A new range of Alliance and Leicester mortgage products has just been announced with flexibility built in to suit different customer needs.
There are different fixed term periods available, fee or no fee mortgages and also a base rate tracker. Some excellent rates are available, with a maximum loan of 75 percent of the property value enabling the Alliance and Leicester to offer these rates. One of the most popular mortgage options is expected to be the 2 year fixed rate with a 5.99 percent interest rate.
One of the Alliance and Leicester tracker mortgages that customers will find interesting is currently quoting a rate of 5.89 percent for the first 2 years, this is base rate plus 0.89 percent. After 2 years the tracker works at base plus 1.49 percent.
The Nationwide Building Society has been looking at the state of the property market with specific regard to flats, which make up around 16 percent of the total UK housing stock.
It found that the average size of a flat is 750 square feet, which is around half the size of the average detached house. They are also much cheaper than a detached house, with the UK average price for a flat standing at approximately GBP136,600. This is, says the Nationwide Building Society, around 25 percent less than the average for all properties combined and so makes it a little easier for first time buyers to get a mortgage for.
Although new build properties are often seen as being smaller than their older counterparts this is not the case with flats. Those built during the 40’s and 50’s tend to be the smallest according to the Nationwide Building Society figures, with new build flats being nearly 10 percent bigger.
,p>Get a great first time buyers Nationwide Building Society mortgage quote and get on the property ladder with a flat.
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.
Find the best rate available on a Halifax mortgage and save money.