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The war in the Middle East is starting to hit the money markets, and mortgage lenders are increasing the cost of their fixed rates.

As we have seen many times over the last few years, mortgage rates can change quickly, which is why many buyers and homeowners want to secure a mortgage rate early. 

If you are purchasing a property, you may want to consider securing a rate with Nationwide Building Society, as its Decision in Principle (DIPs) last around 90 days. Once your mortgage is fully approved, the mortgage offer is typically valid for around 180 days (six months). During this time, your agreed mortgage interest rate is protected, even if market rates increase.

This is particularly useful when buying a property, as it gives you several months to complete the legal process without worrying about rate rises.

Securing a remortgage rate early

You can also secure a remortgage rate months in advance. Many lenders allow homeowners to apply for a new mortgage up to six months before their current deal ends.

This means you can lock in today’s rate while your existing fixed rate continues. If mortgage rates rise before your current deal expires, your new rate is already secured.

If rates fall after you’ve applied, some lenders may allow you to switch to a cheaper product before completion.

Aaron Strutt, product director at Trinity Financial, says: "Whether you’re buying a home or remortgaging, applying early can help you lock in a mortgage rate for up to six months, providing protection against potential interest rate increases.

"The cost of funding fixed-rate mortgages has jumped again, and it seems we are set to have a wave of rate increases this week. Even some of the lenders are warning that the changes are likely to be painful for borrowers, at least in the short term, which is quite unusual. It really seems like a good idea to secure a mortgage rate if you can, especially if you are buying somewhere soon or your remortgage is due over the next five or so months. The lenders tend to give very little notice when they make rate changes, so rates available today can disappear overnight."

Lending solutions with Trinity Financial

Are you looking to buy a property and require expert advice? We’re here to help you find a solution – no matter how complex your circumstances. Our expert brokers have extensive experience providing creative solutions to secure mortgages for our clients.

Call Trinity Financial on 0808 1642174 to secure a more generous mortgage, book a consultation or use our appointment calendar

The information contained within was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change.

Your mortgage is secured on your property. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

Mortgage lenders across the UK are increasing their rates and more rate rises are expected this week as global events push up borrowing costs.

Several major lenders, including HSBC, Halifax, TSB, Nationwide Building Society and Coventry Building Society, have already raised fixed mortgage rates. The increases follow rising swap rates, which lenders use to price fixed-rate mortgages.

Santander has also just emailed Trinity Financial's brokers to say all of its fixed rates are increasing by up to 0.24%. It's My First Mortgage: 10k deposit, fixed rate, was lowered a few days ago to just below 5%, but it is now increasing by 0.21%. 

Aaron Strutt, product director at Trinity Financial, said: “It seems almost certain we are going to see a lot more rate changes over the coming days, so if you are on the hunt for a mortgage, it is worth locking into a new deal now.”

Rising oil prices and inflation concerns linked to the Middle East conflict have added uncertainty to financial markets, which is feeding into higher mortgage rates.

For borrowers looking to buy a home or remortgage, acting early could help secure a more competitive rate. Many lenders allow homeowners to lock in a remortgage rate up to four months before their current fixed deal ends, which can protect them from further increases.

While the Bank of England may still reduce the base rate later this year, in the short term, mortgage lenders are responding to higher funding costs, meaning borrowers could see more mortgage rate rises in the days ahead. One bank said these price hikes will be "painful" for many homeowners. 

Speak to a Trinity Financial adviser today

The mortgage market moves fast — and the right advice can make a significant difference to the rate and deal you secure. Get in touch with our team to discuss your options.

Call Trinity Financial on 0808 1642174 to secure a fixed or tracker rate mortgage, book a consultation, or use our appointment calendar

The information contained within was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change.

Your mortgage is secured on your property. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

Nationwide, Coventry Building Society, Virgin Money, NatWest and HSBC are the first major lenders to announce rate increases. 

HSBC and Coventry are the first major lenders to announce rate hikes due to increases in funding costs stemming from the chaos in the Middle East. It seems almost certain we are going to see a lot more rate changes over the coming days, so if you are on the hunt for a mortgage, it is worth locking into a new deal now. 

There is a huge number of remortgages due this year, and most borrowers can switch rates up to four months before their fixed rates expire. Delaying a decision to select a new deal could be costly, especially if you have a larger mortgage loan.

NatWest has increased many of its two-year rates by 0.10% and its five-year fixes by 0.05%. Virgin Money has announced it is putting many of its rates up, and its two-year fixes will be increased by up to 0.25%, so they now start from 3.92%. Skipton is increasing its rates by up to 0.16% across its 2-year fixed-rate mortgage ranges for new business and existing customers. Barclays has also raised rates by 0.10%. 

How much are mortgage rates now?

