What the recent Capital Gains Tax change means to you as a landlord

If you’ve been a landlord for a while, your tax burden has likely risen in recent years. Since 2020, landlords haven’t been allowed to deduct their mortgage costs from their

How a professional can help you secure a great mortgage deal in an “unfair” market

If you’ve ever found something you want to buy online, only to realise that it has sold out by the time you reach the checkout, you will know how frustrating

All the winners and losers from the 2024 Spring Budget

With one eye on a forthcoming general election, the chancellor has announced a Budget aimed at generating long-term growth, with “more investment, more jobs, better public services and lower taxes”.

Your Spring Budget update – the key news from the chancellor’s statement

The 2024/25 tax year is just a month away, and chancellor Jeremy Hunt has delivered his 2024 Spring Budget, outlining the government’s plans for the next fiscal year and beyond.

10 strange things that could affect the value of your home

You’ve likely heard of properties selling for over the odds because of their proximity to a high-performing school or a well-positioned bus stop.  But did you know that houses with

What is a “Dutch-style” mortgage, and could it be right for you?

From the invention of gin to the introduction of the CD and DVD, the Netherlands has made numerous contributions to civilisation in art, science, technology, and engineering. Over the centuries,

Guide: 10 things you can learn about your financial plan from these ABBA hits

In April 1974, a Swedish foursome took to the stage at the Eurovision Song Contest. Performing eighth on the night, ABBA introduced themselves to a global audience, romping to victory

5 clever reasons to avoid TikTok for mortgage advice

Between 2018 and 2022, TikTok attracted an average of 340 million new active members each year. The social media giant has become one of the biggest video-sharing platforms in the

Refer a friend and you could earn a gift voucher and help a great cause

Have you benefited from great advice from Altura? Maybe we’ve helped you buy a home or arranged a remortgage on your current home? Or, perhaps we’ve arranged great terms on

Guide: Everything you need to know about annuities when creating a retirement income

When you retire, you will often have a range of choices available to you about how you access your pension. One such method is an annuity, which could provide you

2-, 5-, or 10-year fixed rate? Here is everything you need to know before you decide

In recent years, fixed-rate mortgages have been overwhelmingly popular with borrowers. Indeed, the Office for National Statistics reports that 86% of UK mortgages are being repaid on fixed rates of

5 practical things to do if your fixed-rate mortgage is ending

If your fixed-rate mortgage deal is ending shortly, you’re not alone. Figures reported by the Guardian show that more than 2.4 million fixed-rate homeowner deals are set to expire between

What will happen to interest rates and house prices in 2024?

Over the last couple of years, inflation and interest rates have never been far from the headlines. To tackle double-digit inflation, the Bank of England (BoE) has raised interest rates

2023 at Altura – here’s your review of the year

2023 has been one of the most challenging years the industry has faced. The fallout from the ill-dated Liz Truss mini-Budget, soaring interest rates, and ongoing wars in Europe and

The guide to using equity release to unlock property wealth later in life

Your home may be one of the largest assets you have. With property wealth often inaccessible, you may be considering using equity release to unlock some of the money tied

5 practical ways to get a better deal when buying a property

Buying a property is likely to be the biggest financial commitment you make in your life, so you want to be sure that you’re getting the very best deal that