It looks as though spring is finally here... the daffodils are out, Tesco is stocking up on Easter eggs and bridging lenders are hatching up with their new rates and deals every week. UTB, Cheval, West One and at least two other leading market leaders have brought out lower fees on higher LTVs, along with greater earnings potential for brokers... a sure sign that bridging (or short-term finance as some prefer to call it) is becoming a more competitive funding option for a large proportion of borrowers.
With so many great offers out there at the moment, brokers seem to be spoiled for choice and unsure who their favourite lender is. In the last two weeks I’ve seen the top spot on our ‘Who is your preferred bridging lender’ poll change hands several times. At the moment West One are in the lead with Cheval and Drawbridge not far behind. LMC are also gaining momentum, having climbed at least 5 positions in two weeks. The poll will only stay open for a further 17 days so if you haven’t voted already, now is the time to do so!...click here.
On a less positive note, last week CIFAs released a report which showed that mortgage fraud increased by 18 per cent in 2010, with 69 per cent of those cases having been introduced by brokers. With new rates attracting a wider scope of brokers, intermediaries and lenders alike will need to be alert to possible fraudulent applications.
They also need to be aware that ‘good news isn’t always good news’. In his latest blog, Jonathan Samuels explains that some figures which appear to be positive, such as increasing house prices, may be deceptive. You can read more of what Samuels Says
here.
In the upcoming weeks we will be announcing the official theme for this year’s Bridging and Commercial awards. I’ve been sworn to secrecy for now but I can assure you that this year’s gathering at the Tower of London is set to be the most glamorous event of the year.
And as always, even though there is certainly no shortage of breaking news pieces in the Bridging and Commercial world, I’m always happy to receive your updates. Feel free to email me at [email protected] with any whispers you hear on the market, any impressive deals you put through or any other interesting tales.
By Katie-Jill Rowland
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