Confidence through choice: helping borrowers move forward in a cautious market
Chris Thompson, Head of Sales, Market Harborough Building Society
When affordability is not the only barrier
In a market where the future path of interest rates remains uncertain, the challenge isn ' t always affordability, but confidence. Many borrowers who are financially well placed to remortgage, move home or buy a property are still approaching decisions with caution.
They ' re weighing up not only the rate available today, but what that decision could mean in 12, 24 or 48 months ' time. Waiting for perfect certainty can be tempting, but is there ever a perfect moment?
This is where advice becomes particularly valuable, helping clients make informed decisions when the market doesn ' t offer straightforward answers.
Helping clients move forward
Nobody can predict with certainty where interest rates will go next. While expectations may shift as economic and political conditions evolve, borrowers still need to make decisions based on their own circumstances today.
Fixed rates continue to dominate the UK mortgage market, but the conversation is becoming more nuanced. UK Finance data shows that around 85 % of outstanding residential mortgages were on fixed rates in 2025, and 1.8 million fixed rate deals are expected to come to an end in 2026. With the Bank of England Bank Rate being held at 3.75 %, more borrowers are weighing up certainty today against flexibility and value.
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