Inform 14th January 2022

Keystone Property Finance are delighted to announce that they have increased the amount of cashback they pay on large loans by as much as 50% to give a New Year’s boost to landlords looking to both purchase and remortgage.

The new enhanced cashback offering is as follows:
• £1,250 on loans between £150,000 – £400,000
• £2,000 on loans between £400,001 – £750,000
• £3,000 on loans between £750,001 and £1m

The news comes as a wave of buy-to-let fixed rates are due to mature in 2022. There was a spike in five-year fixed rate uptake among landlords in 2016 and 2017 following the Government’s buy-to-let tax relief reforms and the Prudential Regulation Authority’s (PRA) overhaul of portfolio landlord underwriting standards.

It means there will be thousands of landlords due to remortgage this year, costing them thousands of pounds in fees if they opt to switch to another lender.
By taking advantage of Keystone’s enhanced cashback offering, brokers can move their clients onto one of the lender’s competitive fixed rate deals while offsetting some of the costs associated with switching lenders.

Separately, Keystone has split its core (standard, specialist, cashback and green), holiday let and product transfer ranges to make it easier for brokers to find the right deal for their clients. It means that, from today, there will be separate guides for each product set. Brokers can find each of the product guides by visiting

www.keystonepropertyfinance.co.uk

If you have any questions or need any assistance with your buy to let case enquiries, please contact Keystone’s Business Development Managers on 0345 148 9086 or email enquiry@keystonepropertyfinance.co.uk.

According to our most recent owner-occupier survey, 67% of all homeowners, or those who want to become homeowners, would consider a lower mortgage rate based on their property’s Energy Performance rating an appealing element when looking at product features.

Our latest research, carried out for us by BVA BDRC, interviewed 300 individuals on their housing aspirations and circumstances during August last year. A number of questions focused on the energy efficiencies of existing housing stock, what it would take to get homeowners to make improvements, and whether ‘Green mortgages’ might have an appeal for those making such improvements or buying higher-rated properties.

Click here to read the full story.

Jasmine Smith, Business Development Manager is hosting a Live Webinar ‘Advise Credit – How can we help?’ via Teams on January 27^th at 11am for approx. 45 minutes.

MBS Lending, a subsidiary of The Melton Building Society, is a specialist lender that allows customers to apply for a residential mortgage up to 70% LTV even if they have unsatisfied defaults, satisfied CCJ’s, missed mortgage payments, IVA / DMP and even if they have discharged bankruptcy or repossession.

The webinar will be educational for brokers as it will include criteria highlights, processing information, case studies and a live Q&A session at the end with our Senior Underwriter.  The brokers will receive a CPD certificate after the event.

Register here.

With the new year underway, your clients may be starting to turn their attention to future investments.

Airbnb rentals can provide a strong level of return, and therefore may be beneficial investment opportunities for your landlord clients.

Using our fantastic panel of lenders, we can help your clients get the funding needed to achieve this goal.

Product highlights:
– Up to 75% LTV
– Loans up to £750k

Call our team on 0800 096 0650 to chat through any case. If we think we can help, we’ll happily speak with your client so you can focus on your core business.

LendInvest welcomed in the New Year by announcing a January incentive for brokers submitting deals through its bridging portal: free valuations on residential bridging deals with a property value up to £1m. Learn more about the portal and the technology simplifying bridging applications.

Find out more here.

Mansfield Building Society has reduced rates and simplified its buy to let mortgage range with four new products, all accepting applications for Standard, Consumer and Limited Company Buy to Let with a personal guarantee. The move standardises rates across all three areas of Buy to Let with the lender.

The Society’s existing specialist product range for Family Buy to Let, Expat Buy to Let, Holiday Let and Limited Company Buy to Let without a personal guarantee remain available and demonstrate the Mansfield’s commitment to supporting mortgage brokers and landlords across the Buy to Let sector.

Intermediary Sales Manager, Tom Molloy, said the latest updates demonstrated the Society’s commitment to offer innovative and flexible lending:

“As a lender with an individual underwriting approach, we embrace diverse circumstances as much as possible. We have become increasingly used to certain lending types, and can therefore be more accommodating in how we price Limited Company with a personal guarantee, Consumer and Standard Buy to Let lending.

This particularly means that our lending for SPV limited companies has become more competitive and we’re keen to grow our business and reputation in this area. For brokers with these types of buy to let clients, our individual approach can make a real difference in enabling them get on with their property plans, whether it’s a standalone new venture, expanding or even upgrading an existing portfolio.”

2021 has been a record year for the Second Charge industry, with annual second charge lending passing £1bn for the first time since 2019*. Demand from borrowers has played a significant part in the growth of the second charge market as homeowners look to make the most of the biggest asset they own – their homes. If you are seeing a surge in enquiries and need help gaining access to lenders, then look no further than Vantage Finance.

Here at Vantage, we have a wealth of experience and access to lenders, ensuring the best fitting Second Charge mortgage for your client.

Why work with Vantage?

We take pride in making the second charge mortgage application process as simple as possible, seeing beyond the complexities focusing on a quick and successful competition.

• We provide you with one point of contact throughout the entire process
• Loan can be used for any legal purpose
• Self-employed applicants considered under the same criteria as those who are employed
• Up to 95% LTV (includes first mortgage balance and ERCs where applicable)
• In some instances, we can cover the cost of the client’s valuation
• Interest only available
• Low early redemption fees
• Adverse credit can be considered

For any questions, enquiries, or cases you’d like to talk through, drop us a line or give us a call today, be sure to quote TMA Club.

T: 01753 883195
E: enquiries@vantagefinance.co.uk

Our Deadline to Breadline Research shows that many of us do not have a plan in place should the worst happen.

