#276 This is the first of our monthly update on all things lending and finance. This episode discusses: Bank of England Base Rate and Mortgage Rates:The Return of 90% Mortgages:Cut in Specialist Bridging Loan Rates:Our WhatsApp group Property Engine discounts (Code: EXPAT) Starter: 30 day trial Pro: 30 day trial/3 mths 1/2 price, Ultimate: 1/2 price 3 months Goalsetting Leave a review 37 Question Due Diligence Checklist / Auction Guide Our Sponsors: Finnigan McNeill Property Group This Month’s Lending Headlines: Bank of England Holds at 3.75% The base rate is unchanged, but that doesn’t mean we’re in the clear. The Monetary Policy Committee is “watching and waiting”—with inflation and global events keeping everyone on their toes.Looking Back: How Did We Get Here? We dive into why rates plummeted during the COVID lockdowns, how they climbed back up in response to inflation (thanks in part to the energy crunch and events like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine), and why today’s global tensions are still influencing what you pay on your mortgage.Fixed-Rate Mortgages: Up, Up, and Away If you’re on a fixed deal, you probably appreciate the security more than ever, as typical 5-year fixed rates have jumped from 4.95% to 5.32% in just three weeks. That’s an extra £651 per year on a £250,000 loan—ouch!90% Mortgages Make a Comeback If you have a smaller deposit, there’s good news: 90% mortgages are back, at levels not seen since 2008. But be careful—higher loan-to-value mortgages often mean higher rates, stricter checks, and the risk of negative equity if prices fall.Specialist Finance: Bridging Loans in the Spotlight Bridge finance lender SDK has cut its Bridge 75 product to 0.95% for loans over £250k, catering to investors after mixed-use and semi-commercial opportunities. If “shop with flats above” is on your wishlist, now might be the time.Keywords UK property podcast, Expat property podcast, UK mortgage update podcast, UK property finance podcast, Mortgage Monday podcast, UK base rate 2025 update, Bank of England interest rates, UK mortgage rates 2025, First-time buyer mortgages UK, High loan-to-value mortgages UK, UK property market news podcast, UK bridging loans explained, Semi-commercial bridging loans UK, UK buy-to-let updates, Monthly UK property market update, Expat property investing UK, Homebuyer tips UK podcast, UK inflation and property market, UK property auction insights, Refurbishment finance UK, Bank of England base rate changes, Five-year fixed rate mortgages UK, 90% mortgage deals UK, Negative equity risks UK, Specialist bridge finance UK, Property Reporter news, Lender rate changes UK, Mixed-use property investment UK
