TouchPoint Mortgages

09/10/2026

🏡 APPLYING FOR A MORTGAGE? MAKE SURE YOU KNOW THE DO’S & DON’TS!

Getting a mortgage is a big financial commitment, and the things you do in the run-up to your application can make a difference.

From your spending and credit commitments to your bank statements and paperwork, there are plenty of things worth considering before you apply.

That’s why we’ve put together our latest post covering the key mortgage do’s and don’ts. 👀

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, moving home or remortgaging, it’s worth having a read before you start the application process.

📲 Check out our latest post for the full list!

And if you’re thinking about applying for a mortgage soon, speak to a mortgage adviser before making any big financial changes.

07/10/2026

🏡 THE CHEAPEST MORTGAGE RATE ISN’T ALWAYS THE CHEAPEST MORTGAGE…

When you’re looking for a mortgage, it’s very easy to see the lowest rate on the market and think:

“That must be the cheapest deal.”

But it’s not always that simple.

A lower interest rate can come with a higher product fee — sometimes £999, £1,999 or more — and depending on the amount you’re borrowing and the length of your deal, that fee could mean the supposedly “cheapest” rate actually costs you more overall. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="0"}

For example:

🔹 Deal A: 3.99% + £1,999 fee
🔹 Deal B: 4.19% + £0 fee

Deal A has the lower headline rate, but Deal B could still be cheaper over the initial fixed period.

And the opposite can also be true — sometimes paying a higher fee for a lower rate genuinely does save you money.

That’s why we never simply look for the lowest rate.

We look at the whole picture:

✅ Interest rate
✅ Product fees
✅ Incentives and cashback
✅ Loan amount
✅ Length of the deal
✅ Overall cost during the initial period
✅ Your individual circumstances

Our recommendation is always based on the option that represents the best value for the individual client — not simply whichever mortgage appears at the top of a “best rates” table.

So don’t be bamboozled by the headline rate. 👀

The lowest rate doesn’t automatically mean the lowest cost.

Always look at the bigger picture. 🏡💷

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

05/10/2026

🏡 FIRST-TIME BUYERS — THIS COULD BE A BIG ONE…

The Government has announced plans for a new “Your First Home” scheme aimed at helping first-time buyers get onto the property ladder.

The proposal could allow eligible first-time buyers in England to purchase a new-build home with:

🏠 Just a 2.5% deposit
🏛️ A government equity loan of up to 20%
💷 An initial interest-free period on the equity loan
🏗️ Available on eligible new-build properties

For example, on a £250,000 new-build:

💰 £6,250 deposit
🏛️ £50,000 government equity loan
🏦 £193,750 mortgage

However, there are still some important details to be confirmed, including income limits, property price caps and exactly how the equity loan will work in the longer term. The full details are expected to be announced at the Budget on 28 October 2026. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="0"}

So, if you're a first-time buyer who has a regular income but is struggling to build a larger deposit, this is definitely something to keep an eye on. 👀

And remember — you don't necessarily need to wait for the scheme to be confirmed before speaking to a mortgage adviser.

Understanding what you could potentially borrow, what your monthly payments might look like and what deposit you would need now can put you in a much stronger position when the details are released.

📩 Thinking about buying your first home? Get in touch and let's look at your options.

*The scheme has been announced but full eligibility criteria and implementation details are yet to be confirmed.*

02/10/2026

🏡 TODAY’S MORTGAGE RATE COULD BE GONE TOMORROW…

Mortgage rates are changing regularly at the moment, with lenders repricing and withdrawing deals with very little notice.

That’s why we keep stressing one thing to our clients:

If your current mortgage deal ends within the next 6 months, start looking at your options NOW. ⏰

Don’t wait until the last minute hoping rates will improve.

Nobody knows exactly what will happen next. Rates could start falling again, but at the moment we are seeing upward movement in mortgage rates. Waiting could mean the deal available to you today is no longer available when you eventually come to secure your next mortgage.

The good news? Depending on your lender and circumstances, you may be able to secure a new rate in advance.

Then, if rates improve before your new deal starts, your options can be reviewed again.

✅ Secure what’s available today
✅ Keep an eye on the market
✅ Review again if rates improve
✅ Avoid leaving everything until the last minute

Mortgage ending within the next 6 months?

Get in touch with your mortgage broker now and let’s get ahead of it. 📲🏡

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

30/09/2026

😂 THINKING ABOUT USING A MORTGAGE ADVISER?

DON’T DO IT…

We’ve put together our latest post with 4 VERY good reasons why you definitely shouldn’t use a mortgage adviser. 👀

And no… we’re not joking.

Well… maybe a little. 😂

👉 Swipe through the post and see if you agree.

You might even learn something along the way…

Or you might just realise that using a mortgage adviser is actually a pretty good idea. 😉

🏡 Thinking about moving, remortgaging or buying your first home?

Give us a shout. We promise not to make it too painful. 😂

25/09/2026

💳 THINKING ABOUT APPLYING FOR A MORTGAGE? MAYBE HOLD OFF ON THE KLARNA…

Klarna and other Buy Now, Pay Later services can be really convenient — but if you’re planning to apply for a mortgage, it’s worth thinking twice before using them.

Why?

🏠 When you apply for a mortgage, lenders look at your overall financial circumstances, including your income, regular commitments and how you manage your money.

Using Buy Now, Pay Later can create additional monthly commitments, which could affect how much a lender is prepared to offer you.

