LTV, APR, DTI... it's enough to make your head spin. Let us break it down for you. Dig into our content to learn more about house hunting, first-time buyer mortgages, interest rates and so much more.
Today, 26th March 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented her first highly anticipated Spring Statement to parliament. If you're a first-time buyer or saving for big life goals, understanding how these changes might affect you is crucial. Here's a breakdown of the key announcements and what they mean for you.
Read more
Today (20th March 2025), the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to hold the base rate at 4.5%. This was widely expected by the market, with the committee voting 8-1 for the rate to stay at its current level. Now, the next base rate cut isn’t expected until May, with inflation expected to increase off the back of uncertainty in the global markets, the upcoming Spring Statement, supply chain disruptions and other economic factors.
Read more
When it comes to saving for your future —whether it’s a first home, a holiday, a wedding or simply some financial protection for a rainy day — finding the right savings account can make all the difference. As 2025, we're thrilled to introduce the new Tembo Cash ISA, offering a competitive 4.55% AER (variable) interest rate. This is the latest addition to our growing range of savings products, following the successful launch of our market-leading Lifetime ISA (LISA). With this new Cash ISA, your money isn’t just sitting in savings collecting dust - it’s actively working harder for you.
Read more
2024 was a bit of a whirlwind in mortgage land. The average two-year fixed-rate mortgage deal fell from 5.93% to 5.62% over the course of the year. But there were plenty of ups and downs in between as the economy rode the waves of inflation falling from 4.0% in January to 1.7% in September and then back up to 2.3% in October. Not to mention the general election and the first Budget from a Labour government in 14 years. There were some milestone moments too - the Bank of England cut its base rate for the first time since 2020, and mortgage rates below 4% made a reappearance. And this year is set to be as eventful. Borrowers should expect mortgage rates to continue to come down in 2025, while house prices are expected to go up. The first part of the year is expected to see a flurry in housing activity as home buyers try to complete before Stamp Duty changes in April. While rents are predicted to increase following more Buy to Let properties being sold off, reducing supply.
Read more
Labour had warned us that their first budget for 14-years would involve some “difficult decisions” as they look to raise £40bn for the public coffer. And after months of speculation, scare-mongering and uncertainty, on the 30th October Rachel Reeves became the first female Chancellor ever to deliver a Budget. Here's the key changes announced in the Budget that could influence the housing market.
Read more
Since we acquired Nude back in February 2024, our product and tech teams have been working hard behind the scenes on what’s coming next for our award-winning savings app. Tembo has always prioritised simplicity and clarity, and with this redesign, we're taking these values to the next level. Our dedicated product and tech teams have been working tirelessly to ensure the app not only retains its unique charm but also aligns seamlessly with the Tembo brand and vision. And now, we're thrilled to be finally unveiling a fresh new look to make saving towards those big life goals even easier.
Read more
The Bank of England has voted to hold the base rate at 5.0% after last month's cut. Despite the hold, as recently as this morning mortgage lenders have been cutting their rates. With market activity picking up, and another cut expected in either November or December this year, things are looking up in the property market.
Read more
Stamp Duty is increasing from 1st April 2025 for both first-time buyers and home movers. We’re here to cut through the noise and explain what this could mean for your home-buying plans.
Read more
The recent cut in the Bank of England's base rate from 5.25% to 5% has started a price war among mortgage lenders, with a flurry of sub-4% mortgage deals coming to market. In general, lower interest rates can mean lower borrowing costs, but the implications for your mortgage can vary depending on your current situation. Let's explore what actions you can take now that the base rate has been reduced.
Read more
One month in, Keir Starmer's government has now settled into No.10, so let's take a look at Labour's housing promises and what progress has been made so far.
Read more
It’s big news for mortgages as the Bank of England has voted to cut the base rate after 4-years of rises or holds.
Read more
After months of absence, mortgage deals with rates below 4% are making a comeback. Here's what you need to know.
Read more
The UK election is only a few weeks away, and each party is making housing a key part of their housing policies. If you're a homeowner or first-time buyer, it's understandable to be anxious about how the general election will impact house prices. Keep reading to find out how the election could reshape the housing market and what it means for your home purchase plans.
Read more
Following Rishi Sunak’s surprise election announcement, it wasn’t long before the focus turned to how the election will affect our wallets. If you’re a homeowner, home mover or first-time buyer, you’ll probably be wondering how the election will impact mortgage rates.
Read more
We’ve got some exciting news to share! Now, we can officially announce that we have acquired the award-winning Lifetime ISA provider Nude. At Tembo, we are focused on building an industry-leading homebuyer platform for buyers and remortgagers - providing our customers with the fastest and most financially efficient route to homeownership.
Read more
We’ve certainly gone into 2024 with a bang not a whimper! Yesterday (Wednesday 3rd January), HSBC announced that it was releasing a 3.94% 5 year fixed rate remortgage deal and a 4.49% 2 year fixed rate remortgage deal!
Read more
Jeremy Hunt has unveiled the contents of his 2023 Autumn Statement, promising to increase the state pension, make ISAs more flexible and help benefit claimants find work. But what does the Autumn Statement mean for you and when will it take effect?
