⚽ Summer of Football
Thanks to everyone who took part in our World Cup score prediction competitions – it’s clear you all love a bit of friendly rivalry as much as we do! While the tournament didn’t end in the triumph we were hoping for 🏴🦁😢 we enjoyed every minute of it. Congratulations to all our winners, and thank you for making it such great fun. Here's to Euro 2028! ⚽🏆
TEAM NEWS
We've recently welcomed lots of new followers, so here's a quick introduction to the Stratton Thorpe team!
Julian Stratton has over 30 years' industry experience and is passionate about delivering a fully rounded service to clients. He's often spotted with his infamous dog, Rolo, and is a devoted Liverpool FC fan (don't hold it against him!).
Peter Thorpe started his mortgage adviser career in 2005 and has gone from strength to strength ever since. When he's not helping clients, you'll find him playing for local side Hornton FC or spending time with his wife and two teenage children.
Sangeetha Madaksira, our Northampton-based adviser, brings 25 years of financial services experience, having worked for both UK and multinational banks. In her spare time, she enjoys furniture restoration and crafting.
Olga Bogdanova, based in sunny Poole, is known for her can-do attitude and dedication to looking after her clients. She's married with two young children and speaks fluent Russian and English.
Helen Gough, our Mortgage Processing Executive, keeps everything running smoothly with her calm approach and fantastic organisational skills. Outside work, she's a keen amateur cricketer.
Follow us on socials to keep up with our team news…
MORTGAGE NEWS
Summer can be a great time to buy a property if you value easier moves, good viewing conditions and motivated sellers. However, it can also bring higher competition and slower transaction times.
☀️ Advantages
Better viewings – Longer daylight hours and good weather make it easier to assess gardens, outdoor space and natural light.
Motivated sellers – Many vendors aim to move during the school holidays and may be more open to negotiation.
Easier moving conditions – Dry, warmer weather makes moving day less stressful and more practical.
Quieter August market – Buyer activity often slows during the holiday period, reducing competition.
📉 Disadvantages
Slower transactions – Solicitors, surveyors and estate agents may be on annual leave, causing delays.
Fewer new listings later in summer – The largest influx of properties typically arrives in spring.
Strong competition for desirable homes – Well-priced family properties can attract multiple offers, particularly in early summer.
Bottom line: Summer offers excellent viewing and moving conditions, but buyers should be prepared for competition and potential delays. August can provide particular opportunities as market activity tends to ease.
Borrowers stick with shorter-term mortgages even as rates fall, Moneyfacts finds
More borrowers are choosing two-year fixed mortgages over five-year deals, driven by expectations of falling rates and greater flexibility. Demand for two-year fixes rose from 48% to 56%, while five-year fixes fell from 28% to 23%. Borrowers with larger deposits benefit from cheaper two-year rates, but those with smaller deposits often find five-year deals cheaper and must balance cost against flexibility.
SOURCE: Mortgage Solutions
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Mortgage repayments to rise just £45 over the next two years, BoE says
The Bank of England expects more than five million households to face higher mortgage repayments by the end of 2028, up from nearly four million previously. However, the impact is expected to be relatively modest, with the average homeowner coming off a fixed-rate deal over the next two years seeing repayments rise by around £45 per month, compared with £120 per month during 2022–24. Higher mortgage rates have increased the number of affected borrowers, but the expected repayment increases are much smaller than in recent years.
SOURCE: Mortgage Solutions
