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Cost of fixed-rate mortgages starts to rise | Cost of fixed-rate mortgages starts to rise |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The cost of taking out a fixed-rate mortgage has started to rise, even though the Bank of England has kept base rates at a record low. | The cost of taking out a fixed-rate mortgage has started to rise, even though the Bank of England has kept base rates at a record low. |
Barclays and NatWest have become the latest lenders to increase the cost of some of their fixed-rate products. | Barclays and NatWest have become the latest lenders to increase the cost of some of their fixed-rate products. |
At least nine other banks or building societies have also raised their rates in the past few weeks. | |
Anyone taking out a typical mortgage of £125,000 could now pay around £130 a year more as a result of the changes. | Anyone taking out a typical mortgage of £125,000 could now pay around £130 a year more as a result of the changes. |
"Mortgage rates look like they're turning round from the record lows that borrowers have been enjoying," said David Hollingworth, associate director of London and Country Mortgages. | "Mortgage rates look like they're turning round from the record lows that borrowers have been enjoying," said David Hollingworth, associate director of London and Country Mortgages. |
But no one on a fixed rate will see any changes until their current deal expires. | But no one on a fixed rate will see any changes until their current deal expires. |
Extra £11 a month | |
On Friday, Barclays increased the cost of its two-year fixes by up to 0.2%. Repayments on a two-year fix at 60% loan-to-value will go up from 1.09% to 1.29%. | |
Anyone taking out a two-year fixed-rate mortgage from Barclays, and borrowing £125,000, will pay an extra £11.48 a month, according to London and Country Mortgages. | |
NatWest is increasing the interest rate on one of its five-year fixes by 0.9%, but more typically by 0.16% on a two-year fix. | NatWest is increasing the interest rate on one of its five-year fixes by 0.9%, but more typically by 0.16% on a two-year fix. |
Other lenders that have increased rates include Nationwide, TSB, the Halifax and Santander. | Other lenders that have increased rates include Nationwide, TSB, the Halifax and Santander. |
Around four million people have fixed-rate mortgages. | Around four million people have fixed-rate mortgages. |
'Do not hang around' | 'Do not hang around' |
The reason for the rise is that lenders are having to pay more to access the funds they need to lend out to homeowners. | The reason for the rise is that lenders are having to pay more to access the funds they need to lend out to homeowners. |
Even though base rates themselves have not gone up, so-called "swap rates" have risen in recent weeks. | Even though base rates themselves have not gone up, so-called "swap rates" have risen in recent weeks. |
These are financial instruments used by lenders, which reflect the expectation that base rates will go up in the near future. | These are financial instruments used by lenders, which reflect the expectation that base rates will go up in the near future. |
The Bank of England has already suggested that rates will rise "in the relatively near term". Some experts think that could be as soon as next month. | The Bank of England has already suggested that rates will rise "in the relatively near term". Some experts think that could be as soon as next month. |
"We are introducing changes to our mortgage rates that include a number of rate increases on our residential deals," said Mark Bullard, head of sales at NatWest. | "We are introducing changes to our mortgage rates that include a number of rate increases on our residential deals," said Mark Bullard, head of sales at NatWest. |
"Swap rates have risen recently, on the expectation that interest rates will begin to rise in the near future, which has increased the cost of funding." | "Swap rates have risen recently, on the expectation that interest rates will begin to rise in the near future, which has increased the cost of funding." |
David Hollingworth advised anyone thinking of taking out a mortgage "not to hang around", as rates are likely to rise further. | David Hollingworth advised anyone thinking of taking out a mortgage "not to hang around", as rates are likely to rise further. |