Nearly 30% of remortgagors now believe interest rates are going up, according to findings from LMS.
Its latest customer survey has found that the number of remortgagors who anticipate rate rises has increased significantly in the last six months, from 16% in February to 28% in August; and 6% up from July’s 22%.
Meanwhile, only 2% of remortgagors believe interest rates will decrease, a fall of 2% from 4% in July.
LMS said the assumption that interest rates will rise is driving remortgage activity among borrowers keen to take advantage of record-low rates before a hike, with lending up 20% year-on-year in August to £4.2bn.
Almost two in three people remortgaging in August did so to take advantage of lower mortgage rates. 37% of borrowers took advantage of low mortgage rates to reduce their monthly payments by up to £500, with 4% reducing monthly payments by more than £500.
Just 3% of remortgagors were incentivised to stay by their lenders, while 76% opted to switch.
Remortgagors also withdrew record amounts of cash from their homes in August, with 30% seeking to increase the size of their loan. More than a fifth increased the size of their loan by more than £20,000.
Of those increasing the size of their loan, 28% chose to remortgage to spend on home improvements, while 60% chose to pay off debts. A small percentage also used the additional cash to help a child buy a property.
“Competitive offers and the threat of a base rate rise continues to drive remortgaging activity as winter approaches, even though an increase before the end of the year now appears unlikely,” said Andy Knee, chief executive of LMS.
“That said, it is better for borrowers to take the necessary measures in good time rather than be caught off guard when rates do rise. Consumers are certainly abreast of base rate speculation as it becomes am increasingly common topic of discussion. It remains worrying that we have a new generation of borrowers who have not experienced anything other than record-low rate mortgages who may be ill-placed to adjust when rates do rise, but hopefully the affordability requirements within the Mortgage Market Review will lessen this impact.
“This is all the more reason for potential remortgagors to take charge of their finances before any increase burns a hole in their pockets, and explore the myriad of competitive deals available in the market before they’re withdrawn by lenders.”