The very cheapest two-year fixes start from just below 3.75%, while five-year fixes are available from 3.85%. However, they may be withdrawn at short notice. 

These are typically offered through larger lenders like Barclays, Halifax, NatWest, and HSBC for Intermediaries.

Barclays and Santander offer a selection of the most competitively priced two-, three-, and five-year fixes. Nationwide offers lower rates to homebuyers taking out a mortgage of over £300,000. The building society is also taking an average of seven days to produce mortgage offers.

Should borrowers be thinking about fixing their mortgage more urgently right now?

Aaron Strutt, product director at Trinity Financial, says: "Yes. There are a large number of remortgages this year, and most borrowers can switch rates up to four months before their fixed rates expire. Rates are being pulled without much notice, which means even if you put off sorting your mortgage out for a few hours, you could end up paying more for years. This is no exaggeration."

Speak to a Trinity Financial adviser today

The mortgage market moves fast — and the right advice can make a significant difference to the rate and deal you secure. Get in touch with our team to discuss your options.

Call Trinity Financial on 0808 1642174 to secure a fixed or tracker rate mortgage, book a consultation, or use our appointment calendar

The information contained within was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change.

Your mortgage is secured on your property. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

Rightmove data reveals Britain’s most expensive streets 

The latest house price data has revealed the most expensive streets in Britain, highlighting the continued strength of the prime London property market and the ongoing demand for luxury homes in the UK.

While most homebuyers won’t be searching for £10 million properties, these high-end streets still offer valuable insight into the direction of the UK housing market, the strength of London property prices, and the continued appeal of prestige locations.

The house pictured above is for sale through Lumley Estates for £7 million on Newlands Avenue, Radlett, Hertfordshire, WD7.

The most expensive street in Britain

According to recent property market analysis by Rightmove, Winnington Road in Barnet, North London, has been named the most expensive street in Britain, with an average property asking price of more than £12.5 million.

This prestigious North London address is known for its:

• Large luxury mansions

• Gated homes and high-end developments

• Privacy and proximity to central London

• Popularity with international buyers

Many properties on the street feature luxury amenities such as private cinemas, indoor swimming pools, gyms, and extensive landscaped gardens. The continued demand for homes in areas like this demonstrates how London remains one of the most desirable property markets in the world.

Britain’s top five most expensive streets

The data shows that London dominates the list of Britain’s most expensive streets, particularly areas close to central London and prime residential neighbourhoods.

The current top five include:

1. Winnington Road, Barnet (N2) – £12.5m average asking price

2. Chester Square, Westminster (SW1W) – £11.5m

3. The Bishops Avenue, Barnet (N2) – £8.9m

4. Thurloe Place, Kensington & Chelsea (SW7) – £8.9m

5. East Road, Elmbridge, Surrey (KT13) – £8.7m

East Road in Surrey stands out as the only street outside London to make the national top 20, demonstrating the continued appeal of prime commuter locations close to the capital.

Prime property outside London

Although London dominates the ultra-prime property market, several high-value streets across the UK are also attracting significant interest.

Some of the most expensive locations outside the capital include:

• Newlands Avenue, Radlett (Hertfordshire) – around £3.95m

• Congleton Road, Alderley Edge (Cheshire) – around £3.3m

• Larch Avenue, Sunningdale (Ascot area) – around £2.7m

• Salterns Way, Sandbanks (Poole) – around £2.4m

These locations offer luxury homes, larger plots, and attractive surroundings while remaining within reach of major cities.

What this means for the UK property market

While these multi-million-pound homes represent the top end of the market, they still highlight some key trends shaping the UK housing market:

London remains a global property hub. Despite economic uncertainty and changing tax rules, prime London property continues to attract domestic and international buyers.

Demand for prestige locations is strong, and highly desirable streets continue to command premium prices due to their limited supply, prestige, and location advantages.

Commuter areas remain popular with luxury areas just outside London, particularly in Surrey and Hertfordshire, which remain highly sought after by buyers looking for space while maintaining access to the capital.

How to get a mortgage to buy on one of Britain’s most expensive streets 

Buying a home on one of the UK’s most expensive streets usually requires a larger mortgage and specialist advice. High street lenders may offer competitive rates and even offer mortgages up to £10 million, but their affordability rules can limit how much you can borrow. In contrast, private banks and specialist lenders often provide more flexible lending for high-net-worth clients, complex income structures, bonuses, or international earnings. They may also consider larger loan sizes and bespoke terms.

Working with an experienced mortgage broker, such as Trinity Financial, can help you access both high-street lenders and private banks to secure a mortgage for high-value property purchases.

Speak to a Trinity Financial adviser today

The mortgage market moves fast — and the right advice can make a significant difference to the rate and deal you secure. Get in touch with our team to discuss your options.

