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20 years ago, the word re-mortgage was one that was rarely uttered, especially amongst friends and family. There is no definitive reason as to why the act of re-mortgaging was considered so taboo, although the fact that equity margins were relatively thin back then, may have had something to do with it.

However, in today’s modern society the act of re-mortgaging has become extremely common amongst British homeowners. A recent study has discovered that re-mortgaging, or more specifically equity release is extremely popular with later generations especially senior citizens.

It has been suggested that older generations who have profited substantially from house price rises over the last 10-15 years, are using their accumulated funds to enjoy a lifestyle that was not available to them in their younger years.

It has also been noted that fewer and fewer people are considering leaving their homes to their children when they pass away. Over the last decade or so, substantial housing market growth has seriously altered the fortunes of a great many people. The housing market has essentially created an age where over 55% of the populous can be described as asset rich, and is spurring the vast majority to take advantage of their situation.

However, some experts have aired a word of caution to people jumping on the equity release band-wagon and have suggested that if the market were to suddenly change, causing a negative shift in home values certain homeowners may be hard hit.

A UK based mortgage lender may have finally given downhearted first time buyers something to smile about… if geographic location permits that is.

According to a recent property study by the Halifax, there are still certain parts of Britain, which can offer affordable housing opportunities to first time buyers.

Using market data specific to house prices and then profiled against national life quality charts, the lender has managed to ascertain a definitive guide to sourcing the best value homes as defined by area, style and type.

As an example, first time buyer’s who are looking to buy a flat but are limited to a budget of £140,000, would be best advised to isolate their hunting to Buckinghamshire. However, buyers who would better prefer a terraced or semi detached home would get far more home for their money, if their search was confined to area’s within Suffolk and Lincolnshire respectively.

Although there are quite obviously restrictions namely with location, what the report does suggest is that good value property does still exist. If first time buyers are willing and/or can extend their search further a field or are simply more thorough, the chances of finding affordable property is greatly increased.

If one of your life long hopes is to eventually get married, but you haven’t considered the financial implications of the big day, it may be wise to start giving it some serious thought.

It is suggested that an average wedding in today’s modern society, is likely to fetch a price tag of somewhere within the region of £10-15,000 pounds. New research reveals that cost’s associated to the big day will prove to be a burden for the happy couple, for approximately 10 years into their married life.

Surprisingly, 1 out of every 3 marriages is funded almost entirely by the bride and groom. Today’s young couples will use a mixture of savings and financial gifts from relatives to fund a small proportion of the wedding, with the remainder coming in the form of a personal loan (which is where the problems begin).

A spokesperson for one of the UK’s largest wedding coordination firms, has advised any couple’s who are actively planning a wedding, to save as much as possible. The firm has also advised that thorough planning and budgeting will also shave a considerable sum from the final bill.

However, it is taken as a given that the majority of couples will have to source a certain amount of credit, in order for their wedding to take place. For those people who have no other choice than to use a personal loan, it is advisable to be through with your search in order to attain the best possible deal. Usually, the couples who are worse affected by wedding debt will be those who agreed to the first offer they were given…which typically is never the better deal.

In almost 90% of all cases, a house will be the most valuable asset that the average person will possess in their lifetime. Buying a home is supposedly one of the biggest life motivators for any person, and the loan associated to purchasing a home is also one of the biggest (if not the biggest) financial commitments.

Over the last decade or so, Brits have become somewhat obsessed with the property market, or more specifically the property ladder and finding the most effective way to scale it.

New research by one of the countries leading home loan providers has discovered that over ¼ of all homeowners expect to sell their home, within four years of purchasing it. The study appears to suggest that homeowners are relying on continued market strength to boost the available equity within their property over a sustained period, allowing them to upgrade to bigger, more valuable homes in a continuing cycle. The trend is also noted to be most prevalent amongst younger people.

However, the housing market is rapidly changing. Rising interest rates, coupled with heavy market saturation are starting to take their toll. Each year, for the last 10 years house prices have rose by around 15-25%. This growth has allowed many property savvy Brits to substantially upgrade the scale of their homes, in a relatively short amount of time.

The first 6 months of 2007 noted the smallest national property value increase for years, causing experts to speculate that prices may soon start to come down. The average house is now valued in excess of £200,000 which has caused literally thousands of first time buyers to either rent or join shared ownership schemes.

No one knows for sure how the housing market will progress, but many agree that the vast equity gains that have been enjoyed may soon be a thing of the past.

Do banks have the right to burn the fingers of their customers, in order to teach them valuable life lessons? One bank believes it does.

A recent announcement by one of the UK’s leading banking institutions has sent shock waves through the student community. The HSBC has revealed that it intends to abolish interest free overdraft facilities for graduates, opting to replace them with a standard 9.9 percent interest variant.

Of course, many customers of the HSBC will not be to pleased with the proposed change, especially when you consider the organisations reasoning for the move. According to a spokesperson for the firm, the primary reason for the change was bourn not out of financial gain, but more out of concern for their customers approach to their finances.

The bank believes that by tagging interest to overdraft facilities, post students will be encouraged to adopt a more proactive attitude towards their finances, which in turn will better prepare them for the world of work. The firm has stated, that the most effective way to learn to manage your finances is to understand what to expect from the beginning.

Although the theory is logical, some students have criticised the move stating that graduates rely on such facilities whilst learning to balance their credit. It is also noted that few graduates land their ideal job within the first 18 months of graduation and hop between low paid jobs in the interim.

The bank has also announced that the new scheme is scheduled to go live within the next few months, and will completely replace the current system. If you have any further questions or queries relating to your overdraft facility, you are advised to contact your local HSBC branch.