Your Mortgage Connection

07/06/2026

Panorama
Undercover Estate Agent

"I’ve had quite a few people reach out about this Panorama episode—and I’m glad to see the BBC shining a light on questionable estate agent practices once again.

For years, I’ve been warning my clients about the tactics used by certain companies mentioned in the programme. While there are many ethical and professional estate agents out there, the actions of a few can unfortunately damage trust across the industry.

This is exactly why it’s so important to work with someone truly independent, properly regulated, and working solely in your best interest.

That’s one of the key advantages of using a whole-of-market mortgage broker like us—we’re here to give you honest, unbiased advice tailored to you."

Reporter Lucy Vallance goes undercover at one of the UK’s biggest estate agencies to investigate claims it’s not acting in the best interests of customers.

05/06/2026

The UK’s fastest-rising house prices
Research from Rightmove has identified the UK towns that recorded the strongest house price growth last year.

The list was largely dominated by towns in Scotland and the north of England. Hawick in the Scottish Borders saw the biggest annual rise, with prices increasing by 18% in 2025. Durham followed with a 15% increase, while Stannington in Sheffield saw prices grow by 12%.

Across the 50 locations with the fastest-growing house prices, the average property value was £270,711, 26% lower than the national average of £368,031. In fact, 43 of the 50 fastest-growing towns had prices below the national average. This emphasises the growing trend that more affordable areas are experiencing the strongest price growth.

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

Sources:
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-15501709/Rightmove-names-25-towns-saw-biggest-house-price-rises-2025.html

26/05/2026

Make protection a priority
A survey has revealed that homeowners are more likely to plan a new kitchen than seek out protection.

Research found that respondents were more likely to spend money on new furniture (36%), redecorating (26%) or installing a new bathroom or kitchen (25%) than on taking out protection insurance, with only 15% saying it was a priority. However, many mortgage holders expressed concern about their financial security, with 62% saying they are worried they could lose their home if they became too ill to work. More than half (56%) admitted they would struggle to keep up with mortgage repayments after six months without an income.

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.covermagazine.co.uk/news/4524648/protection-ranks-lowest-importance-homebuyers

25/05/2026

19/05/2026

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

Concerning statistics highlight the underinsurance problem
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.

The ‘average clause’ explained
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.

Misinformation causes underinsurance
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.

Review regularly
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.

Take action now
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.

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

Sources:
https://www.covermagazine.co.uk/news/4524648/protection-ranks-lowest-importance-homebuyers
https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/property-insurance/report-majority-of-uk-properties-were-underinsured-in-2025-560941.aspx

13/05/2026

Insurance tips for movers and renovators
Moving home or renovating in 2026? Make sure you’re adequately covered.

Before you move, it’s important to check the details of your home contents policy, as exclusions may apply to the removals process. For example, some insurers only cover belongings packed and moved by professionals. Additionally, your home insurance won’t automatically be applicable at your new address, so you will likely need to transfer the policy over (if allowed).

Similarly, if you’re renovating your current home, it’s important to review your existing policies. If your project involves structural changes or new fixtures, you will likely need an extra layer of cover to ensure you’re sufficiently protected if something goes wrong.

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

Sources:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/home-insurance/moving-to-new-home/ #:~:text=You'll%20need%20to%20have,for%20longer%20than%2030%20days
https://www.renovationplan.co.uk/news-and-insight/why-you-need-renovation-insurance-cover-in-2026/

07/05/2026

Avoid these home insurance mistakes
Don’t accidentally invalidate your home insurance - here are the biggest mistakes that homeowners make and how to avoid them…

Outdated valuations
When taking out buildings insurance, you will need to calculate how much it would cost to rebuild your home if something happened. If you’ve recently undergone renovations, building work or other alterations, the rebuild cost may have changed. If you haven’t notified your insurer about this, you risk leaving your home underinsured.

Missed disclosures
When applying for home insurance, you will need to declare any previous claims so the insurer can ascertain any risks. It’s easy to forget about a claim you made four years ago, but any missed disclosures could invalidate your policy. It’s therefore essential that you go back through your records to ensure you have disclosed all the necessary information.

Auto-renew traps
It might be convenient to let your policy auto-renew, but this can mean that you don’t review your policy. If your circumstances have changed, you might need a different level of cover. For example, if you have a new pet or have bought an expensive gadget, you will need to update your policy accordingly.

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

Sources:
https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/property-insurance/report-majority-of-uk-properties-were-underinsured-in-2025-560941.aspx
https://www.aviva.com/newsroom/news-releases/2024/05/10-ways-people-could-accidentally-invalidate-home cover/ #:~:text=Not%20declaring%20building%20work%2C%20alterations,renovate%20or%20alter%20a%20property

06/05/2026

The rise of ultra-long mortgages
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.

The cost of longer mortgages
Calculations by Compare the Market highlights 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.

What we know about 2025
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.

Talk to us
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.

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

Sources:
https://www.mortgagestrategy.co.uk/news/borrowers-taking-out-ultra-long-mortgages-more-than-triples-since-2020-compare-the-market/

30/04/2026

Self-employed? Make sure you’re covered
If you’re self-employed, appropriate protection should be top of your list.

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

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

27/04/2026

Putting life insurance in trust
Recent tax changes have prompted some to reevaluate their reliance on pensions for wealth planning. Amidst this uncertainty, life insurance could provide some peace of mind for those looking to protect their family’s future.

Salary sacrifice changes
In the Autumn Budget 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced changes to salary sacrifice for pensions from April 2029. Currently, an employee can agree with their employer to give up part of their salary and, in return, their employer will pay the same amount into their pension. At the moment, this employer pension contribution is exempt from National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for both the employer and the employee. Salary sacrifice has therefore often been seen as a reliable way to reduce tax liabilities while boosting retirement savings. However, from 6 April 2029, NICs will apply on contributions above £2,000 per year.

Unused pension funds
As part of the Autumn Budget 2024, it was announced that most unused pension funds will fall within the value of a person’s estate for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes. This measure was introduced because the government identified that many savers were using their pension pot to transfer wealth instead of funding their retirement. The changes will come into effect on 6 April 2027, so those who had incorporated their unused pension funds into their tax planning are likely to be reconsidering their options.

Benefits of life insurance
The above tax measures have highlighted the precarity of using pensions for intergenerational planning. Some families may therefore be turning to life insurance to offer some certainty.
Life insurance provides financial support to your loved ones when you die. You can choose the level of cover you need based on a range of factors including your dependents, salary, mortgage and other bills.

Writing your life insurance policy in trust ensures that the payout is not considered as part of your estate, so it is not subject to IHT. Claims can be paid before probate is granted, enabling your beneficiaries to access the money swiftly. It is therefore a crucial way of safeguarding your family’s future.

Time to revisit your protection requirements?
We can help you source a life insurance policy that is tailored to your specific needs and family circumstances. There are a range of trusts to choose from, and we can advise on the most appropriate option, ensuring your cover remains effective, tax-efficient and aligned with your wider financial plan.

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.ftadviser.com/content/a724d36a-6636-4b53-bcd2-5d354ef62fac