# Lenders expect mortgage availability to increase in early 2026 – survey

By Aneisha Beveridge — 2026-01-15

Aneisha Beveridge, research director at Hamptons and Connells Group, said: “Unlike during the 2008 financial crash and Covid, mortgage availability hasn’t really been the sticking point for the housing market in recent years – it’s rates that matter most.

“With financial markets now pricing in a 90 per cent chance of two quarter-point cuts by the Bank of England this year, expectations are shifting.

“That should pave the way for more lenders to offer sub-3.5 per cent deals for those with the biggest deposits.

“There’s also scope for rates to edge down on higher LTV products, which are crucial for first-time buyers – a group that made up a record third of all purchases last year.

“Recent adjustments allowing more high loan-to-income and high LTV lending have been key for this segment, particularly for those buying solo or stretching to afford pricier homes.

“Looking ahead, mortgage rates moving back below 3.5 per cent is one of those psychological markers that many movers have been waiting for – and should help support demand and activity as we head into early 2026.”

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