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Barclays reduces fixed rates on purchases in a"refreshing departure from the recent trend"

Journalist: Justin Moy, Contributing Editor

ended 07. May 2024

Barclays has just announced a reduction to its Fixed Rate purchase deals, with some rates up to 0.39% cheaper at the higher Loan to Value pricing.

Newspage asked mortgage brokers for their thoughts on this announcement from Barclays, and whether other lenders will follow suit. This was a common strategy early in January as lenders moved purchase and remortgage rates in different directions.

8 responses from the Newspage community

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Michelle Lawson
Director at Lawson Financial
Messed up mixed message May has started. Barclays reducing while HSBC and Natwest have increased today. Who knows what is going on...anyone?!
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Justin Moy
Managing Director at EHF Mortgages

Barclays has made a surprising move with its purchase rates, mirroring a strategy adopted by many lenders back in January to stimulate the crucial home-moving market. Given the significance of this segment, I anticipate other High Street lenders following suit with similar changes to their products. However, we may see remortgage products increase to offset these discounted deals. Overall, it's a positive move from Barclays that is likely to attract a lot of business in the short term.
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Ranald Mitchell
Director at Charwin Mortgages
The UK housing market is in urgent need of revitalisation, with potential homebuyers poised yet hesitant due to escalating mortgage rates. The demand to purchase or relocate is evident, but high rates have kept many prospective buyers on the sidelines. Barclays latest move lowering their mortgage rates, offering more affordable borrowing costs will assist some buyers. However, further rate reductions are necessary to truly kickstart the property market.
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Dariusz Karpowicz
Director at Albion Financial Advice

Barclays' decision to lower rates on its fixed-rate Purchase deals, particularly at higher loan-to-value levels, is a refreshing departure from the recent trend of rate hikes among mainstream lenders. While this reduction brings welcome news for potential homebuyers, I'm hesitant to anticipate a similar trend from other lenders amidst the current economic uncertainty. It's certainly a breath of fresh air, but whether it will influence other lenders remains uncertain.
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Ben Perks
Managing Director at Orchard Financial Advisers
Barclays bringing better news for borrowers by announcing cuts to their purchase product range. This is a stark contrast to the majority of lenders that have been increasing lately. It shows a real intent to lend and a willingness to price aggressively where possible.
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Stephen Perkins
Managing Director at Yellow Brick Mortgages
Positive rate reductions from Barclays on purchase applications is very welcome news, especially after so many rate rises from top six lenders over the past seven days. This is likley more about business mix goals, trying to attract more purchase and less remortgage business for a short period.
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Hannah Bashford
Director at Model Financial Solutions
Barclays setting out their stall as a lender that wants to lend and helping to stimulate the housing market.
Not a great day for existing borrowers, with other lenders increasing their existing borrower rates and Barclays focusing on purchases, but any decrease in rates at this point is very welcome.
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Gary Bush
Financial Adviser at MortgageShop.com
Wow, Barclays bank is pushing its mortgage rates in the right direction, downwards, against a lot of its competitor lenders who are increasing still. UK households truly need to see rates coming down to ease some of the pressure that they have come under for the last 2 years.