Oil's up, swaps are up - are you expecting rate hikes this week and should borrowers get their skates on?

expat mortgages

foreign national mortgages

mortgages

Oil's up, swaps are up

Oil's up. Swaps are up. Gilt yields just hit a month high off the back of the ceasefire collapse, and lenders who spent June cutting rates are watching that calm evaporate fast. Borrowers waiting for rates to fall further are betting against oil prices and Middle East politics, and that's not a bet I'd want to be making with my mortgage. If your deal's up in the next six months, lock it in. Review it later. The window shuts quicker than it opens.

I’m driven by a passion for clear, no-nonsense advice - always delivered in plain English. That might be my northern roots showing, but I believe in cutting through the jargon and getting straight to the point, while still meeting all the necessary regulatory requirements.

If I can help you, I will. If I can’t, I’ll say so. I won’t waste your time. This honest, straight-talking approach, combined with empathy and a genuine understanding of each client’s situation is why so many people come back to me time and time again, and why they often refer me to their friends and family.

In today’s world of post-pandemic, post-credit crunch mortgage lending, it can sometimes feel like lenders are doing everything they can to avoid doing business. That’s where my determination really comes into play. If I believe in a case, I’ll go further than most to get it over the line. I don’t give up easily, and I’ll always fight for the right outcome.

What you’ll get from me is honest, impartial advice, delivered in plain English by someone who genuinely cares. You won’t get jargon, waffle, pressure to buy, or broken promises. Just straightforward support from someone who’s in your corner.

logo.jpg

logo

Craig Fish

We have seen a spike in Sonia swap rates since hostilities in the Middle East resumed, and there is a good chance lenders will increase their fixed rates in the next 48 hours. Just when things were starting to calm, oil has risen sharply again, and we are no further forward. The second half of this year looks set to remain volatile.

Founder and Director of Essex-based R3 Wealth, an independent financial adviser. Riz holds an MBA from Warwick Business School and is a mortgage market commentator who regularly appears in the media.

Riz Malik

Markets can change far quicker than mortgage products. Rising swap rates don't guarantee lender increases, but they can close the window on today's deals surprisingly fast. Borrowers nearing completion should consider securing a rate while it's available, knowing many lenders will still allow a switch if pricing improves before completion. In volatile markets, keeping your options open is often the smartest strategy.

Tracey Dixon is the Owner and Mortgage Broker at Pure Mortgage and Protection, specialising in Buy-to-Let mortgages, portfolio landlords and residential mortgage advice across the UK. Working directly with borrowers, landlords and property investors every day, Tracey provides insight into mortgage rates, lender criteria, property investment, remortgaging trends and the challenges facing both landlords and homebuyers in today's market. With experience across residential, Buy-to-Let and limited company lending, she regularly assists clients with property purchases, remortgages, portfolio growth and refinancing strategies. Tracey is available to comment on mortgage rates, lending criteria, Buy-to-Let lending, landlord issues, remortgaging trends, affordability, property investment and wider developments affecting the UK housing and mortgage markets.

Tracey Dixon

As it stands, mortgage rates will be going up and mortgage borrowers who are in the position to secure a deal now should do so. If escalation in the Middle East continues to grow, then the expectation will be for rates to rise further. The likelihood is it will affect inflation in the UK and drive up the chances that the Bank of England will have to increase the base rate.

Established in 2021 we are an expert Mortgage, Protection & Specialist Lending Broker. We are directly authorised and also offer a mortgage network proposition for appointed representatives in the mortgage market. We are based in Hampshire, although we offer our services nationwide. We understand the challenges our prospective clients face and have the experience and expertise to help guide them through the complex mortgage market.

Elliott Culley

When swaps move up this fast, lenders follow. It might not happen today, but borrowers who have been sitting on the fence waiting for rates to fall further are now playing a different game entirely. The ceasefire collapse and the oil spike have changed the mood quickly. That is the thing about mortgage markets, the window does not announce itself when it is closing. Rates were heading in the right direction and that could easily be undone in a matter of days if this continues. If you have a deal ending in the next six months, now is the time to act. Do not wait for permission from a headline.

Alexander Southwell Mortgages is a modern, independent mortgage brokerage built around one simple principle: good advice shouldn’t come with pressure, confusion, or unnecessary fees. We specialise in fee-free mortgage advice across the UK, helping first-time buyers, home movers, remortgages and more complex cases navigate one of the biggest financial decisions they’ll ever make, with clarity and confidence. We don’t believe in “one-size-fits-all” mortgages. Every recommendation starts with understanding the person behind the application. Your income, plans, concerns, and future goals matter just as much as interest rates. That’s why our advice is personal, considered, and always tailored, not rushed, scripted, or sales-led. Alongside expert, whole-of-market advice, we provide practical tools and straight-talking guidance to help you make informed decisions. From affordability checks and mortgage calculators to plain-English explanations of your options, we strip away the jargon and focus on what actually matters to you. What really sets us apart is how we work. We’re proactive, transparent, and easy to deal with. You’ll have direct access to experienced advisers.

Oil's up, swaps are up

5 responses from the Newspage community
Copy all

Craig Fish

Director at Lodestone Mortgages

Riz Malik

Independent Financial Adviser at R3 Wealth

Tracey Dixon

Buy-to-Let Mortgage Specialist & Owner at Pure Mortgage and Protection

Elliott Culley

Director at Switch Mortgage Finance

Jamie Alexander

Mortgage Director at Alexander Southwell Mortgages

5 responses from the Newspage communityCopy all

5 responses from the Newspage community
Copy all