Shock Help to Buy move catches networks off-guard
How on earth are brokers supposed to simplify consumers’ understanding when we too are also completely in the dark?
HW
Help to Buy acceleration: The industry reacts
Well after Ed Miliband announced his big energy price freeze, David Cameron had to do something spectacular in reply! So he brought forward the launch of H2B part two even though most of the actual details still haven’t been made public, including quite crucially the cost to the lenders!
What a way to make policy!
The Cynical Broker
NatWest shuns brokers to launch Help to Buy 2 direct only
Appalling decision in my opinion. Clients will need as much assistance as possible with this type of transaction and brokers are potentially in the best position to do this.
The decision not to launch through brokers and retain higher profitability to the bank from effectively a publicly owned company is diabolical.
Sam Hubbard
Osborne blasts London-centric Help to Buy critics
House prices are far too high already. They have been too high for the past decade. That’s why people are finding it difficult to buy for the first time. And, what is wrong in bringing back MIGs? – why should other taxpayers take the risk of default on other peoples’ loans?
The regulator (and government) have been instrumental in denying almost everyone an interest-only mortgage despite this being a sensible way of getting into ownership for many, many people. Why? They should mind their own business and let people make their own decisions and plans in life.
All we get is nannying from governments (red, blue and yellow) who have proven that they can’t manage anything! If the government was to stop interfering and trying to micromanage everything, people could make appropriate decisions for themselves.
Bill Wells
Buy-to-let landlords could be forced to offer longer tenancies
Eric is going to get landlords in a pickle with this one. Modern leases prevent landlords from offering more than 12 month tenancy agreements, as do most BTL mortgage conditions. The government need to take a look at the “Deed of Assurance” – Google it.
Hundreds of landlords have been using a Deed of Assurance to improve tenant relationships for a few years now. It is a shame it’s been overlooked by government as it’s a better deal for tenants too, remember, most tenants do not want to commit to a long-term contract which they can’t get out of any more than landlords do.
Mark Alexander
Thank you for your comments this week