Call Trinity Financial on 0808 1642174 to secure a fixed or tracker rate mortgage, book a consultation, or use our appointment calendar

The information contained within was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change.

Your mortgage is secured on your property. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

Source: Rightmove

Banks and building societies are set to increase their most competitively priced mortgage rates again, following the war in Iran and the escalation of conflicts across the Middle East. 

Funding costs in the money markets have risen and some lenders have already said this will have a knock-on effect on UK mortgage rates.

Pete Dockar, chief commercial officer of mortgage lender Gen H, was quoted as saying: “The war in Iran is creating uncertainty in global markets and as a result, swap rates have shot up overnight. Specifically, the hampered distribution of oil through the Strait of Hormuz is already having an effect on global financial markets, and swap rates are no exception.”

Mortgage lenders typically price fixed-rate mortgages using SWAP rates. Santander recently made some large price improvements, especially to its low deposit mortgages, but it also made some small rate rises. It will be interesting to see what happens to mortgage rates over the next few days and weeks, especially if the situation in the Middle East does not de-escalate.  

Is it worth securing a mortgage rate now?

Yes. If you are applying for a mortgage or holding off on securing a rate, it makes sense to lock in now. You can monitor the market and try to swap to cheaper deals if they are available before you complete your purchase or remortgage. At the moment, there have not been large-scale rate rises. Click here for rate updates.

How much are mortgage rates now?

Two-year fixes start from just above 3.5%, while five-year fixes are available from 3.80%. These are typically offered through larger lenders like Barclays, Halifax, NatWest, and HSBC for Intermediaries.

Mr Dockar added, “This is a bit of a blow to the mortgage market because, for the first time in recent memory, buyers were feeling really optimistic; steady house prices and lower rates were driving healthy demand. But if there’s anything we’ve had to get used to in the last few years, it’s this kind of volatility. So as ever, I return to the one piece of consumer advice that never changes: talk to your broker and lock in a rate if it’s right for you.”

Speak to a Trinity Financial adviser today

The mortgage market moves fast — and the right advice can make a significant difference to the rate and deal you secure. Get in touch with our team to discuss your options.

Call Trinity Financial on 0808 1642174 to secure a fixed or tracker rate mortgage, book a consultation, or use our appointment calendar

The information contained within was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change.

Your mortgage is secured on your property. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

NatWest has implemented a broad set of rate reductions across its mortgage product range for new business, existing customers and additional borrowing. The changes span purchase mortgages, remortgages, first-time buyer deals, and buy-to-let products, with many fixed-rate options seeing cuts to their interest rates.

For two-year fixed purchase deals, reductions reached up to 0.19% and other loan-to-value tiers saw cuts ranging from about 8 to 20 bps, depending on product fee and deposit size. Five-year fixed purchase products also saw modest reductions, typically between 1 and 11 bps across various LTV levels. In the remortgage segment, two-year fixes were lowered by up to 15 bps at some LTVs, while five-year fixes saw reductions as well.

Aaron Strutt, product director at Trinity Financial, says: “NatWest is bringing down the cost of its fixed rates for borrowers with a range of deposit sizes. The bank’s cheapest two-year fix will be just over 3.60% and its best five-year fix will be below 3.85%. More lenders are improving their pricing again, and there are not so many rate hikes at the moment. Mortgage rates are a bit more expensive than they were but not much.

"The next MPC meeting is on the 19^th March, and with the money markets predicting a 70% probability of a base rate cut, we may well see a few more price reductions soon. More of the lenders are telling us they are busy with new enquiries, particularly from first-time buyers and those remortgaging, especially with around 1 million homeowners coming off of cheap five-year fixed rates this year.”  

Does NatWest offer generous mortgage income multiples? 

NatWest recently changed its residential Loan-to-Income (LTI) calculations, enabling many homebuyers and remortgaging customers to access larger mortgage loan sizes. The bank consistently offers many of the cheapest fixed- and tracker-rate mortgages available in the market.

Anyone applying for a NatWest mortgage earning over £75,000 or £100,000 jointly will now be able to access up to 6.0x income, up from 5.5x, provided they have a deposit of at least 25% and they have a good credit score. For single or joint applicants earning over £40,000, the income multiple is also being raised to 5.5x times salary from 5.0x again when they have a deposit of at least 25%. These changes only apply to capital and interest mortgages, although higher-income multiple interest-only mortgages are available to borrowers with a clear interest-only repayment strategy.

Lending solutions with Trinity Financial

Are you looking to buy a property and require expert advice? We’re here to help you find a solution – no matter how complex your circumstances. Our expert brokers have extensive experience providing creative solutions to secure mortgages for our clients.

Call Trinity Financial on 0808 1642174 to secure a fixed or tracker rate mortgage, book a consultation or use our appointment calendar

The information contained within was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change.

Your mortgage is secured on your property. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage