MAJOR LENDERS CUT MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES: IS THIS THE START OF A ‘PRICE WAR’?

• Santander and Barclays latest lenders to reduce rates
• Nationwide has reduced mortgage rates by up to 0.20% 
• Halifax’s reductions apply to mortgages arranged via brokers
• Average rates on fixed mortgages have continued to fall since November

Major mortgage lenders are reducing their rates, as the average cost of a fixed rate mortgage continues to fall from the highs seen last year.

Nationwide has reduced interest rates across its mortgage range by up to 0.2 per cent, with the cheapest fixed deal now at 4.34 per cent.

The price cuts include low-deposit mortgages, aimed at first time buyers, as well as remortgage products.

A five-year fixed rate on a 10 per cent deposit mortgage is now 4.79 per cent, with a £999 fee – a reduction of 0.1 per cent.

There is also a five-year fixed rate on a 40 per cent deposit mortgage at 4.34 per cent, reduced by 0.09 per cent. It also comes with a £999 fee.

Tracker rates have also come down by up to 0.2 per cent, on two, three and five year initial terms. A two-year tracker rate on a 40 per cent deposit is now 3.79 per cent with a £999 fee, reduced by 0.20 per cent.

This will hopefully trigger a new price war in the mortgage market, and about time too 

Will mortgage rates go below 4%? 

 Mortgage rates rose rapidly at the end of last year, thanks to uncertain economic conditions in the UK and the fallout from the disastrous mini-Budget in September, but they are now slowly falling. Interest on the average five-year fixed mortgage has dropped well below 6 per cent to 5.42 per cent, as more lenders reduce their rates. Two-year fixed rate deals are now at an average of 5.6 per cent, according to Moneyfacts. But the best deals available now are heading towards 4 per cent, with rates as low as 4.04 per cent on a 10-year fix for those with large deposits.

Halifax has also announced rate reductions across its product range for intermediaries. These are rates which are only available to those who go through a broker, rather than directly to the lender.  The reductions have been applied to fixed rates for home buyers including first time buyers and affordable housing schemes including shared ownership, as well as its range of green home products.

What to do if you need a mortgage?

 Borrowers who need to find a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is coming to an end, or because they have agreed a house purchase, should explore their options as soon as possible.

 What if I need to remortgage? 

Borrowers should compare rates and speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act to secure a rate. Anyone with a fixed rate deal ending within the next six to nine months, should look into how much it would cost them to remortgage now – and consider locking into a new deal.

Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added the loan and they are then only charged when it is taken out. By doing this, borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees.

What if I am buying a home? 

Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be.

Home buyers should beware overstretching themselves and be prepared for the possibility that house prices may fall from their current high levels, due to  higher mortgage rates limiting people’s borrowing ability.

How to compare mortgage costs 

The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a good broker. Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so the advice is that if you need a mortgage to compare rates and then speak to a broker as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.

By Fran Ivens For This Is Money