Virgin Money has lauched a five-year fixed deal at 3.95 per cent undercutting HSBC’s 3.99 per cent, the first five-year rate below 4 per cent since last year’s rate hikes amid the mini-budget chaos.
Mortgage rates rose rapidly at the end of last year but they are now slowly falling, spurred on by a ‘rates war’ between lenders.
Interest on the average five-year fixed mortgage has dropped well below 6 per cent to 5.05 per cent, as more lenders reduce their rates.
Two-year fixed rate deals are now at an average of 5.33 per cent, according to Moneyfacts.
The best deals available now below 4 per cent. In addition to HSBC’s five-year fix, Virgin Money is offering a 10-year fixed deal at 3.99 per cent for up to 75 per cent loan-to-value.
Average mortgage rates are down from 6.32 per cent for a five-year fix and 6.47 per cent for a two-year fix on 1 November.
It means someone agreeing a new £200,000 mortgage today over 25 years, on a two-year fixed deal would typically pay £139 less a month compared to someone fixing in November.
Rate rises: Mortgages have risen but look like they are flattening out
Before the then-Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-Budget on Friday 23 September the average two-year fixed rate was 4.74 per cent and the five-year fix was 4.75 per cent.
However, there is good news as rates are continuing to come down from their recent peaks.
In addition to Virgin Money and HSBC’s announcements Nationwide has cut its mortgage rates by up to 0.7 per cent for both new and exisiting customers.
Barclays, Santander and Halifax have also all brought their fixed rates down since the start of the year.
A number of deals are now available with rates of less than 4.5 per cent, which you can see in the ‘best fixed mortgage rates’ section in this article.
In addition, This is Money’s best mortgage rates calculator can show you the deals you could apply for and what they would cost.
You can also work out how a different interest rate would change your monthly payments, taking into account any fees, using our true cost mortgage calculator.
With costs still set to be much higher for those coming up to a remortgage, homeowners are keen to find out when rates may begin to drop more substantially.
They can find a clue to this in swap rates. These are agreements in which two counter parties, for example banks, agree to exchange a stream of future fixed interest payments for a stream of future variable payments, based on a set amount.
Mortgage lenders enter into these agreements to shield themselves against the interest rate risk involved with lending fixed rate mortgages.
Put more simply, swap rates show what financial institutions think the future holds concerning interest rates. Currently 5-year year swap rates are at around 4 per cent, suggesting that this is where they believe interest rates will be in 5 years’ time.
Why did rates rise?
Mortgage rates first began to increase in December 2021, when the Bank of England began putting up its base rate to try and combat rising inflation.
However, this accelerated after the mini-Budget in late September. The pound tumbled after the then-Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, announced several tax cuts that appeared to be unfunded. It later regained some ground after the proposal to scrap the top 45p income tax rate was reversed.
UK borrowing costs jumped as investors sold off their UK Government bonds – known as gilts – before the Bank of England stepped in announcing a £65billion programme of buying bonds to shore up the market.
Up and down: Fixed mortgage rates rose rapidly after September before slowly falling from November
After former Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned in October and new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt reversed nearly all of the mini-Budget announcements, the markets calmed down and the cost of borrowing has fallen with mortgage rates slowly dropping too.
The Bank of England’s base rate has continued to rise and is now at 3.5 per cent after the Monetary Policy Committee hiked it by 0.5 per cent on 15 December amid warnings of an oncoming recession in the UK and continuing double digit inflation.
But for mortgage lenders who have already priced in a significant rate rise, the news may not have a big impact on prices.
What will happen to house prices?
With borrowing more expensive, many are predicting that house prices could drop from the record highs they have reached over the past couple of years.
Average house prices have dived £15,500 since August, according to Nationwide, after mortgage rate hikes at the end of last year hammer buyers.
Most recently Halifax has reported house price growth slowing to just 1.9 per cent in January, but remained flat month-on-month.
Predictions vary, but several analysts have suggested that they could fall between 10 and 15 per cent over the next two years.
