Lee Chiswell, head of mortgages at Barclays UK, takes a look back at Q1 and explores what Q2 has in store for an increasingly buoyant remortgage market.

Affordability rates have been cut for residential purchase and remortgage applications.

The lender has launched new sub-4% fixed rates in its residential, remortgage, green home and existing customer ranges.

The pace of mortgage and rent spending growth slowed in April amidst widespread rate reductions from lenders.

Barclays has introduced sub-4% two-year fixed rates at 75% LTV.

Today, Barclays has cut residential mortgage rates by up to 0.38%, with several products now below 4%.

The Bank says it wants to make home ownership more affordable for first-time buyers and existing homeowners. 

The lender has increased two five-year fixed rates at 60% LTV.

Wager joins the broker after more than 28 years with Barclays.

Rates have reduced by up to 0.25%.