Akbani Financial Ltd

Akbani Financial Ltd Akbani Financial is a mortgage consultancy in Manchester catering to homeowners & investors

Akbani Financial Ltd is an appointed representative of Stonebridge Group. who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (454811). Akbani Financial Ltd does not offer investment advice, however, we can introduce you to trusted Independent Financial Advisers if you ask us to. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. As with all insurance p

olicies, conditions and exclusions will apply. The cost of this insurance depends on several factors, such as your age, where you live and your occupation. As a result, the cost you will pay is based on your own circumstances.

Many hopeful homeowners could be closer to getting on the property ladder than they realise, but they are underinformed ...
05/06/2026

Many hopeful homeowners could be closer to getting on the property ladder than they realise, but they are underinformed about their mortgage options.

A survey by the Building Societies Association (BSA) has found that nearly half (47%) of people who want to buy a home have never spoken to a lender or mortgage broker*. This means that many prospective first-time buyers (FTBs) don’t fully understand what’s available, and could be missing out on an opportunity to become a homeowner.

Even those who have sought advice might have outdated information - 46% of those who have previously explored their mortgage options have not done so in the last year. The mortgage market is constantly evolving in response to interest rates, so there may be new products that better suit their circumstances. Without up-to-date information, buyers risk ruling themselves out unnecessarily.

There is a common perception that now is a particularly difficult time to be a first-time buyer. While affordability is a challenge, perhaps some hopeful homeowners are more pessimistic than they need to be. When survey respondents were presented with mortgage options that require little or no deposit, two-thirds (67%) said they could potentially purchase a home sooner than they had thought. This highlights a clear gap between perception and reality, with many prospective FTBs jumping to conclusions without doing the market research.

According to the research, affordability remains the most widely cited obstacle to homeownership, with 64% identifying this as a challenge. Meanwhile, 53% said that saving for a deposit was a key issue, with 59% reporting less than £10,000 in savings. Due to these financial challenges, a third (32%) of respondents believe they will never be able to own a home.

However, your homeownership dreams could be closer than you realise. So, get in touch for advice. We can access products that you wouldn’t necessarily be able to find on your own. We can also advise if you are eligible for any government schemes that will help you get on the property ladder.

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

*MoneyAge

When you are buying a property as an investment, with the intention to rent it out, you can raise finance by taking out ...
03/06/2026

When you are buying a property as an investment, with the intention to rent it out, you can raise finance by taking out a loan to fund the purchase. This is done using the property as security for the loan. In securing a loan against your property, the lender has a legal charge* registered. This type of loan, secured on an investment property with a legal charge, is called a Buy to Let mortgage.

By having a legal charge on the property, should you fail to maintain the monthly repayments or repay the loan at the end of the term, the lender has rights to remove the occupants and sell the house to pay off the debt owed to them. This is done by the lender repossessing the property.

With the lender securing the loan, it means that these mortgages are different from other types of borrowing. For example, personal loans, credit cards, and overdrafts are all called unsecured loans. Whereas this, as a secured loan, offers less risk to the lender, which is why the interest rates are usually lower than other ways of borrowing money.

So, with a buy to let mortgage, you can borrow more, with lower interest rates. But there are risks to you if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other loan secured against the property. You could lose the property, which would significantly impact your financial profile. Therefore, arranging a buy to let mortgage should be carefully considered.

Being able to afford the loan in the short term and into the future, taking account of the possibility of interest rate increases or loss of income, are important considerations. It is important that you carefully consider the amount you can reasonably charge as rent compared to the current and future mortgage payments, as well as the ongoing maintenance costs to the property, taxation, rental voids, and agent fees.

As you are an investor, your mortgage adviser also expects that you have at least a good level of understanding of the risks involved. You should carefully consider possible changes to your circumstances, as well as having a clear strategy for the property.

*In Scotland, the legal charge is known by the term ‘standard security’.

Underinsurance is becoming an increasingly common problem for homeowners, making it more important than ever to check th...
01/06/2026

Underinsurance is becoming an increasingly common problem for homeowners, making it more important than ever to check that your property is properly protected*.

Recent data shows that in 2025, 70% of UK properties were insured for less than their true rebuild cost**. In fact, the average home is only covered for 66% of the amount required to completely rebuild it.

This means that, in the event of a major claim, many policyholders could face reduced payouts, leaving them to cover a significant shortfall themselves. While this marks a slight improvement compared with 2020-2022 (when underinsurance affected as many as 80% of UK properties), underinsurance is still a prevalent issue.

A rise in extreme weather has highlighted the risks of leaving your property underinsured. Homeowners have made claims for fires, flooding, and escape of water, only to discover that their cover was insufficient.

In these circumstances, an insurer can apply the ‘average clause’ - this reduces the claim settlement in proportion to the level of the policyholder’s underinsurance. For example, if a property is covered for 66% of its true rebuild cost, the insurer might only cover 66% of the claim.

One of the main causes of underinsurance is a lack of understanding about how to calculate rebuild costs. According to the research, many policyholders mistakenly insure their homes based on the property’s market value, which reflects what their home would sell for.

However, the rebuild cost is the price of reconstructing the whole property from scratch. Therefore, the amount could be significantly more as it must include materials, labour, debris removal, and more.

