Tracker mortgages still offer the best value

09/07/2010
by Rachael Stiles
Tracker mortgages still offer the best value

So the base rate didn't change yesterday, for the sixteenth month in a row. Shocker. With the exception of a few rogue economists, the general consensus is that interest rates will stick at 0.5 per cent for the rest of the year, so it's almost surprising that the Bank of England even bothers to issue a press release about the outcome of the Monetary Policy Committee's monthly meeting for the time being.

If you foresaw interest rates languishing at these record low levels for a prolonged period of time, and chose a tracker mortgage accordingly – congratulations! You're in the money. By now, you have saved £100s in interest payments,

Mortgages that track the base rate continue to offer the best value over fixed rate mortgages, and even when the base rate does inevitably start to rise, it would have to increase by a considerable level for a fixed rate to offer a better deal.

The cheapest two year fixed rate mortgage deal is currently a 4.80 per cent deal from Yorkshire Building Society, compared to 2.45 per cent for a tracker mortgage from ING Direct.*

At 2.04 per cent above the base rate, the Bank of England would have to increase interest rates to around three per cent before this mortgage was charging a similar rate to the best deals offered by the fixed rate market. And, experts predict that when rates do start to rise, it will be a slow process, unlike when it plummeted from five per cent to 0.5 per cent in just six months.

Not everyone is in a position to take a chance on a tracker rate. If you've got a tight budget, without any room for a rise in your monthly outgoings, then a fixed rate mortgage offers the security you're looking for. Two year fixed rates are still bad value for money compared to tracker rates, but the gap has between trackers and longer term deals like 5 or 10 year fixes has narrowed.

While inflation remains above target and there is ongoing potential for further turmoil in the Eurozone, increasing the base rate would be premature, but this didn't stop one member of MPC from voting for a rise last month. It will be interesting to see whether any more members broke rank and said the same, when the minutes for this month's meeting are released.

* Based on 75% loan to value, according to data from Moneyfacts.co.uk
 
Initial RateProviderTermTypeAPR*LTV 
3.89%
2 Years2 Year Tracker Buy-to-Let4.70%75%More Info >
£1,999 product fee.
Call 0800 1582934 to speak to a NatWest mortgage specialist.
3.89%
2 Years2 Year Tracker Buy-to-Let4.70%75%More Info >
£1,999 product fee.
Call 0800 068 7624 to speak to an RBS mortgage specialist.
3.98%
2 Years2 Year Fixed Rate Buy to Let5.10%60%More Info >
£3,999 Product fee. Minimum loan £125k Maximum loan £250k. Other terms available.
Call 0845 0701720 to speak to a Woolwich mortgage specialist.
3.99%
Life of the mortgageLifetime Tracker Buy to Let4.30%60%More Info >
£2,499 Product fee. Minimum loan £125,000 Maximum loan £250,000. Other terms available.
Call 0845 0701720 to speak to a Woolwich mortgage specialist.
4.39%
2 Years2 Year Fixed Buy-to-Let4.80%75%More Info >
£1,999 Product fee.
Call 0800 1582934 to speak to a NatWest mortgage specialist.
4.39%
2 Years2 Year Fixed4.80%75%More Info >
Buy-to-let. £1,999 product fee.
Call 0800 068 7624 to speak to an RBS mortgage specialist.
5.29%
2 Years2 Year Fixed Rate Buy to Let5.40%75%More Info >
£2,499 Product fee. Minimum loan £125k Maximum loan £250k. Other terms available.
Call 0845 0701720 to speak to a Woolwich mortgage specialist.
*APR = Overall Cost for Comparison

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.

The above mortgage products are a selection of deals available directly through lenders who will be able to provide further information about the product you are interested in. If you are unsure about what mortgage product is suitable for you, we suggest you speak to an independent mortgage broker