Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Business
Sara Odeen-Isbister

Martin Lewis' MSE website explains if you should fix into a mortgage deal now

With interest rates on fixed mortgages continuing to fall, many people will wonder whether they should secure a deal now or hold off.

Rates shot up in September last year after the Government's disastrous Mini Budget, with fixed rate deals below 5% completely disappearing.

But they started returning November and have continued to improve as a result of increased economic stability coupled with competition between lenders.

There are now hundreds 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% - which leaves potential lenders with the difficult decision of whether to sign up to a fixed rate mortgage now or wait.

Have you lost your home because of rising rates? Or been forced to pull out of a mortgage deal? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk

Interest rates on fixed mortgages are continuing to fall (AFP via Getty Images)

To help you make a decision, Martin Lewis' website MoneySavingExpert has taken a closer look at the current situation and what lies ahead.

Of course, no one knows for sure what will happen to mortgage rates in the future - this is just their rough guide to help you make the steps toward coming up with 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 ten 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.

There are some fixed deals at the moment that are as low as 4.38% for five years (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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.

It's worth speaking to a mortgage advisor before making a decision (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

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 of course 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, check out the MoneySavingExpert remortgaging guide here and first time buyers guide here.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.