Harps Garcha's Media Coverage
Bridging Loan Directory
Property valuation surprises force investors to rebuild finance applicationsBrokers reveal how down-valuations, desktop assessments, planning questions and hidden damp changed or delayed property finance applications.
Thisismoney
Barclays makes big cuts to mortgage rates as lenders try to stave off Budget property slumpBarclays has cut its mortgage rates, and is now offering the cheapest deal for those buying a home with a 40 per cent deposit - if they fix for five years.
FT Adviser
MPs vote through renters’ rights bill providing some buy-to-let certaintyLandlords are moving towards “greater certainty” as the renters’ rights bill passes through Parliament and approaches Royal Assent.
Birmingham Live
UK house price growth slows following small 3% rise in AugustUK monthly private rents increased by 5.5%
Express.co.uk
Rachel Reeves handed dire property tax warning over ‘wealth exodus’ fearsCritics argue hikes to capital gains tax (CGT) risk punishing long-term savers and destabilising the housing market rather than raising sustainable revenue.
FT Adviser
‘Mansion tax’ would ‘kill off’ upper end of property marketFresh rumours are circulating that chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering introducing a ‘mansion tax’ in this Autumn’s budget.
London World
Rachel Reeves' 'mansion tax' could hit London homeowners the hardestA property expert has said homeowners in London and the South East will be hit hardest by Rachel Reeves' proposed mansion tax
This Is Money
What is Rachel Reeves’ capital gains tax changes?In the latest furore over Labour’s plans for property taxes, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reported to be considering taxing some of those who sell their home and make a profit.
Financial Times
UK mortgages and services data point to stronger fourth quarterThe UK economy had a better than expected end to 2023, according to closely watched indicators that showed a strong improvement in services activity and a rebound in mortgage approvals.
Birmingham Live
Cash ISA rule change still on cards as Rachel Reeves lays out plansMs Reeves has confirmed a cash ISA shake-up could be coming as she slashed red tape at her Mansion House speech.
London Property News
Buy-to-let is bouncing back ‘with lending rocketing nearly 40% in the fourth quarter’Buy-to-let is bouncing back ‘with lending rocketing nearly 40% in the fourth quarter’ ...…
Lancs Live
Cheapest mortgages could disappear fast after inflation surge, experts warnMortgage rates could be set to rise following the shock inflation jump, experts have warned - and it may mean the end of the line for the cheapest deals
Leicestershire Live
Cheap mortgage deals warning issued by expertsThe shock rise in inflation has sent swap rates soaring - and experts are warning the sub-4% mortgage deals that have been popping up of late could disappear fast
Express.co.uk
Bank of England interest rate worries over mortgage deals updateA shock rise in inflation, up from 2.5%, has rattled markets
Express.co.uk
Mortgage interest cuts to be ‘short-lived’ after inflation boosts swap ratesThe chances of further Bank of England base rate cuts have reduced following January’s jump in inflation.
Express.co.uk
Barclays cuts mortgage rates - everything we know so farBarclays has confirmed it will be reducing key mortgage rates from Tuesday, February 4
Express.co.uk
Homebuyers issued urgent warning as looming tax nightmare awaitsSweeping changes to stamp duty being brought in next year will lower the threshold at which first-time buyers are liable.
What Mortgage
Departing landlords and downsizers drive bridging loan boom - What MortgageThere has been a bridging loan boom in Autumn as a consequence of downsizing and shifts in the buy-to-let market following the Budget.
Slough Observer
Halifax launches ‘intriguing innovation’ 1.5 year fixed rate mortgagesHalifax’s new 1.5 year mortgage term is a welcome introduction for those looking for shorter fixed rate products.
South Wales Argus
Halifax launches ‘intriguing innovation’ 1.5 year fixed rate mortgagesHalifax’s new 1.5 year mortgage term is a welcome introduction for those looking for shorter fixed rate products.
Impartial Reporter
Halifax launches ‘intriguing innovation’ 1.5 year fixed rate mortgagesHalifax’s new 1.5 year mortgage term is a welcome introduction for those looking for shorter fixed rate products.
