Oportfolio

03/06/2026

Thinking about improving your home before selling or remortgaging?

Not every renovation adds real value, but some upgrades can make a significant difference to both your property price and buyer appeal 🚧🛠️

From kitchens and extensions to energy efficiency and kerb appeal, our latest blog explores the improvements most likely to boost the value of your home in today’s market.

Read the full article here: https://oportfolio.co.uk/advice/add-value-to-your-home/

Discover the best ways to add value to your home, including loft conversions, kitchens, garages, solar panels and more. Read more.

02/06/2026

At Oportfolio, we help clients navigate the mortgage market with confidence.

Whether you’re buying your first home, moving house, remortgaging, investing in property, or dealing with more complex income, we provide tailored advice designed around you.

Expert advice. Bespoke solutions. Better outcomes.

Thinking about your next move? Contact Oportfolio today to see how we can help.

02/06/2026

"The increase in approvals in April feels like a mix of improving confidence, more competitive lenders, and buyers realising the market may finally offer a bit of breathing room again. We’re definitely seeing more first-time buyers returning."

Read more of Louis from Oportfolio's thoughts on mortgage approval's increasing in this article 👇

MORTGAGE approvals soared in April showing “first-time buyers are taking advantage of a more negotiable market” – though experts warned that “on the ground today, the mood is far more cautious”. Net mortgage approvals for house purchases increased to 65,900 in April, above an average of ar...

02/06/2026

Think you need a huge deposit to buy a property? You might be surprised.

Some lenders still offer low deposit mortgages, family gifted deposit options, and other high loan-to-value mortgage products 🙌

But deposit size is only part of the picture. Affordability, lender criteria, income, and choosing the right mortgage structure all matter too.

In our latest FAQ guide, we discuss all things 'low deposit!'

https://oportfolio.co.uk/advice/mortgage-with-small-deposit/

Read how to get a mortgage with a small deposit, including family gifted deposits, and low-deposit first-time buyer options.

01/06/2026

Mortgage rates remain volatile. House prices have just recorded their first monthly fall of 2026. And lenders are continuing to adjust affordability and pricing across the market.

If you’re buying, remortgaging, or reviewing your options this year, understanding the market has never been more important.

Read Oportfolio's latest market update here:

https://oportfolio.co.uk/advice/uk-mortgage-market-update-1-june-2026/

Read the latest UK mortgage market update covering mortgage rates, house prices, remortgaging, affordability, and first-time buyer news.

29/05/2026

Getting a mortgage is not always as straightforward as people expect.

Between higher rates, affordability checks, changing lender criteria and rising property prices, many buyers are finding the process more complex than it was a few years ago.

However, there are still plenty of opportunities available, particularly if you understand:

1) How lenders assess income
2) What impacts affordability
3) How to improve your borrowing position
4) Which lenders may suit your circumstances best

We’ve put together an FAQ blog covering how to get a mortgage in the UK, including what buyers should know before applying.

Need a mortgage in the UK? In this blog, we answer all of your questions about how to get a mortgage in the UK. Read on to learn more.

27/05/2026

NEW INTERVIEW | Putney Property & Landlord Insights 🏡

We recently spoke with Aliya Kabani from Glendower Properties Management Ltd about life in Putney, supporting landlords, and what makes South West London such a desirable place to live and invest.

The interview covers:
✔️ Buy-to-let investment
✔️ Property management
✔️ The Putney property market
✔️ Landlord advice
✔️ Why local knowledge matters

A big thank you to Aliya and Aleem for taking the time to collaborate with us on this! 🙌

You can read the full interview here:
https://oportfolio.co.uk/advice/in-conversation-with-aliya-kabani-building-a-boutique-property-management-company-in-south-west-london/

Oportfolio Mortgages speaks with Aliya Kabani from Glendower Properties Management about property management in South West London.

22/05/2026

We recently sat down with Beyant Khosti from TaxAssist Accountants Putney to discuss some of the key financial considerations facing buyers, landlords, and self-employed individuals in today’s property market 🏠

From mortgage preparation and cash flow planning through to landlord taxation and self-employed borrowing, there were some really valuable insights shared throughout the conversation.

One of the biggest takeaways?

Preparing for a mortgage is no longer just about income, lenders are increasingly looking at the bigger financial picture, particularly for self-employed applicants and property investors.

A big thank you to Beyant and the team for collaborating with us on this piece.

You can read the full interview here:

https://oportfolio.co.uk/advice/taxassist-accountants-putney/

We talk to Beyant Khosti from TaxAssist Accountants Putney about self-employed mortgages, landlord taxation and mortgage preparation.

20/05/2026

“We don’t know where to start.” 😩

That’s probably the most common thing we hear from first-time buyers.

The reality is that buying your first home can feel complicated, especially with affordability checks, deposits, mortgage rates and rising living costs all playing a part.

Our latest blog explains the key first-time buyer challenges and how to navigate them with confidence.

If you’re thinking about buying your first property this year, this guide could help.

https://oportfolio.co.uk/advice/how-to-deal-with-the-challenges-of-being-a-first-time-buyer/

Struggling with first time home buyer challenges? Learn how to overcome deposit, affordability, and mortgage issues in the UK.

19/05/2026

Earlier this month we spoke to estate agent Beaufort Green about everything you need to know about buying property and mortgages in South West London. Read the blog here! 👇

Buying a new home involves a lot of decisions, and figuring out what you're going to do about the mortgage can be the one that causes the most anxiety.