📉 It can also appear on your credit file, depending on the provider and the type of agreement, and lenders may take this into account when assessing your application.

And even if you’re making every payment on time, having multiple finance commitments can potentially reduce your borrowing capacity.

For example, you might think:

“It's only £50 a month.”

But when a lender is working out how much you can comfortably afford to borrow, those monthly commitments can make a difference.

🔑 Our advice?

If you’re thinking about buying a home in the near future, try to keep your finances as simple as possible.

Avoid taking out unnecessary credit, keep up with existing payments and speak to a mortgage adviser before making any big financial decisions.

It could make a difference to how much you can borrow — and ultimately, the house you can afford.

Thinking about getting a mortgage? 🏡

Get in touch before you start spending… especially if Klarna is involved! 😂

23/09/2026

🏠 CONFUSED ABOUT FIXED-RATE MORTGAGES?

You’re not alone!

With so many different mortgage rates, terms and options available, it can be difficult to know what you’re actually choosing.

So, what is a fixed-rate mortgage?

A fixed-rate mortgage means your mortgage interest rate is fixed for an agreed period of time.

For example, you might choose a:

🔹 2-year fixed rate
🔹 3-year fixed rate
🔹 5-year fixed rate
🔹 10-year fixed rate

During that fixed period, your mortgage interest rate won’t change because of movements in the Bank of England base rate.

This gives you certainty over your mortgage payments for the fixed period, making it easier to budget each month.

But there are things to consider too…

📉 If mortgage rates fall, you generally won’t benefit from those lower rates until your fixed period ends.

💷 There may also be Early Repayment Charges if you want to leave your mortgage before the fixed period finishes.

So, should you fix for 2 years, 5 years or even longer?

There isn’t one answer that’s right for everyone.

The best option will depend on your circumstances, your plans, your attitude towards future rates and what you’re comfortable paying each month.

If you’re confused about fixed rates or simply don’t know which option could be right for you, that’s exactly what we’re here to help with.

21/09/2026

🏡 THINKING ABOUT MOVING HOUSE?

Maybe your family has outgrown your current home.

Maybe you need an extra bedroom, a bigger garden or a home office.

Or perhaps you’ve simply spotted a property that you love and are wondering, “Could we actually afford it?”

Before you start booking viewings and getting carried away with Rightmove, it’s worth understanding what your finances look like.

💷 How much could you borrow?

🏠 How much equity do you have in your current property?

💰 What would your deposit look like?

📈 What would your monthly mortgage payments be?

🧾 What other costs would you need to budget for, such as Stamp Duty, legal fees and moving costs?

And importantly…

👉 What would your new mortgage look like alongside your existing household commitments?

Getting these answers early can give you a much clearer idea of what price range you should actually be looking at.

It can also save you falling in love with a house that doesn't quite fit your budget!

If moving house is on your mind, even if you're only at the “just thinking about it” stage, get in touch.

A quick conversation now could give you the confidence and clarity you need to take the next step. 🏡🔑

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

18/09/2026

🏠 STAMP DUTY EXPLAINED — WHAT IS IT AND WHY DO WE PAY IT?

If you’re buying a property in England or Northern Ireland, you may have heard the term Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).

But what actually is it?

💷 What is Stamp Duty?

Stamp Duty Land Tax is a tax charged by the government when you buy a property or piece of land above certain thresholds.

In simple terms, it’s an additional cost you may need to budget for when buying your home.

👤 Who pays it?

Generally, the person buying the property pays the Stamp Duty.

How much you pay depends on a number of factors, including:

🏡 The purchase price of the property
👤 Whether you’re a first-time buyer
🏠 Whether you already own another property
💷 Whether you’re buying an additional property
📍 Where in the UK you’re buying

But why do we pay it?

Stamp Duty is simply a form of tax on property and land transactions, with the money going to the government.

It can be a significant cost, so it’s important to understand whether you’re likely to have a Stamp Duty bill before you start looking at properties.

For example, two buyers purchasing the same property could potentially have very different Stamp Duty bills depending on their circumstances.

🔑 Our advice: Don’t just budget for the deposit and mortgage payment. Make sure you understand the other costs involved in buying a home too — including Stamp Duty, legal fees, surveys and potentially mortgage fees.

If you’re thinking about buying a property and want to understand the costs involved, get in touch.

We’re happy to talk you through the numbers before you start your search. 🏡

*Stamp Duty rules and thresholds can change, and the amount payable depends on your individual circumstances.*

17/09/2026

🚨 BANK OF ENGLAND HOLDS RATES AT 3.75%

The Bank of England has today held the Bank Rate at 3.75%.

That might sound like good news — but there was an important warning from Governor Andrew Bailey.

He said that higher global energy costs have so far had a limited effect on UK prices and wages, but the longer the volatility continues, the greater the potential impact on inflation.

And importantly, he added that if inflationary pressures persist, the Bank may need to raise Bank Rate to make sure inflation returns to its 2% target.

💷 So what does this mean for your mortgage?

If your current mortgage deal is coming to an end between now and March/April 2027, you may already be able to secure your next rate. Given the comments from the Bank of England - we highly recommend securing a rate as soon as you are able.

With rates potentially moving in either direction, waiting until the last minute could leave you exposed to changes in the mortgage market.

📩 Don't wait until your mortgage expires — let's see what options are available to you now.

Send a message to learn more