Most recently the Office for Budget Responsibility has said house prices are set to fall 9 per cent between the end of 2022 and the end of 2024.
And elsewhere estate agent Savills has updated its forecast to a 10 per cent fall in house prices over 2023.
>>Read our round up of the property market predictions for the year ahead
Lucian Cook, Savills’ head of residential research, said: ‘There are several factors that will insulate the market from the risk of a bigger downturn as seen after the financial crisis. Borrowers who haven’t locked into five-year fixed rates had their affordability heavily stress-tested until August this year.
‘This, combined with relatively modest unemployment expectations and signs that lenders are looking to work with existing borrowers to help them manage their household finances, should limit the amount of forced-sale stock hitting the market next year.’
However, others think there will be a softer landing for house prices in 2023.
Nationwide has predicted house prices will fall by 5 per cent next year as activity is expected to stabilise to just below pre-pandemic levels.
What’s happening to the base rate?
The Bank of England has steadily increased the base rate over the past year from 0.1 per cent in December 2021 to 4 per cent on 2 February 2023, in a bid to curb rising inflation.
However, the most recent Monetary Policy Committee decision saw the rate rise by 0.5 per cent. The rate of increase is expected to slow next month to 0.25 per cent – taking the rate to 4.25 per cent – the last raise of this cycle in the hope that inflation has peaked.
Though they are not directly linked to the base rate, interest rates on new fixed mortgages usually increase when the base rate goes up, because banks must pay more to borrow money.
Those on tracker rates linked to the base rate will see their rate rise instantly.
However, with many lenders already priced in the rise few expect to see fixed rates rise any further which will be a welcome relief to many borrowers.
Anil Mistry, director at Leicester-based RNR Mortgage Solutions said: ‘This base rate increase is going to have a minimal impact on fixed rates. Lenders have already priced their products with future rates at 6 per cent.’
> Quick link: Use our calculator to find mortgage rates for you
You can check best buy tables and the best mortgage rates for your circumstances with our mortgage finder powered by London & Country – and figure out what you’ll actually be paying by using our new and improved mortgage calculator.
What are the best mortgage deals?
It could still pay to switch, especially if you are on your lenders’ standard variable rate.
And for those coming to the end of a fixed term, switching to another fixed term with a different lender could be cheaper than sticking with their existing one.
Borrowers on their lenders’ standard variable rate could save a significant amount by switching to a fixed deal – even as rates rise
Choosing what length of fix to go for depends on what you think will happen to interest rates in that time, and what your personal circumstances are – for example if you will need to move.
Whatever the right type of mortgage for your circumstances, shopping around and speaking to a good mortgage broker is a wise move.
For a full rate check use This is Money’s mortgage finder service and best buy tables. These are supplied by our independent broker partner London & Country.
Best fixed-rate mortgage deals
We have taken a look at the best deals on the market based on a 25-year mortgage for a £294,000 property – the current UK average house price according to the ONS.
Bigger deposit mortgages
Five-year fixed rate mortgages
Yorkshire Building Society has a five-year fixed rate at 3.98 per cent with a £1,495 fee at 60 per cent loan to value.
First Direct has a five-year fixed rate at 3.99 per cent with a £490 fee at 60 per cent loan to value.
Two-year fixed rate mortgages
Barclays has a two-year fixed rate at 4.20 per cent with a £1,048 fee at 60 per cent loan to value.
Halifax has a two-year fixed rate at 4.25 per cent with a £798 fee at 60 per cent loan to value.
Mid-range deposit mortgages
Five-year fixed rate mortgages
Yorkshire Building Society has a five-year fixed rate at 3.98 per cent with a £1,495 fee at 60 per cent loan to value.
Virgin Money has a five-year fixed rate at 4.10 per cent with a £794 fee at 75 per cent loan to value.
Two-year fixed rate mortgages
Halifax has a two-year fixed rate at 4.30 per cent with a £798 fee at 75 per cent loan to value.
Barclays has a two-year fixed rate at 4.30 per cent with a £1,048 fee at 75 per cent loan to value.
