Rhys Edwards Mortgage Consultant

09/07/2026

My view on the current market rates vs house pricing, which is leading the market?

Broker reveals why falling rates, not price data, are bringing buyers back to the market

04/07/2026

📈 Mortgage Market, This Weeks Round-Up

It's been another positive week in the mortgage market, with a number of lenders continuing to trim rates and improve product offerings. Every reduction helps, particularly for clients approaching the end of a deal or looking to get onto the property ladder.

There was also some significant industry news this week, with the announcement that the Halifax Intermediaries brand will transition to Lloyds.
For many brokers, Halifax has been a core lender for years, so it certainly feels like the end of an era. However, the change brings some exciting opportunities, particularly the prospect of greater access to Lloyds Premier products and rates, providing more choice and potentially more competitive options for clients.

The combination of falling rates, increased lender competition and broader product availability is creating a much more positive environment than we've seen for some time.

As always, I'll be keeping a close eye on developments and helping clients navigate the best options available.

Have a great weekend everyone.

30/06/2026

See my thoughts on recent headlines, Falling Mortgage approvals

Mortgage professionals say buyers are taking longer to commit as remortgage approvals drop sharply and rate cut hopes fade

22/06/2026

The UK has some of the youngest first-time buyers in Europe—but can more be done to support them? I’ve shared my thoughts in this Mortgage Introducer article.

The UK's average first-time buyer age is 28 – but brokers say location, deposits, and knowledge still hold many back

16/06/2026

Good news if you’ve been keeping an eye on mortgage rates

Over the last few days, we’ve started to see fixed rates come down again following more positive news globally – particularly with tensions in the Middle East easing.

A few of the big lenders like Virgin, Santander and Nationwide have already announced that they reducing their fixed rates, which is always a good sign of where the market is heading.

Nothing dramatic overnight, but definitely a step in the right direction

What this means in simple terms:

* Lenders are becoming a bit more competitive again
* Fixed rates are starting to edge down
* Opportunities are opening up for both buyers and those remortgaging

If you’ve got a deal ending soon, or you’ve been holding off to see what happens with rates, it’s probably a good time this week to have another look at things.

I also think it’s unlikely we’ll see much movement on the Bank of England base rate at Thursday’s review, so this kind of lender-driven pricing shift is where the opportunity is right now.

As always with mortgages though… timing matters. Rates can move quickly in either direction.

11/06/2026

I was recently asked my thoughts on how broker standards are improving, link to the article below.

https://www.mpamag.com/uk/news/general/broker-standards-are-improving-but-the-system-still-has-work-to-do/578461?

Time pressure, complex cases, and inconsistent lender criteria – the real obstacles to raising broker standards

09/06/2026

To consolidate or not to consolidate… that’s the question!

Debt consolidation is often presented as a simple solution — combine everything into one payment and reduce the monthly cost.
But the reality is a bit more nuanced.

Before deciding whether to consolidate, it’s important to understand what it actually does and when it makes sense:

✅ What consolidation can help with:
* Simplifying multiple payments into one
* Improving monthly cash flow
* Potentially reducing interest if a lower rate is secured

⚠️ What to be mindful of:
* Extending repayment terms can mean paying more overall
* Secured borrowing (e.g. against your home) increases risk
* It doesn’t address underlying spending habits or financial pressure

🤔 When it might be suitable:
* You’re managing several high-interest debts
* Cash flow is tight and needs improving short-term
* You have a clear plan to avoid building debt again

🚫 When it might not be right:
* The total cost of borrowing increases significantly
* You’re turning unsecured debt into secured debt unnecessarily
* There are alternative solutions available (e.g. restructuring or budgeting support)

The key takeaway?

👉 Consolidation is a tool — not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Every situation is different, and the right approach comes from understanding the full picture, not just the monthly payment.

If you’re unsure, taking a step back and getting proper advice can help you make a decision that works both now and long term.

‘This post does not constitute as financial advice’

08/06/2026

Is your mortgage deal due in the next 3-6months?

Or are you thinking of moving home.

Book a free meeting where we can discuss, rates, affordability options and more

https://calendly.com/rhys-edwards-mortgages/mortgage-meeting?

05/06/2026

💡 How bonus, overtime & allowances can boost your mortgage borrowing!

When people think about mortgage affordability, they often focus on basic salary — but your total income package can make a much bigger difference than you might expect.

If you receive bonus, overtime or allowances, these could significantly increase how much you can borrow… but it depends on how lenders assess them.

Here’s how it typically works

🔹 Guaranteed income (up to 100%)

Most lenders will consider up to 100% of guaranteed additional income, such as:

Contracted overtime
Fixed allowances (e.g. car allowance)
Guaranteed bonuses written into your employment contract

Because this income is viewed as reliable and consistent, lenders are generally comfortable using the full amount in affordability calculations.

🔹 Non‑guaranteed income (typically 50% but some high street lenders consider up to 60-70%)

For income that fluctuates — such as:

Performance-based bonuses
Commission
Variable overtime

Lenders tend to take a more cautious approach. The industry “norm” is to use a % of this income, helping to account for any variation.

🔹 When can you use more than 50-70%? - This is where lender choice really matters.

Some lenders will consider up to 100% of non‑guaranteed income if you can demonstrate a strong track record, usually:

2+ years history
Consistency or upward trend
Evidence via payslips and P60s

This can make a meaningful difference to borrowing power — especially for professionals whose earnings are heavily bonus-driven.

🔹 Why this matters
Two applicants with identical basic salaries could have very different borrowing potential, simply because one lender:

Uses 50% of variable income
While another is willing to use up to 70%
and others that could consider up to 100%

That’s why understanding lender criteria and working with someone who does — is key.

🔹The takeaway

If you earn beyond your basic salary, don’t assume it won’t count.
With the right lender, your full earnings picture could be taken into account — helping you maximise your borrowing potential.

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14/05/2026

£5,000 Deposit mortgage available on Monday from Halifax

Looks like an interesting approach and will help clients with smaller deposit to get started on the housing ladder

Key details

• Only one customer on a joint application has to be a FTB

• Up to a maximum purchase price of £300,000

• £5,000 minimum personal deposit which cannot be gifted. Proof of deposit may be required

• Employed and self-employed customers; no minimum income level

• 5 year fixed rate product, with a £0 product fee available above 95% to 98.34% LTV

• A free Level 1 mortgage valuation will be included with these products.

Looks like a great option Halifax say its available from Monday 18th.

Acceptance will be subject to meeting the lenders criteria, affordability and underwriting requirements.