Mortgage rates on the rise

Mortgage rates have increased around the UK over the last three months, Mortgage Brain’s quarterly product data analysis has revealed.

The analysis is calculated by comparing the lowest rate when purchasing property for £180,000.

The figures, which are up to date from 1 July 2014, show that interest rates on 5-year fixed rate products at 60% LTV have increased by 18% over the past three months from 2.35% to 2.78%.

At 60% LTV 3-year fixed rate products increased by 12% since April from 2.14% to 2.99%, yet 2-year fixed products decreased from 2.49% in April to 2.19%.

The rate on 2-year trackers at 60% LTV at remained level over the past three months at 1.49%, yet 5-year trackers saw rates rise 13% in June to 3.39%.

The gap between product rates at different LTV bands is widening, as the lowest 2-year fixed rate stands at 2.99%, 90% higher than the lowest rate product with a 60% LTV, which stands at 1.58%.

For 2-year trackers between 60% and 90% LTV the rate difference is 67%, with the lowest rates currently standing at 1.49% compared to 2.49%.

Mark Lofthouse, chief executive officer of Mortgage Brain, said: “While borrowers have benefitted from significant rate drops over the last 12 months, there are early signs that the market could be on the turn, especially within the three and five year term purchase schemes.

“For some time now the BoE has been hinting at a rate rise in 2015, and while it’s perhaps a little early to really see what effect the Mortgage Market Review is having on mortgage rates, we are starting to see ripples across the market.

“The next few months could prove quite interesting as things become clearer.”

A number of 2-year mortgages were cheaper during the second quarter of 2014, as 2-year fixed rates at 90% saw rates drop by 13% from 3.45% to 2.99% since April 2014.

The same product at 60% LTV meanwhile saw a modest 7% rise from 1.48% to 1.58%.

Interest rates on Buy-to-let products performed the best over the past three months, as out of the 18 products analysed only two 2-year and 3-year trackers at 60% LTV saw a rate rise.

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