Read more
Looking for the latest predictions? Read our blog on house price and mortgage rate predictions for 2025 here. Much has changed since we shared our mortgage predictions for 2023. Over 2023 inflation and mortgage rates soared, the cost of living got tighter and the Help to Buy scheme came to a close. All these changes had an impact on the mortgage market, both in 2023 and what is now happening to mortgages in 2024. Keep reading to find out what to anticipate in the world of mortgages and house prices for the rest of 2024.
Read more
We've scoured the UK’s real-estate market to find the most expensive home in each of England’s 48 counties, and how much you’d need to earn to buy them.
Read more
Summer sunshine may feel like a distant dream, but there's hope on the horizon in mortgage-land. While many Brits enjoy a much-earned summer getaway, the world of mortgages stops for no tan (excuse the bad pun, we couldn’t help it). Here’s the latest goings-on in the market that you need to know about.
Read more
There’s been a lot of talk about mortgage interest rates over the last few months - it’s been almost impossible to watch the news without there being some mention of mortgages, inflation or the Bank of England’s base rate. With so much noise, it can be difficult to know what exactly is going on, and which way interest rates are going. Are rates going down? How long will interest rates stay high? To set the record straight, we’ve answered all your burning questions in this helpful guide.
Read more
When a recession hits, it can be a worrying time for homeowners and first time buyers, particularly those facing tightening budgets, pay cuts or even redundancies. Keep reading to find out what happens to mortgage rates in a recession, and what you should do.
Read more
Mortgages are getting more headlines than Love Island this year, and with the market in constant flux, the Tembo team want to give you the inside scoop. Each month, one of their experts will provide commentary on the latest news from lenders, the Bank of England and more. Without further ado, let’s cover off July’s headlines.
Read more
Chances are, you’ve likely heard the Bank of England’s base rate mentioned in the news - probably in relation to mortgage interest rates or inflation. But what is the base rate, and how does it impact you? Keep reading to find out.
Read more
Mortgage interest rates have been rising, hiked up in line with the Bank of England increasing its base rate - in fact it has increased 13 times in a row. The base rate now stands at 5%, the highest level since the 2008 financial crash. The higher mortgage rates are leading to higher borrowing costs. This not only makes it more expensive for first time buyers looking to get on the ladder, but also homeowners on variable rate mortgages or those coming to the end of their fixed rate deal. Concerns over the rising mortgage rates have led to the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt meeting with the top UK mortgage lenders to discuss what support they will give to customers. This has resulted in HSBC, Santander, Natwest, Barclays and other lenders signing up to a Mortgage Charter.
Read more
If you’re living in a rental property and you’re struggling to save a deposit, Skipton Building Society’s new 100% mortgage could hold the key to your first home. It’s the first no-deposit deal of its kind to be launched in the UK since 2008. A number of lenders do already offer 100% mortgages, but they’re only available to applicants with a guarantor or family support. With the help of Skipton’s Track Record Mortgage, more renters will be able to get on the property ladder without help from family, or needing to spend years saving. But are 100% mortgages worth it? What are the eligibility requirements for Skipton’s 100% mortgage and are there any alternatives?
Read more
On the 15th March 2023, the chancellor Jeremy Hunt presented his first budget. With inflation, interest rates and utility bills on the rise, many Britons were hoping he’d unveil elaborate plans to curb living costs and leave more money in ordinary people’s pockets. But did his budget live up to expectations? It has some promising developments for working parents and households struggling with energy costs, but first-time buyers and homeowners may be disappointed with the lack of support. If you’re wondering what the Spring Budget 2023 means for you and your money, here’s our summary of its key announcements:
Read more
If you’ve been saving a house deposit, you’ll know only too well how expensive houses are. In fact, in our 2021 First Time Buyer’s report, we found that the cost of an average house in the UK is 65 times higher than in 1970, while earnings have only gone up 35 times. This affordability gap is making it harder and harder for first time buyers to get on the ladder in comparison to previous generations. But are house prices still rising? If inflation continues to rise, what happens to house prices? And why do house prices rise when so many people are struggling financially? We’ll answer your biggest questions below.
Read more
2022 was another year of unpredictability. We experienced an energy crisis, cost of living crisis, rising inflation and three different prime ministers. After an uncertain year, it’s hoped that Rishi Sunak can help the UK avoid a lengthy recession and steer us towards economic stability. But what are his plans for housing? What does his Conservative manifesto say about first time buyers? And is government housing policy enough to help those who need it the most? Let’s take a look at what Rishi Sunak’s housing policies could mean for you.
Read more
Looking for the latest predictions? Read our blog on house price and mortgage rate predictions for 2025 here. 2022 has been a tumultuous year, to say the least. Prime ministers going in and out of Downing Street like swinging doors, an apocalyptic mini-Budget, inflation rates rising and a cost of living crisis. For many, the dream of homeownership is feeling increasingly impossible as each month’s paycheck needs to stretch even more. But after such a volatile year, could there be some silver linings for first time buyers in 2023? Keep reading to see the Mortgage Predictions for 2023 from our team of mortgage advisors and experts.
Read more