If you are wondering whether you should secure a fixed-rate mortgage deal now or hold off, this advice might help.
Interest rates went up in September last year following the Government's Mini Budget, with fixed rate deals below 5% completely disappearing. But they started returning in November and have continued to improve as a result of increased economic stability coupled with competition between lenders.
There are now hundreds of fixed rate deals on offer below 5%. Experts are predicting rates will continue to fall even further in the coming months - some brokers say maybe as low as 4%, reports The Mirror.
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Now, Martin Lewis' website MoneySavingExpert has taken a closer look at the current situation. And the following information from the consumer experts might help you make a decision.
What are the current fixed rates on offer?
According to MoneySavingExpert, there are currently deals with interest rates as low as 4.56% on two-year fixes and 4.38% on five year fixes. For 10 years, the rates are even lower. Halifax, for example, has a 10-year fix at just 4.04% and Lloyds Bank at an even lower 3.99%, though the latter is only available to people already borrowing with Lloyds.
Low rates, explains the website, do sometimes come with expensive arrangement fees, something always worth checking before you lock in.
Should I lock in now?
It all depends on your current circumstances. Ultimately, you should speak to a mortgage broker who can offer some expert advice before you make a final decision.
If your current mortgage deal is coming to an end, make sure you don't fall onto a lender's standard variable rate (SVR) as these tend to be the most expensive. Some of these have edged over 7% recently, says MoneySavingExpert.
You could jump onto a tracker mortgage that allows you to change to a fixed deal without paying a fee if you're worried about fixing. Tracker rates follow the Bank of England base rate, rising and falling as it does. Right now, tracker rates are as low as 3.74%.
It's worth noting that the base rate increased for the ninth time in December last year, taking it to 3.5%. So, as MoneySavingExpert explains, taking this route does come with some risk.
If you do want to fix right now - for example, for price certainty - some lenders let you lock in a rate six months in advance and many more let you lock in three months ahead. The downside is, you won't be able to leave the deal early without paying an exit fee.
Also, although experts are predicting fixed rate deals will continue to fall, there is no guarantee. If you have a few months left on your current fixed rate mortgage, you have a bit more wriggle room and MoneySavingExpert suggests it could be worth holding off.
For more information, see the MoneySavingExpert remortgaging guide here and first time buyers guide here.
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