Low-deposit mortgages
Five-year fixed rate mortgages
Skipton Building Society has a five-year fixed rate at 4.53 per cent with a £1,995 fee at 90 per cent loan to value.
Platform has a five-year fixed rate at 4.57 per cent with a £1,249 fee at 90 per cent loan to value.
Two-year fixed rate mortgages
Coventary Building Society has a two-year fixed rate at 5.00 per cent with a £999 fee at 90 per cent loan to value
Platform has a two-year fixed rate at 5.02 per cent with a £1,249 fee at 90 per cent loan to value.
>> Check our our mortgage tracker to compare the latest available deals
Tracker and discount rate mortgages
The big advantage to a good lifetime tracker is flexibility.
The same usually goes for discount rate mortgages, which track a certain level below the lenders’ standard variable rate.
A fixed-rate mortgage will almost inevitably carry early repayment charges, meaning you will be limited as to how much you can overpay, or face potentially thousands of pounds in fees if you opt to leave before the initial deal period is up.
You should be able to take a good fixed mortgage with you if you move, as most are portable, but there is no guarantee your new property will be eligible or you may even have a gap between ownership.
A good lifetime tracker has no early repayment charges, you can up sticks whenever you want and that suits some people.
Make sure you stress test yourself against a sharper rise in base rate than is forecast.
Can you get a mortgage?
Getting a mortgage is tougher than it once was. You will need to get your finances in order and be prepared for the lengthier application process and in-depth affordability interviews getting a mortgage requires nowadays.
Lenders also apply different standards to what they will lend.
Weigh up the above, check the rates here and in our best buy mortgage tables, have a scout around what the best deals look like – and speak to a good independent broker.
There are a couple of things to look out for if you do decide to fix.
You need to check the bumper arrangement fees are worth paying – if you don’t have a big mortgage you may be better off with a slightly higher rate and lower fee.
It’s also wise to think carefully about whether you expect to move home soon. A good five-year fix should be portable, so you can take it with you.
But your new property will need to be assessed and you might need to borrow extra money, and so your lender could still say no. Getting out of a fixed rate typically requires a hefty hit to the pocket from early repayment charges.
Compare true mortgage costs
Work out mortgage costs and check what the real best deal taking into account rates and fees. You can either use one part to work out a single mortgage costs, or both to compare loans
- Mortgage 1
- Mortgage 2
Choosing a mortgage – the essential quick guide
1. How big a deposit do I need?
To get the full choice of deals raising a decent deposit is still vital. The benchmark figure is 25 per cent, if you have this then you’ll be getting close to the best rates, although for an absolute cheapest deal you’re still likely to need 40 per cent.
However, a selection of better deals for smaller deposits is available up to 90 per cent.
2. Should I take a fixed rate?
Most borrowers consider the security of a fixed rate as worthwhile, whereas variable rate deals can be cheaper but leave you exposed to potential rate rises.
If you decide to take a fix you need to carefully consider how long for.
Two-year deals are cheap but only offer very short-term security and incur extra costs when you remortgage.
Five-year deals lock you in for longer and come with slightly higher rates but better security and no need to remortgage in a relatively short space of time.
3. Should I take a tracker rate?
Tracker rates are essentially a gamble. What looks like a bargain rate now, could soon get very expensive when interest rates rise.
Anyone considering a tracker needs to make sure they are not just storing up a problem for the future. If the tracker comes with an early redemption penalty that would make it expensive to jump ship, then make sure your finances could take a rise of at least 2 per cent to 3 per cent in interest rates.
For that reason we at This is Money like tracker deals that fit into one of these three categories: no early redemption penalties, a cap to how high the rate will go, or that let you jump ship for a fixed rate if rates rise.
4. Should I get off a standard variable rate?
Standard variable rates are what borrowers slip onto by default when they finish a fixed or tracker deal period.
They can typically be changed by lenders at any time – without the Bank of England moving rates. They may also rise or fall by more than any move in base rate.
A number of mortgage borrowers have fallen victim to lenders hiking their standard variable rates, despite the base rate remaining stable.
