The relaxed, opportunistic, no fear home buying and ownership of the past years has faded with the new economic environment. Now warnings abound of financial hardships in the coming months for hundreds of thousands of homeowners. This is especially true for newer homeowners that have yet to have their first mortgage term end. Not only could they be facing affordability issues, but they could also become a prisoner to their mortgage.

Experts have been encouraging homeowners to shop for a remortgage in the hopes of escaping paying more than necessary. As interest rates have risen, so has the cost of borrowing. For homeowners coming to the end of their mortgage term, higher interest rate choices amount to higher repayments. A remortgage could save money at a time when savings could be most needed and shopping for a remortgage could provide the answer as to how much.

Homeowners are being encouraged to consider a remortgage. It is one way in which a homeowner could find relief from the financial strains of today’s economy. Inflation, higher energy costs, and higher interest rates are all taking a toll on household budgets. Rather than pay out more than necessary, it is a smart strategy to try and save money when possible, and a remortgage could be helpful to a homeowner seeking savings.

Homeowners keeping an eye on their property values will find the latest information concerning the UK housing market interesting and perhaps worrisome. Some homeowners are in danger of falling into negative equity, which is when a property value falls below the level of debt on the property. Negative equity has several consequences, one of which it will block the homeowner from being able to remortgage. This is why the latest report on the average house price dropping for the fourth consecutive month by more than £4,100 is concerning.

It is no secret that things are tough financially and the forecasts aren’t optimistic it will get better any time soon. Some people are still trying to recover from the impact of the pandemic that is ongoing. Inflation has hit household budgets hard. Energy costs have caused such a drain to budgets that some are trying not to turn on their heat unless it is a matter of life and death, and unfortunately it is expected that energy costs will be rising again in Spring. Another financial strain has been rising interest rates. 

The forecast for the UK housing market is for a cooling off due to higher interest rates, continued impacts from inflation, higher energy costs, and consumer caution. There had been concern that homeowners would not only be facing higher repayments but also a loss of property value as the market declined. However, experts are more optimistic about the housing market and widespread loss of home values are less of a concern.