The research identifies the key myths and barriers preventing income protection take-up. It shows that a huge 9 in 10 don’t see themselves as their largest financial asset.

We visit the perception and reality gaps, and the myths and misconceptions that prevent consumers from engaging further with their financial plans. As well as sharing some hints and tips to overcome these common barriers.

Learn more about how we can help you ensure your clients protect their financial security.

View and download today.

We’re pleased to announce that you and your administrators can now also use SFI Live Chat to talk to us about your existing mortgage applications, in addition to your dedicated contact.

For existing application queries only, you and your administrators will need to complete identity and verification (ID&V) and provide the case reference number in the chat window.

Use SFI Live Chat to talk to us about

• Product fee queries
• Documentation requests
• Our products, service, and online system
• Valuation enquiries
• Case updates
• Understanding our residential and Buy to Let lending criteria
• Case packaging advice
• Agreement in principle declines

Please note we’re unable to take card details for payments via SFI Live Chat.

SFI Live Chat is available during the following times

Monday 9.30am to 5pm
Tuesday 9am to 5pm
Wednesday 10am to 5pm
Thursday 9am to 5pm
Friday 9.30am to 5pm

We’ve all enjoyed a well earned rest over Christmas but together it’s time to help your clients get back to their future – whether it’s…

• Solving a short term borrowing need
• Securing lending on the basis of atypical income
• Buying a more unusual property
• Borrowing more than standard income multiples

…TFI is ready to help

Despite the trials of the pandemic, the start of the 2020s have been a roaring success for the property market, with buyers being induced to move by both the stamp duty holiday and the change in lifestyle induced by home-working. So, if your clients ready to ‘make like a tree and get outta there’, the TFI team are ready to help them get their future on track.

What’s hot in 2022

• For evidenced income over £200k we can lend up to six times income
• We can monetise financial assets for income to meet affordability
• We can accept 75% of bonus income for City workers
• Short-term ERC free mortgages
• Interest only options available up to 70% LTV

Talk to TFI now to discuss your clients’ plans for 2022

0800 378 669
Visit their website

In the first of our 2022 criteria improvements we’re now able to consider applications for holiday let properties marketed via Airbnb, and similar short term holiday rental providers.

There’s no standalone products or special pricing, this is available on our standard holiday let range. Plus, your clients will benefit from our generous 60 days’ personal use allowance!

Properties marketed via AirBnb will be subject to our existing rental coverage assessment, requiring a lettings agent (not Airbnb) to provide the known or anticipated letting value, exactly the same as a standard holiday let.

If you’ve got holiday let clients give us a call on 0330 123 1073 (option 1). We’re here to help.

PRODUCT FINDER
Our easy to use product finder has all the info you need.
Click here.

LENDING CRITERIA
Browse our residential and buy to let lending criteria.
Click here.

CALCULATORS
Affordability and rental cover calcs to pre-assess your case.
Click here.

Covid-19 meant, like its predecessor, 2021 was a year where flexibility, agility and an eagle-eyed focus on the changing nature of the bridging market was critical.

Despite the movable feast of restrictions and lockdowns, the property market saw a year of opportunity with many lenders setting records for bridging and other short-term finance products.

Demand flooded the market and with it a competitive dynamic as specialist lenders vied for attention, with consumers often enjoying record-low pricing and rates.

This year we expect this trend of economic growth and consumer friendly products to continue.

Trend #1: Refurb and development boom

There’s no doubt that Rishi Sunak’s Stamp Duty extensions gave buoyancy to demand for bridging last year. However, with the government’s determination to avoid further restrictions and with the permanent societal shifts to remote or hybrid work we can expect demand to be broadly similar in 2022.

Buyers and property investors alike are seeing this year as an ideal time to pursue their goals – either through the development of more rural or coastal residential homes or buy-to-let opportunities. This means refurbishment is no longer just a city-centric endeavour.

In addition, increased auction stock and the growing trend of developing previous office or commercial spaces into new residential stock will hopefully see the beginning of rejuvenation of the nation’s neglected high streets.

There’s no doubt that 2022 will see a raft of opportunity for brokers to serve their clients with bespoke bridging solutions in order to bring their investment opportunities to fruition.

Trend #2: Levelling up of bridging knowledge

With the array of products on offer, financial options will not be the issue; however selecting the best short-term financial solution for the client may well be.

Despite the reputation of the bridging market radically changing in recent years, this does not mean that unscrupulous providers and extortionate rates are non-existent. Thankfully the past decade has led to the evolution of a more transparent and professional bridging sector, but it does not mean there are not some less than desirable lenders still operating in the marketplace.

Regulatory bodies and financial institutions are already engaged in conversations about the introduction of a specialist bridging loan qualification to ensure ethical practice and fairness in the marketplace and provide reassurance to borrowers.

It’s therefore important that brokers do their research and work with reputable and experienced providers to ensure their clients are on the best rates – which in some cases can save tens of thousands of pounds.

One way to achieve this is for brokers to partner with a specialist in the marketplace. With myriad options available, it can often be difficult for advisers to assess what the most relevant product is for their client.

In addition, bridging products are not all about rate. As speed is often of the essence, brokers are not necessarily aware of which providers can provide the finance the client needs within their (often tight) timeframes.

A specialist intermediary firm should be able to advise on the likelihood of getting a deal over the line with a specific provider, and if the lender is unlikely to be able to deliver, place the case with one who can.

Award-winning bridging specialist, Crystal Specialist Finance, can help you select the best and often bespoke product from its panel of the UK’s best specialist lenders. It can mitigate the risk and stress for both broker and their client and, after the turmoil of the past two years, this can only be welcomed.

Jason Berry is Group Sales and Marketing Director at Crystal Specialist Finance