Chester and District Standard
Halifax launches ‘intriguing innovation’ 1.5 year fixed rate mortgagesHalifax’s new 1.5 year mortgage term is a welcome introduction for those looking for shorter fixed rate products.
Southend Echo
Halifax launches ‘intriguing innovation’ 1.5 year fixed rate mortgagesHalifax’s new 1.5 year mortgage term is a welcome introduction for those looking for shorter fixed rate products.
Oxford Mail
Halifax launches ‘intriguing innovation’ 1.5 year fixed rate mortgagesHalifax’s new 1.5 year mortgage term is a welcome introduction for those looking for shorter fixed rate products.
The Herald
Halifax launches ‘intriguing innovation’ 1.5 year fixed rate mortgagesHalifax’s new 1.5 year mortgage term is a welcome introduction for those looking for shorter fixed rate products.
Clacton and Frinton Gazette
Halifax launches ‘intriguing innovation’ 1.5 year fixed rate mortgagesHalifax’s new 1.5 year mortgage term is a welcome introduction for those looking for shorter fixed rate products.
Bradford Telegraph and Argus
Halifax launches ‘intriguing innovation’ 1.5 year fixed rate mortgagesHalifax’s new 1.5 year mortgage term is a welcome introduction for those looking for shorter fixed rate products.
Eastern Daily Press
Halifax launches ‘intriguing innovation’ 1.5 year fixed rate mortgagesHalifax’s new 1.5 year mortgage term is a welcome introduction for those looking for shorter fixed rate products.
Your Local Guardian
Halifax launches ‘intriguing innovation’ 1.5 year fixed rate mortgagesHalifax’s new 1.5 year mortgage term is a welcome introduction for those looking for shorter fixed rate products.
Sky News
How to get a mortgage if you’re self-employed - by industry insidersGetting a mortgage if you’re self-employed can be tricky. Luckily, we’ve got expert advice to make the process a little easier.
What Mortgage
Budget 2024: Labour hits landlords with stamp duty hike - What MortgageLandlords will be hit with higher stamp duty charges when they purchase property after the Chancellor Rachel Reeves hiked the second home surcharge to 5% today.
The Mirror
Reason why mortgage rates at Barclays, Halifax and NatWest have risen this weekMortgage rates have been falling since the start of the year as lenders anticipated a cut to the Bank of England’s base interest rate. This finally happened in August, however, since they have been creeping...
Birmingham Live
Pensioners face mortgage crisis over £100,000 cap on lump sumThe Chancellor is rumoured to be planning to slash the figure people can take from their pension nest eggs free of tax from the current maximum of £268,750 to £100,000
Leicestershire Live
Pensioners face ‘mortgage crisis’ over £100,000 changeThe move, which is subject to change, could be a major blow to millions of retirement savers who have historically taken the maximum 25 percent tax-free sum from their pension pot
Express.co.uk
Pensioners face mortgage crisis over £100,000 cap on lump sumChancellor Rachel Reeves is rumoured to be planning to cut the figure people can take from their pension nest eggs free of tax from the current £268,750
Sky News
Interest rates are coming down - so why are there fears mortgage rates may be about to rise?Markets expect a series of interest rate cuts over the winter - yet those hoping mortgage deals are on a straight path down may be disappointed.
Birmingham Live
Santander bringing in ‘landmark’ change to accounts ‘starting on Tuesday’A variety of other rate cuts and changes have also been announced.
What Mortgage
Fixed mortgage rates fall to lowest level since February - What MortgageTSB, Virgin and Santander are the latest lenders to have cut mortgage rates over the last week as data emerged showing prices have fallen to their lowest in six months.
Express.co.uk
New twist in mortgage price war as TSB makes “aggressive” cuts on new ratesMortgage brokers described the rate cuts across a series of products as “aggressive” and predicted that other major lenders will follow suit
Daily Mail
‘Panic’ over threat of Labour’s capital gains tax raidThe Prime Minister sparked panic with a gloomy Downing Street speech on Tuesday, in which he warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ upcoming budget would be ‘painful’.
