Two Year Fixes Fall Below Five Per Cent
A string of rate rises during July saw the average two year fixed-rate mortgage peak at at 5.21 per cent but increased competition in the mortgage market has forced lenders to trim their lending rates.
However, borrowers looking to fix their repayments for a longer period are still facing higher costs - the average three year fixed-rate mortgage has increased over the last few months and stands at 5.58 per cent today.
Michelle Slade, spokesperson for Moneyfacts.co.uk, said: “Borrowers are finally starting to see more positive news coming out of the mortgage market.
“Falling rates on popular two year fixed-rate mortgages, occurring against a backdrop of lenders raising the maximum LTV on their most competitive deals suggests that competition is increasing.
“Lenders have become accustomed to the post banking collapse world and appear to finally be relaxing their credit criteria while remaining within a regulated frame work.
“Swap rates have been falling over the last few weeks, but mortgage rates on medium term deals are yet to follow suit.
“Borrowers will be hoping the easing of credit criteria continues and that lenders will start to reduce the large margin for risk they have been taking over the last year. While it may still be too early to say the worst is over, the signs are all there.”
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