At Greenstone Mortgages, our ethos is simple
If you have been holding off on your mortgage plans until the Bank of England made its next move, you now have a clear answer. The central bank has opted to keep borrowing costs steady. Below is a straightforward breakdown of what happened, along with our practical advice on what you should do next.
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Whenever there is a major shift in Downing Street, our inbox at Greenstone Mortgages fills up with the same question: "What does this mean for my monthly payments?" With Andy Burnham taking office as Prime Minister on 20 July 2026, it is completely natural to wonder if your home-buying plans or upcoming remortgage are about to be thrown off course. Headline news often makes it sound like every cabinet move instantly changes mortgage rates overnight.
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When you prepare to buy a home or remortgage, one of the most critical elements of your financial blueprint is your credit report. Mortgage lenders do not like inconsistency or unmanaged risk. Keeping your credit file clean and completely "mortgage-ready" from the very beginning is the absolute cornerstone of a successful application.
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In this podcast episode, Ifthikar sits down with David Clift from Greenstone Mortgages to discuss the current mortgage market, the challenges facing buyers and homeowners, and why good advice can make a real difference.
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If you are self-employed and buying your first home, getting a mortgage can be more complex than it is for someone in permanent employment. Most lenders usually want to see two years’ accounts, but in some cases, certain lenders may consider one year’s accounts if the case is strong and presented properly.
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Most lenders offer 4 to 4.5 times your income as a starting point. In 2026, a growing number will go to 5.5 or 6 times for first-time buyers. A handful of lenders now offer up to 7 times income, reserved for specific circumstances. Five percent deposit mortgages are widely available; some lenders will consider zero percent but your credit profile needs to be immaculate. Government schemes including Shared Ownership, the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme (Freedom to Buy), First Homes, and Deposit Unlock remain open in 2026. The Bank of England base rate is currently 3.75%, down from its 5.25% peak in 2023, but market sentiment has shifted in late April 2026, with further cuts now unlikely before 2027. Locking in a competitive rate now matters more than waiting.
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Navigating the 2026 property market as a first-time buyer can feel like a maze of shifting rates and complex jargon. In this episode of the Greenstone Mortgages podcast, expert adviser Helen Clift breaks down the essentials—from why you might not need a 20% deposit to how a Decision in Principle can, with some lenders, help you secure a rate earlier in your journey.
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The Bank of Mum and Dad remains one of the most important routes onto the property ladder in 2026. With rising living costs and affordability pressures, many first-time buyers rely on family support not just for deposits, but also through modern mortgage structures.
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In 2026, many first-time buyers in Reading purchase with deposits between 5% and 15%, but the “right” level depends on your situation, property and chosen lender. Government and lender schemes can help some Reading buyers, but they all come with conditions and risks that need careful explanation before you decide. Your realistic price range in Reading depends on income, deposit, regular outgoings, and local property prices in the streets and suburbs you’re targeting. Lenders use their own affordability rules and caps, often linked to income multiples, but these vary and are not guaranteed.
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As we move into the final days of March 2026, the UK mortgage market has shifted direction once again. Over the past week, lenders have begun increasing fixed mortgage rates and withdrawing some of their most competitive products. This change has been driven by movements in financial markets rather than a direct change in the base rate.
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The UK mortgage market has experienced significant changes over the past two decades. At Greenstone Mortgages, founder David Clift has spent more than 25 years helping homeowners and buyers across Reading and Berkshire navigate these changes. During that time, he has advised clients through the 2008 financial crisis, the economic uncertainty following the Ukraine conflict, and the recent cost-of-living pressures that affected households across the UK.
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Investing in property remains one of the most effective ways to build long-term wealth. However, the buy to let landscape in 2026 is defined by specific tax thresholds and digital reporting requirements that make expert planning essential.
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