Cobalt Capital - Monty's Mortgage Blog

Andrew Montlake, Cobalt partner and ‘Mortgage Personality of the Year 2008’, gives his views — honest and no holds barred — on the latest developments within the mortgage and property markets.

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05.09.08

End of The World on Wednesday ?

As it’s Friday I thought I would leave all talk of credit crunch and mortgages aside for a while, or maybe permanently as according to some it all won’t matter very much after Wednesday !

04.09.08

Bank of England Base Rate held at 5%

Once again the Bank of England has shown caution, a reluctance to make the rate cut that is urgently needed because of its strict remit to control inflation.

03.09.08

Homebuy Direct Scheme

Having had more time to peruse the governments proposals for the housing market yesterday there has been much discussion particularly about the Homebuy Direct Scheme and it does not quite add up.

02.09.08

Stamp Duty Changes - More Work Needed

My alarm went off at 4.30 am this morning as I ambled bleary eyed to the BBC 5 live studios in Bristol for a crack of dawn comment on the Governments latest “fightback” proposals for the housing market.

01.09.08

Mortgage Pressure Builds

Pressure intensified today on our poor chancellor after he made some interesting comments about the state of the economic environment.

29.08.08

Call For Interest Rate Cut

In an interesting and rather provocative move, arch Dove member of the Monetary Policy Committee Professor David Blanchflower has broken ranks and called for a rate cut, right now and in a big way.

28.08.08

Mortgage Porn

Our dear Knightsbridge Sales Manager Roy Hardy sent me a copy of an email yesterday to a client which shows the vast change in mortgage rates from even a month ago. To brokers this is the equivalent of Mortgage Porn, you just gotta love it !

27.08.08

The London Mortgage Broker Bubble

As a London Mortgage Broker it is sometimes difficult to look at the country as whole and take our heads out of the “London Bubble”.

26.08.08

Competitive Mortgages From The Council ?

In a blaze of fireworks and intricate dancing the Olympic spectacle came to a close, but not before we saw Mr Beckham and a red London bus ! Although many will no doubt be a bit perturbed about a return to the mundane, it is important we all build on the good feeling Team GB have left us with.

22.08.08