving for a deposit continues to be a significant challenge, despite improving confidence across parts of the housing market.

Understanding the process
The research also found that 31% of respondents felt they lacked understanding of the homebuying process itself. Many prospective buyers are also unclear about the different mortgage products available.

We can help
Seeking professional mortgage advice can help buyers better understand their options and feel more confident. We can help you explore suitable mortgage options.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Source:https://www.mortgageadvicebureau.com/press-releases/four-in-ten-aspiring-homeowners-still-holding-back-despite-rising-confidence/

11/08/2026

What’s happening to the mortgage market?
The mortgage market is facing uncertainty due to ongoing developments in the Middle East.

Affordability challenges had been easing slightly in recent months - mortgage rates were slowly coming down due to cuts to Bank Rate. In January 2026, the average monthly mortgage payment was 7% lower than the previous year.

However, the recent outbreak of war in Iran has made the short-term outlook much more uncertain. At the start of March, 472 residential mortgage products were taken off the market within a 48-hour period, in response to rising swap rates. This trend continued throughout the month, with a fifth of overall mortgage deals removed from the market by 21 March. First-time buyers have been hit particularly badly – they may notice that rates are higher on low-deposit deals.

Adam French at Moneyfacts commented, “It’s unwelcome news for borrowers, as the prospect of falling mortgage rates has quickly given way to rate rises. How far they could go is now heavily dependent on how global markets and inflation expectations evolve as conflict in the Middle East unfolds.”

We can help you understand how the economic situation affects you and your mortgage – get in touch for support.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/23/uk-mortgage-interest-rates-markets-bank-of-england-iran-war

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y7gnkez3lo

https://moneyfactscompare.co.uk/news/mortgages/impact-of-iran-war-on-mortgages/

https://moneyage.co.uk/472-mortgage-products-withdrawn-in-48-hours.php

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/news/articles/property-news/average-monthly-mortgage-payment-down-january

06/08/2026

The cost of delaying protection
It can be tempting to delay taking out life insurance or other protection cover, particularly if you are young and healthy and do not feel an immediate need for cover.

Some people assume that putting off taking out a policy means saving money because they will pay premiums for fewer years. However, prolonging the decision could actually make life insurance more expensive and reduce the options available to you in the future.

The cost of delaying

Every life insurance policy is different, depending on the policyholder’s specific circumstances. Your premiums will be calculated based on how much cover you need, your age and general health. As you get older, premiums tend to become more expensive to reflect the increased risk of mortality.

You might think that waiting six months won’t make much of a difference to the cost of your policy, but what if you had a health complication within that time? Even a minor change to your health can cause insurers to increase premiums, impose exclusions or reduce the level of cover. Getting a policy sooner rather than later can help secure lower premiums and provide long-term certainty for both you and your family.

Consider your wider financial plan

Life insurance can play an important role within a financial plan, particularly when it comes to preserving wealth for future generations. From April 2027, unused pension funds will be treated as part of a person’s estate, prompting many people to review their existing arrangements. Because of this, some families are writing life insurance in trust to ensure that beneficiaries are not taxed on the money they receive from their insurance policy. If your family will rely on a life insurance payout to support them after your death, it is particularly important to review your cover now.

Thinking of leaving the UK?

Life insurance is also worth considering if there is a chance that you may live abroad in the future. Whether you are planning to retire overseas or relocate for work, your residency status can affect your cover. Some policies only insure permanent UK residents, while others may be happy to keep existing cover in place. Taking out a policy well in advance of moving can increase your chances of being eligible for UK protection. It’s therefore advisable to get cover as soon as possible and familiarise yourself with the policy terms.

Contact us

While delaying a decision about life insurance may seem harmless, it can significantly impact the cost and level of cover you receive. We can help you understand how protection fits into your financial plan. Get in touch for advice.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply

Source:
https://www.ftadviser.com/content/47c79204-94cc-4a88-b7a3-de16d85d7846

05/08/2026

Protect your child’s future
If you’re busy looking after your children, you may not have had a chance to stop and think about life insurance, but this is key to protecting your family’s future.

We know it’s not easy to think about what would happen in the event of your death; however, the loss of your income could significantly impact your family’s lifestyle at an already distressing time. Even if you are a stay-at-home parent, it could cost a lot to replace what you contribute to the household in childcare.

The benefits for your children

Attending higher education often comes at a great cost for a child and their families. With the right protection policy, you can ensure that your offspring would still have the opportunity to attend university or training, even if you are not there to support them.

There are different types of life insurance to choose from depending on your needs. Family income benefit is designed to provide regular monthly payments to surviving family members, rather than a lump sum. This can help give you peace of mind that your loved ones would still receive a steady income if you passed away.

The earlier you take steps to secure a happy financial future for your kids, the better - review your policy now.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply

Sources:
https://www.zurich.co.uk/life-insurance/start-protecting-your-childs-future

https://go2-mortgages.co.uk/blog/securing-your-childs-future-the-role-of-life-insurance-in-long-term-planning

Pre-occupied with running around after your children, you may not have thought about protecting their future. But here’s why you might want to…