Introducer Today
Tomorrow’s Interest Rate Decision - stick or drop?Tomorrow’s Interest Rate Decision - stick or drop?
FTAdviser
‘History set to repeat itself’ as mortgage approvals rise in wake of electionHistory "looks set to repeat itself" as mortgage approvals appear to be rising following the general election in line with historic trends, Brooklyns Financial director, Harps Garcha, has said.
Express.co.uk
Inflation plunge fuels property market experts’ hopes of interest rate cutThere is some pessimism that the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will answer the call to cut the cost of borrowing and mortgages when it announces its decision tomorrow.
FTAdviser
The Green party manifesto: experts’ verdictThe Green party's pledge to introduce a 'wealth tax' on the country's richest individuals will be both damaging and difficult to implement, according to experts.
Express.co.uk
Key reason Bank of England pressured to cut interest rates before electionThe key ECB rate has come down to 3.75 percent which compares to 5.25 percent figure in the UK.
What Mortgage
‘Win for borrowers’: Lender to make credit checks transparentBeing rejected for a mortgage is bad enough. But when there is no information about why the credit check has failed, customers can feel confused and in the dark.
FTAdviser
Gen H credit search tool ‘mortgage market game-changer’Gen H's tool to address credit search transparency has been hailed as a “mortgage market game-changer” by brokers.
Express.co.uk
Debt warning as firms accused of dishing out loans to Britons ‘willy nilly’The situation is so serious that brokers are urging City watchdogs at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to take an urgent look at the issue.
Express.co.uk
Interest rates cut pressure piles on Bank of England as repossessions jump 28%Mortgage possession actions against home buyers in the first three months of this year were the highest since 2019 with a total of 5,182.
FTAdviser
Barclays rate reductions ‘beacon of hope’Barclays’s recent mortgage rate cuts are a “beacon of hope for many borrowers”, Brooklyns Financial director, Harps Garcha, has argued.
Birmingham Live
Barclays introducing new mortgage rules ‘starting from Friday’Key residential purchase product change highlights include a reduced 5 year Fixed £899 product fee
The Intermediary
Mortgage borrowers who use gambling as a leisure activity “shouldn’t be treated like they’re the Cincinnati Kid”“Plonk a tenner on the Grand National and some lenders think you’re a hustler in Vegas,” said one broker.
FTAdviser
Santander product changes ‘step in the right direction’A number of changes to Santander’s affordability criteria and to its LTV limits are “a step forward” for those eyeing the upper end of the market, according to one broker.
The Intermediary
Total number of individual and company insolvencies rise in February, data revealsThe number of registered company insolvencies in February 2024 was 2,102, 17% higher than in the same month in the previous year.
Express.co.uk
Personal debt crisis – surge in numbers seeking bankruptcyThe total number of insolvencies reached 10,136 in February compared to 8,239 in the same month last year.
FTAdviser
Govt reportedly scraps 99% mortgage scheme after concernsBrokers have said the government’s proposed 99 per cent mortgage scheme “would never have ended well” following reports the idea has been scrapped. government insiders report...
The Intermediary
Plans for 99% mortgages apparently scrapped - reaction from brokersThis comes following January reports that the Chancellor was set to introduce 1% deposit, or 99% loan-to-value (LTV) mortgages as part of the upcoming Spring Budget.
Express.co.uk
Property transactions hit lowest level for January in 11 years in blow to marketThe figures “don’t paint a pretty picture” of the property market, an expert has said.
FTAdviser
Mortgage default rates increased in run-up to ChristmasMortgage defaults jumped in the run-up to Christmas and are expected to get worse going into 2024, according to data from the Bank of England.
Introducer Today
Demand for Mortgages Soars as rates war draws in applicantsDemand for Mortgages Soars as rates war draws in applicants
FTAdviser
Mortgage approvals rise for second monthNet mortgage approvals for house purchases rose to 50,100 in November 2023, a report from the Bank of England has revealed.
Financial Times
UK mortgages and services data point to stronger fourth quarterEconomy had a better than expected end to 2023, easing recession fears