Helen Bowsher - Mortgage Adviser at Pennymatters

30/07/2026

The base rate was held again at 3.75% but 3 members voted to increase it to 4% compared to only 2 at the last meeting. With inflation forecast to rise later in the year my personal opinion is there will be at least 1 increase before the end of 2026.

19/06/2026

This looks like a step in the right direction with upfront sales packs, streamlined digitalisation and earlier binding contracts for the home buying process.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/homebuying-shake-up-to-slash-delays-cut-costs-and-stop-sales-falling-through?fbclid=IwdGRjcASh0bxjbGNrBKHQ2GV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHsJeDUrEmbnI9jQLrc5fmmwCaNbXNfpWlgD07sy2aLH3TEvlaUVBPhs1Nrpv_aem_hdT31P5oEgUgeK-mTVWnVg

New rules introduced to simplify homebuying and selling making the process easier and simpler

17/05/2026

I'm not one to lean into the social aspect of the job, but I put on my big girl pants (literally) and accepted an invite from the sponsors Convey Buddy, to the Mortgage Strategy Awards last week.

What a night it was. So great to meet contacts face to face and get to swap stories with other amazing brokers from around the country.

Congratulations to all the winners from the small brokerages to large lenders and networks.

03/02/2026

New 98% mortgage launch for first time buyers!

Santander have launched an exciting product today called My First Mortgage.

- This mortgage can go up to 98% loan to value.
- A minimum £10,000 deposit is needed but this can be gifted from friends or family
- Maximum loan of £500k
- Only for employed applicants
- Not available for flats or new builds at present

19/12/2025

How will the base rate cut affect your mortgage?

If you are already on a fixed rate then there will be no change to your rate.

If you have an application in progress then I will be monitoring rates for you. However, the banks price their fixed rates according to swap rates rather than the Bank of England rate. The markets had predicted this cut and so it was already priced into the current fixed rates on offer. Therefore, we haven't seen any fixed rate adjustments really since the cut yesterday.

If you are on a tracker or applying for a tracker mortgage then your rate will fall by 0.25% in line with the decrease.

If you are on a discount rate then the bank may pass on the full 0.25% cut by decreasing their standard variable rate but they are not obligated too. Some decrease by a smaller margin and your rate will fall in line with the amount your individual bank cuts their SVR by.

If you have any questions you can reach me on [email protected]

25/11/2025

Speculation is rife about what may be in the budget this week – or may have already been announced by the time you see this – but the questions I’ll be looking for an answer to are…

❓Will Stamp Duty be restructured? Rumours suggest it could become either a tax paid by the seller, or replaced with an annual property tax instead.

❓Will Capital Gains Tax be changed? Speculation suggests owners of higher value homes could be subject to adjustments, especially those with properties worth over £1m.

❓Will Council Tax be reformed? Discussions are rumbling along around changing the system to be based on actual values rather than the bands that are currently used.

None of this is set in stone until the Chancellor stands up and reveals the details of the Government’s plans, but if you’ve got or need a mortgage right now, what’s going to make the biggest difference to you?

19/11/2025

Being energy efficient isn’t just good for the planet, it may save you money on your mortgage too…

Mortgage lenders are encouraging homeowners to invest in energy improvements to their properties by offering a few products that could save you money.

Some lenders offer lower rates for properties that have an A or B energy rating.

Some offer up to £10,000 cashback for clients to spend on improving energy efficiency of their property more energy efficient. The initial interest rate is slightly higher than a standard mortgage, but it may mean you can do necessary work immediately without having to borrow more in the future or delaying while you save up the funds.

And some lenders offer further advances for energy efficiency upgrades on an initial 0% rate for 2 or 5 years for loans from £5k - £20k.

So, if you’re thinking of borrowing for energy-efficient improvements, talk to a mortgage adviser to see if you are eligible for any of the lender schemes.

03/11/2025

Sometimes Monday's can be tough, but then something like this happens and you know the world's still full of magic.

21/10/2025

Struggling to get a deposit together to buy your next home? You may have more options than you realise…

If your dream of home ownership is being hindered by a lack of deposit, then don’t despair!

There are lenders out there who offer specialist schemes which may be able to help you achieve your goal, including:

- Lenders who will accept a personal loan as a deposit (subject to overall affordability)

- Lenders who will lend at 100% if you can show a 12-month history of paying rent on time

- Lenders who could put a 20% charge on your parents’ property as security and then lend at 100%. The parents can also be on the mortgage for affordability, but won’t be on the deeds. That means the extra income can be used, and the term is based on the younger applicant’s age.

If this is something you’re trying to navigate, speak to an adviser to see if there’s a solution out there that could work for you.

07/10/2025

Big thanks to Convey buddy for my champers this week. Always nice to get a surprise when the postman knocks with something other than a bill!