Kevin Stead - Stead Mortgages

01/02/2026

Budget impact on landlords
Research suggests that landlords may be forced to raise rents to account for tax hikes announced in the Autumn Budget.

From April 2027, landlords will face a 2% tax increase on their rental income - the basic rate of property income tax will rise from 20% to 22%, while the higher rate will increase from 40% to 42%. Those paying the additional rate will pay 47%.

In a survey of landlords, 86% said they expected the measures to push rents higher. But the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act takes effect in May 2026 – from then, landlords will only be able to raise rents once a year.

Ryan Etchells at Together commented, “this will inevitably result in higher rents from next year onwards, and if landlords can’t make their portfolios work for them they could be forced to sell-up altogether.”

Sources:
https://www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk/news/nine-in-10-fear-2-tax-hike-on-landlords-will-push-rents-higher-together/

31/01/2026

Get mortgage-ready this year
Hoping to move or remortgage this year? Here’s how to get mortgage-ready in 2026.

Review your finances

Now that the busy festive period is over, why not take this opportunity to organise your finances. Go through your bank statements and identify where you can reduce your spending – not only will this help you save for a deposit, but it will make your mortgage application stronger in the eyes of a lender.

Set savings goals

There are many hidden costs associated with moving, including conveyancing fees, removal vans, stamp duty and surveys. Considering these additional costs now will help you plan realistically and start saving accordingly.

Check your credit score

Most lenders use one of three main credit reference agencies to check your credit report – TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. You can check your score for free now, giving you time to make any necessary improvements before applying.

Consult a mortgage broker

Seeking professional advice early can make sure you’re well prepared for the mortgage process. It can help you set a realistic budget and gives you an opportunity to strengthen your application.

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.

29/01/2026

2026 property market outlook
The start of a new year often prompts people to review their plans and for many, that might include a resolution to move home. As market conditions continue to evolve, prospective buyers and sellers might be wondering what will happen with property prices in 2026 and beyond.

The latest five-year outlook from Savills provides a useful insight into what’s to come, including some forecasts for house prices between now and 2030. The report predicts that house price growth will be slow in the near future, with projected growth of 2.0% in 2026. This subdued performance is due to ongoing economic uncertainty and weak buyer demand.

Looking further ahead, the landscape becomes more positive. Interest rates and mortgage costs are expected to ease, which should boost activity in the housing market. Savills anticipates annual house price growth of 4% in 2027 and 5% in 2028, before peaking at 5.5% in 2029. Over the five-year period, property values are expected to increase by 22.2%.

Regional outlook

The report indicates that regional differences in house price growth are forecast to persist in the coming years. It is expected that the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber will record the strongest performance between now and 2030, with prices expected to increase by 28.8% in both areas. On the other hand, London (13.6%) and the South East (17.0%) are likely to see much weaker growth as affordability challenges continue to limit house price growth.

Improving conditions for FTBs

Savills noted that, over the last year, first-time buyers (FTBs) have been a driving force in the housing market. In recent years, it has been notoriously difficult to get onto the property ladder, so it is promising to see that FTBs might be growing in confidence. In fact, new homeowners are the only buyer group to record activity above pre-pandemic levels. Interestingly, FTBs are the most active group in the capital, despite it being the most expensive place to buy in the UK.

Challenges for upsizers

Conditions are a little more challenging for ‘second steppers’ looking to move on from their first home. Weak growth in flat values means that this group of sellers is less likely to make a good profit on the sale of their home. To fund the purchase of a bigger property, many second-steppers are therefore relying on their initial deposit as their primary source of equity. As a result, the number of home movers is well below the levels seen in 2017-19. However, activity is expected to pick up as interest rates fall and house price growth strengthens.

Contact us

We can help you navigate the changing property market. With the right advice, you can turn your property dreams into a reality. Get in touch today.

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

Sources:
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-15256621/House-prices-rise-22-2-five-years-adding-80-000-typical-value-says-Savills.html
https://www.savills.co.uk/research_articles/229130/382244-0

28/01/2026

Too many parents overlook protection
New data has found that many parents are overlooking protection when purchasing homes.

