Remortgage applications up 46% in Q1 as 1.8m fixed deals mature in 2026
Remortgage applications jumped 46% in Q1 compared with the same period last year, according to broker network Stonebridge. House purchase applications dipped 3.6%. UK Finance expects 1.8 million fixed-rate deals to end in 2026, which is why remortgaging has taken over activity. Two-year fixes have overtaken five-year fixes in popularity, with borrowers betting that rates will fall further rather than locking in for longer.
What this means for…
Buyers· 2/3
Sellers· 1/3
Wider market· 2/3
Each axis scored 1 (minor) to 3 (major). Total 5/9.
More Demand commentary
19 Oct 2026 · Impact 7/9
New-seller asking prices rise 1% in October to £371,015, but sales agreed are 8% below last year, Rightmove finds
19 Oct 2026 · Impact 7/9
Asking prices rise 1.0% to £371,015 in October but are flat on a year ago as the average two-year fix climbs to 5.55%, Rightmove finds
15 Oct 2026 · Impact 6/9
Half of two- and three-bed houses for sale are now affordable on an average income, Zoopla finds, but sales agreed are 9% below last year
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