Last November, home sellers were accepting offers that were an average of 5.5% less than the initial asking price¹ – the highest discount in five years.   Property portal Zoopla attributed these price cuts to higher mortgage rates which were deterring potential...

In a survey of UK workers, 37% of respondents thought life insurance and income protection cost more than they actually do¹.   This is a significant oversight considering that 40% stated that affordability was key when deciding on a policy. Those surveyed estimated...

First time buyers (FTBs) seem to be struggling to get onto the property ladder independently, as 12% relied on financial support from family members to purchase a home in November 2023¹.   Despite the government’s efforts to help FTBs with initiatives such as the...

Death rates are still higher than pre-pandemic¹ levels, yet 48% of adults aged 18-40 do not have life insurance. This puts many in a precarious position, as the unfortunate reality is that the cost of dying is high.   Research has found that, in Great Britain, a...

Some leading experts have suggested that the Bank of England (BoE) could be forced to bring forward its first planned interest rate cut sooner rather than later in 2024 if inflation drops to 2% by April. Chief economist at Oxford Economics, Andrew Goodwin has...

After prospective and existing mortgage borrowers had a tough year in 2023, there looks to be good news on the horizon. In 2023, the cost-of-living crisis squeezed household budgets. Higher interest rates put pressure on those looking to take on mortgages for the...

Have you managed to stick to your new year resolutions? Undertaking a protection and mortgage review should be top of a financial to-do list for the coming year. But don’t worry if you haven’t tackled this task yet, just try to make it a priority in the coming months....

Considering extra mortgage payments? Given the current landscape, the question is – is it more prudent to overpay your mortgage or bolster your savings?   The crux of the decision hinges on your existing mortgage rate. If your mortgage rate is comparable to or...

We understand that life insurance may not even cross the minds of many people under 30. However, ‘age is just a number’ as the saying goes, and there could be other factors of a young person’s life that make taking our life insurance a wise idea. It is advisable to...

In 2022, people in the UK unknowingly spent half a billion pounds¹ on subscriptions that automatically renew. It can be easy to get caught out if companies make it difficult to cancel or fail to remind you that their service is due for renewal. Insurance could be one...

  As research1 reveals that 45% of UK adults are losing sleep over money, we’re here to remind you of the value of professional advice. Counting cost-of-living sheep The squeeze on people’s finances caused by the cost-of-living crisis is understandably a key...

  As 2024 begins in earnest, what can homeowners, sellers and prospective buyers expect in the new year? Falling house prices and uncertainty around mortgage rates made for a turbulent 2023. Will a new normal take shape in 2024? Or will changeability remain the...

Accidental damage and escape of water are the most common home insurance claims1.   While we often think of threats like theft or fire, this research reveals that more home insurance claims result from clumsiness than malice. Of 76,518 claims made last year,...

Research1 has shown that online searches for the phrase ‘when will mortgage rates drop?’ surged from practically zero a year ago, to almost 7,000 during June and July this year, as worry clearly dominates for UK mortgage holders. Hopes that rates have peaked...

One of the financial responsibilities of homeownership is to protect yourself and your family. Life insurance and your mortgage are inseparable companions.   Life insurance provides a safety net. A payout can pay off the remaining mortgage balance, ensuring that...