Outdated valuations are another key driver of underinsurance. Building and labour costs have risen in recent years, so rebuild costs are estimated to be 35% to 40% higher than in 2020. If your policy has not been reviewed recently, your cover might not reflect the true cost of reconstructing your home today.

Reviewing your home insurance doesn’t have to be complicated. Check your rebuild cost and ensure your policy reflects any home improvements to help ensure you have the right level of cover.

If you’re unsure whether your insurance is still adequate, now is the time to seek professional advice. Get in touch to make sure you’re fully protected and avoid an unwelcome surprise if you ever need to make a claim.

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

*COVER Magazine
**Insurance Business

Do you know the difference between life insurance and income protection? - Life Insurance:Life insurance pays out a lump...
31/05/2026

Do you know the difference between life insurance and income protection?

- Life Insurance:
Life insurance pays out a lump sum to your loved ones if you die during the policy term. You could either be covered for a fixed length of time (such as 10 or 25 years) or for the whole of your life. It’s sensible to get cover if you have any dependents because life insurance could help them continue living in your home if you pass away.

- Income Protection:
Income protection provides a portion of your income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. The insurer will make monthly payments to you until either the term ends, you die, or you return to work. There will usually be a waiting period before you can start receiving payments.

Income protection is recommended if you would struggle to cover essential living expenses if you were unable to work. For example, if you are self-employed, have limited savings, or are the sole earner in your household.

However, income protection provides you with support during your lifetime, while life insurance safeguards your family in the event of your death. Both policies can offer peace of mind that you and your loved ones will be protected in times of need.

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

*Legal & General

End of year statistics for 2025 offer some reasons to be optimistic about the housing market.According to Zoopla*, house...
29/05/2026

End of year statistics for 2025 offer some reasons to be optimistic about the housing market.

According to Zoopla*, house sales for 2025 hit 1.2 million, the highest level for three years. First-time buyers showed growing confidence as they accounted for 39% of transactions last year.

Meanwhile, house prices lagged last year, with the average house valued at £270,300 at the end of 2025. This is up 1.1% on the previous year but is lower than the 10-year average of 3.8% growth.

Zoopla expects prices to rise by 1.5% in 2026, while Rightmove’s outlook is more positive, at 2%.

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

*Mortgage Strategy

Eid-ul-Adha Mubarak to Muslims all over the world!
27/05/2026

Eid-ul-Adha Mubarak to Muslims all over the world!

Hajj Mubarak to Muslims all over the world!
26/05/2026

Hajj Mubarak to Muslims all over the world!

There are many benefits to being your own boss. However, it does come with some financial risks. Have you considered wha...
25/05/2026

There are many benefits to being your own boss. However, it does come with some financial risks. Have you considered what would happen if you were unable to work unexpectedly?

If you’re self-employed, appropriate protection should be top of your list because, without the safety net of statutory sick pay, you could find yourself in a vulnerable financial position. You might lose your income but still have business costs to pay for, such as rent and equipment.

It’s therefore essential to safeguard yourself and your business by getting the right cover. We can advise on the most suitable policies for you, which may include critical illness cover, income protection, and other insurance.

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

Happy Shavuot to those celebrating it!
21/05/2026

Happy Shavuot to those celebrating it!

Data from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) indicates that more borrowers are opting for ultra-long mortgages in an ...
19/05/2026

Data from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) indicates that more borrowers are opting for ultra-long mortgages in an effort to manage rising housing costs.

According to the analysis, in 2024, there were 116,276 mortgages taken out with repayment periods of 35 years or more. This is over three times the number sold in 2020, highlighting how borrowing conditions have changed significantly in recent years.

As affordability challenges persist for buyers, longer mortgage terms help to reduce the cost of monthly repayments. While this can make finances easier to manage in the short term, it is more expensive in the long run.

The longer a mortgage, the more interest is accrued, meaning borrowers could end up paying substantially more for their home over time. Plus, the average age of first-time buyers has risen to 34, so many people could have mortgages that extend into retirement, which can create challenges for long-term financial planning.

Calculations by Compare the Market highlight the cost of ultra-long mortgages. Using the average UK house price of £293,000 and a 10% deposit, the figures show how interest costs can quickly add up over time.

Based on a 36-year mortgage, the difference between a two-year fixed rate of 4.32% and a slightly lower rate of 4.03% equates to a difference of £20,197 in additional interest repayments. This shows that even small differences in interest rates, when combined with very long mortgage terms, can significantly increase the total cost of borrowing.

For borrowers considering an ultra-long mortgage, it’s therefore important to weigh the short-term benefit of lower monthly payments against the long-term cost. Make sure to review options regularly as circumstances and interest rates change.

Furthermore, data for the first nine months of 2025 shows that London was the most popular area to take out ultra-long mortgages. During this period, 12,554 mortgages were taken out with terms over 35 years. This is slightly lower than the 14,455 recorded over the same period in 2024, but is higher than the 10,676 seen in 2023.

After London, the South West saw the most ultra-long mortgages (12,457), followed by the East of England (11,181) and the South East (10,373). These are the regions where houses are most expensive, underlining the link between higher property prices and the growing use of extended mortgage terms.

If you’re hoping to make your property dreams come true this year, get in touch. We can talk through your mortgage options and help find a suitable option that will work for you, both now and in the future.

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

*Mortgage Strategy

Address

16, Methuen Street
Manchester
M125TF

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+447838338579

Website

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