Posts by liane

The laptop is packed. The phone is permanently in their hand. But are their belongings actually insured? With A-level results now out and university move-in dates approaching, thousands of families are preparing for one of the biggest changes in their children’s lives. There are bedding sets to buy, kitchen cupboards to fill and probably a…

Summer can be a difficult time to read the property market. Families go away, house hunting competes with holidays and good weather, and some of the most reliable housing statistics arrive several weeks after the activity they measure. But as September approaches, we now have enough evidence to get a clearer picture of what has…

When your mortgage deal comes to an end, it is natural to focus on one question: what will my new monthly payment be? But there is another important question worth asking at exactly the same time. If something happened to you or your income, would your mortgage and household finances still be protected? With 1.8…

Why giving your mortgage a proper review could be one of the most useful financial jobs you do this year Mortgages have a habit of becoming part of the furniture. You arrange the deal, the monthly payment leaves your bank account and, for the next few years, it can be tempting to forget all about…

The Government plans to replace the Lifetime ISA with a new savings account designed solely to help first-time buyers purchase a home. But several important details, including the bonus and property price limit, have yet to be decided1. First-time buyers could eventually be offered a new, more flexible way to save for a deposit under…

A mortgage can run for decades, but a household’s income can change overnight. Illness, a serious diagnosis, redundancy and death create different financial problems, and no single insurance policy necessarily covers them all. Most homeowners understand the need to insure the building they live in. Buildings insurance is commonly required under the terms of a…

More than five million households are expected to face higher mortgage repayments by the end of 2028, according to the Bank of England. For homeowners approaching the end of a fixed deal, starting early could provide more time, more options and greater certainty1. Millions of homeowners may need to prepare for an increase in their…

Britain’s latest heatwave has left many households struggling with sleepless nights, overheated bedrooms and homes that take hours to cool down. As periods of extreme heat become a more important consideration, buyers may need to think differently about what makes a property comfortable, efficient and affordable. For generations, British homes have been designed primarily around…

When the UK experiences a heatwave, most of the attention understandably turns to health, hydration and staying cool. That should always come first. Hot weather can affect everyone, particularly older people, young children, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions1. However, prolonged periods of hot, dry weather can also create risks around the home.…

Buying or selling a home should be one of life’s exciting milestones. Too often, however, it becomes one of the most stressful. A buyer finds a property, agrees a price, starts the mortgage process, pays for legal work and waits for everything to move forward. A seller accepts an offer, begins making plans and may…