Where we are today
For the first time in roughly two years, the UK property market is no longer pulling crew investors in opposite directions. Mortgage rates have come back down toward 4%, average asking prices in the regions we work in are off their 2024 peaks, and lenders who’d quietly tightened crew criteria are open for business again.
None of which means it’s a 2020-style boom. But for crew who’ve been waiting for the noise to die down, the signal is clearer than it’s been for a while.
Three things shifting at once
- Rates. Five-year fixes for buy-to-let are widely available below 5% and falling. Two-year tracker products are competitive again.
- Stock. Estate agents we speak with weekly report stock back to pre-2022 levels in the East and West Midlands.
- Lender appetite. Two specialist lenders we work with have relaxed their requirements for crew applicants paid offshore — and one new lender entered the market in March.
What we’re actually watching
We track three data points to call timing for our members:
- Five-year swap rates (which lead mortgage product changes by roughly 4–6 weeks).
- Asking-to-sold price spread (when this widens, sellers are negotiating).
- RICS surveyor sentiment for the regions we recommend.
Right now, two of three are flashing green. The third — surveyor sentiment in the South East — is still neutral.
If you’re considering a purchase
You don’t need to rush. The thing that does help is being ready: agreement in principle, deposit in the right account, and an understanding of where you’d actually want to buy. We can sort the first two in a single call.
Caveats
None of the above is regulated financial advice. Mortgage products change weekly. Your residency and tax position will affect what you qualify for. Book a call if you’d like a specific view on your situation.