Only 19% of parents actively planned for protection cover when buying their home. Despite this, the average parent thought that, if they suddenly lost their income, they would only be able to keep up with mortgage repayments for four and a half months. Also, 43% of those with children said they would like some form of insurance to help them maintain their standard of living if they were unable to work. That’s where protection comes in – the right cover can provide peace of mind that you and your family would be financially supported during difficult times.

As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply.

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

Sources:
https://www.moneymarketing.co.uk/news/vitality-urge-parents-to-think-beyond-mortgage-and-safeguard-stability/
https://www.ftadviser.com/content/8d7135ee-7e94-4c64-97cd-ff78a0be41e7

19/12/2025

Merry Christmas all

24/11/2025

https://www.financialreporter.co.uk/22-of-first-time-buyers-now-aged-over-40.html?SRC=MC&dm_i=7MRH,2CY35,TILGN,4NACG,1

The proportion of first-time buyers aged 25 and under has fallen by 23% since 2024.

24/05/2025

Stamp Duty hike drives up moving costs
The cost of moving home in England has jumped 10.9% over the past year, according to new research from estate agents Yopa.

The average mover now faces a total bill of £51,826, with a 15% mortgage deposit costing £43,585, making up the largest share. However, changes to Stamp Duty relief thresholds have also driven costs higher. One year ago, movers paid an average of £1,433 in Stamp Duty, but this rose to £2,028 before 1 April and now stands at £4,528, a 216% year-on-year increase.

With a steady rise in property values over 30 years, home ownership is likely to be the largest purchase you’ll make, so it pays to get advice from someone you trust.

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

23/05/2025

Great energy in the room this week with 23 members along, 8 referrals shared, and over £21,000 in business passed!

Mathew from Accountancy took us through the pros and cons of being a sole trader vs a limited company. While Ltds still offer legal protection, the tax perks aren’t what they used to be. His takeaway? It’s no longer about tax—think liability when choosing your setup.

19/05/2025

Buying beats renting across Britain
Buying a home is now significantly cheaper than renting across most of Great Britain, according to research from property website Zoopla. The average monthly mortgage payment for first-time buyers (FTBs)stands at £1,038, which is 20% lower than the average monthly rent of £1,248. This analysis assumes buyers have a 20% deposit, which works out as £50,740 based on the typical FTB home priced at £253,700. In London, where affordability is stretched, deposits tend to be higher, averaging 30%.

The regional cost gap
Mortgage payments are 24% lower than rents in the North East, the widest gap in the country. Other areas showing large savings for buyers include Glasgow (46% cheaper to buy), Newcastle (34%), and Cardiff (31%). However, in the East of England, it’s still 9% more expensive to buy than rent. In 10% of postal areas, buying costs more, led by Harrogate, where mortgage payments are 15% higher than rents.

Despite the current advantage for homeowners, affordability remains a major hurdle for many first-time buyers. Raising a deposit is one of the biggest challenges, with average deposits ranging from £27,700 in the North East to £83,400 in London. Nearly two-thirds of FTBs say they’ve needed help from family to cover the upfront costs.

Getting on the ladder remains challenging
Tougher mortgage regulations introduced in 2015 are also making it harder to achieve home ownership. Lenders now expect buyers to prove they can manage repayments even if interest rates rise. Many currently use a ‘stress test’ of 8%, well above current mortgage rates, which can push monthly repayments above rental costs, even in areas where buying is typically cheaper.

Zoopla’s Executive Director, Richard Donnell, said, “Our renting versus buying analysis is welcome news for would-be first-time buyers looking to buy their first home, having faced steep increases in rents over the last three years.” However, he added, “There remain challenges facing first-time buyers, especially those on average incomes or with small deposits… The more first-time buyers priced out of home ownership, the greater the pressure on the private rental market and rental levels.”

Donnell welcomed proposals to review mortgage lending rules, suggesting stress testing rates closer to 6% or 7% would help more people buy without triggering a surge in house prices. “We do not want to return to the loose lending that preceded the global financial crisis,” he said. “But modest changes could ease the way for middle-income renters to become homeowners.”

Looking to buy your first home but not sure where to begin? Get in touch, because we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

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

15/05/2025