May 6, 2026
The property market in Devon has never been straightforward for first-time buyers. Prices along the South West coast have consistently outpaced wages, and the competition from second-home buyers and remote workers has made securing a foot on the ladder feel increasingly out of reach. But 2026 has brought some significant changes — and if you’re hoping to buy your first home in Devon this year, it’s worth understanding exactly where you stand. What’s Changed with Stamp Duty? From April 2025, […]
April 27, 2026
The property market in Devon has never been straightforward for first-time buyers. Prices along the South West coast have consistently outpaced wages, and the competition from second-home buyers and remote workers has made securing a foot on the ladder feel increasingly out of reach. But 2026 has brought some significant changes, and if you’re hoping to buy your first home in Devon this year, it’s worth understanding exactly where you stand. What’s Changed with Stamp Duty? From April 2025, the […]
April 15, 2026
If your mortgage deal is coming to an end – or already has – you might be paying more than you need to. Remortgaging is the process of switching your mortgage to a new deal, either with your existing lender or a different one, and it’s something worth reviewing regularly. Here’s what you need to know. Why Do People Remortgage? The most common reason is that an initial deal – usually a fixed or tracker rate lasting two to five […]
March 18, 2026
Buying your first home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. It can feel overwhelming at first – there’s a lot of information out there, and it doesn’t always make things clearer. So here’s a straightforward guide to the mortgage process, written in plain English. What is a Mortgage? A mortgage is simply a loan used to buy a property. Because homes cost far more than most people have in savings, lenders – usually banks and building societies […]
February 25, 2026
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the mortgage market recently, you may have noticed something interesting. Lenders are competitive again. With rates settling and confidence slowly returning, banks and building societies are working hard to attract borrowers. That means new products, improved affordability calculations, and in some cases, more flexible criteria. On the surface, that sounds simple. More choice should mean better deals. But in reality, more choice can also mean more confusion. That’s where we come in. What […]
January 31, 2026
Your credit score is one of those things people often hear about, but don’t always fully understand. Yet it plays a big role when you’re applying for a mortgage, loan, credit card, or even a mobile phone contract. Simply put, your credit score helps lenders decide whether to lend to you, how much they’re prepared to offer, and what interest rate you’ll pay. The stronger your credit profile, the more choice you’re likely to have. At Riviera Mortgages, we see […]
December 1, 2025
When it comes to choosing a mortgage, it’s tempting to jump online, plug your numbers into a calculator and hope for the best. But while those tools can give you a rough idea, they’re no match for real, tailored advice. At Riviera Mortgages, we compare a wide range of mortgage lenders across the market, so you don’t have to. We look beyond headline rates to find options that actually fit you and your circumstances. We’re not tied to any one […]
August 14, 2025
When you’re applying for a mortgage, interest rates aren’t just numbers on a page — they’re what determine how much your monthly payments will be, and how much you’ll pay overall. At Riviera Mortgages, we understand how important it is to lock in the right rate — and to do it at the right time. That’s why one of the key ways we support you during the mortgage application process is by monitoring lender rates constantly. Our aim? To make […]
August 4, 2025
For years, many would-be homeowners have faced a frustrating hurdle: being able to pay rent but not qualifying for a mortgage. But in a welcome shift, several UK lenders are now increasing mortgage affordability for first-time buyers, helping more people take that crucial step onto the property ladder. And here at Riviera Mortgages, we think that’s a step in the right direction. What’s Changed? Lenders are adjusting their affordability models — that’s the formula they use to decide how […]
July 24, 2025
If you’ve recently watched the BBC Panorama exposé on estate agents, you may be feeling a bit wary about the homebuying process. The documentary uncovered unsettling “conditional selling” tactics, where buyers who agree to use in-house mortgage or conveyancing services are prioritised over others. This type of practice undermines fairness and transparency in the property market. That’s why using an independent mortgage broker isn’t just a perk – it’s essential. 📌 What the BBC Panorama Investigation Revealed Estate agents […]