The recent suggestion about the Alliance and Leicester being taken over by a larger European financial institution has been seen as both a good and bad thing by some experts.
On the one hand the Alliance and Leicester having strong financial support from a much bigger player would instil confidence in customers and probably drive more people to use them. That is a short term scenario though, with the potential longer term one being a market that has less choice.
When organisations join together there is a natural culling of duplicate products and a streamlining of the range – this would be no different with the Alliance and Leicester it has been suggested. Less choice means limited options for mortgage buyers and the likelihood that costs will ultimately be higher.
In the current property situation it appears that the majority of homeowners improving their properties are doing so to increase its value according to the Halifax.
The Halifax survey found that around 28 percent of people are planning home improvements this year, with the primary objective being add value. Of these people around half of them are expecting to add in the region of GBP5,000 to what the property is worth, with over 10 percent aiming for between GBP10,000 and GBP25,000.
By far the most popular improvement is redecorating, followed by garden improvements and adding new furnishings. A Halifax spokesman said that home improvements can add value to a home, although expectations of higher property values should be balanced against a market where the buyer is stronger right now, so prices can be variable.
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Legal and General has brought a new tracker mortgage to the market, with a maximum loan to value of 75 percent.
The mortgage does have a GBP999 arrangement fee, though this can be added to the mortgage value. There is also an offset facility at no extra charge and, for those looking for a remortgage there is a separate package or a cash return. In a quiet mortgage market Legal and General hope that this particular approach will generate considerable interest.
A spokesman from the company said that this particular tracker mortgage option would be perfect for someone with equity in their property and a balance of money that could be offset against the home loan. Legal and General are happy to answer any queries regarding the tracker mortgage, inviting people to get in touch either on line, by phone or at their local branch.