A week may be a long time in politics, but in the lending market at the moment a week can represent a complete transformation in product choice that would normally evolve over a long period of time.
In a short space of time we have seen the return of some welcome elements of competition which, together with a fall in the cost of funds, has pushed product rates down. Some lenders, such as a re-invigorated Woolwich, have cut their rates by up to 0.6%, whilst others such as a totally reformed Northern Rock, have made an aggressive play to dominate the Best Buy charts.
Andrew Montlake, Communications Director at Coreco and ‘Mortgage Personality of the Year 2008’, gives his views — honest and no holds barred — on the latest developments within the mortgage and property markets.