Forget Black Friday: Why Winter’s the Perfect Time to Make Meaningful Long-Term Savings

November is officially in meteorological autumn, but it really doesn’t feel like it, does it? The cold, short days and winter weather impact our daily routines and bigger decisions, so in this blog, we’re looking at winter moving, mortgage and insurance advice. Winter is the UK's least popular season for moving home, however if you’re prepared to face it, you could benefit in several ways: from being able to negotiate a good purchase price to quicker responses from conveyancers and solicitors, even reduced rates from removal firms. And of course, life often ensures we don’t always have the luxury of picking our perfect moving season.

Making Aspect Even More Accessible

At Aspect, we never go into winter hibernation! With plenty of you moving, finding that landmark first home, managing a buy-to-let portfolio, downsizing or releasing capital from your home, we never stop researching the best products on the market for your individual situation. While summer may be the time to “make hay”, winter is the perfect time to review your financial commitments and protection, more details later.

As the temperature drops, we’re really feeling the benefit of our recent office renovations, insulation and efficient heating installation. While operating from Land’s End to John O’Groats, we’re very proud to be based in our home town of Chorley, with a real High Street presence. Our “open door” policy might not be literal at this time of year (no escaping heat here!), but turn the handle and you’re guaranteed a warm welcome. Similarly, if coordinating by phone, online or meeting elsewhere works for you, you’ll get just the same attention from your personal advisor.

You may have noticed we’ve also revamped our website; aiming to reflect not just the wide spread of services we offer, but our truly independent and personalised Aspect commitment and approach. If you’ve got five minutes, do have a click about, you may be surprised by how much we can do! Let us know what you think.

No to Black Friday, Yes to Meaningful Long-Term Savings

Talking of High Street shopping, are we falling out of love with the increasingly online behemoth of “Black Friday”? Figures indicate so, with consumers put off by the overwhelming promotion starting weeks in advance, negating its original single-day event impact, to a growing awareness that most of the “deals” clogging up your feeds are for unnecessary items at fairly spurious reductions. Unsurprisingly, at Aspect, we are huge champions of our local High Street and fellow independent businesses; face-to-face connection and personal service. We’re already picking up great Christmas present ideas in Ebb and Flo, our lovely neighbourhood independent bookshop. We’re proud to support Totally Locally Chorley <link: www.facebook.com/totallylocallychorley/>, an award-winning social enterprise of independent businesses working together to support vibrant community spirit in our special Northern town; if you’re not lucky enough to live here, find more in your area here: <link: https://totallylocally.org/>

As we said, winter can be a great time to review your finances, especially your mortgage, one of the longest-term investments most of us will make. For example:

Could you overpay your monthly repayments? If you can: Yes! Every little really could save you significant money and shorten your term.

Is it time to consider remortgaging? If you’re out of any initial fixed period: Yes! The mortgage market is a competitive one with new deals all the time; it invariably pays to shop around. And as independent advisors, we’re not trying to “sell”- if you’re better off where you are, we will always tell you that, too.

As the cold begins to bite, could you benefit from a green mortgage? If you have the capacity to upgrade the energy efficiency of your home: Yes! See our green mortgage blog <link: https://aspectmortgages.co.uk/post/green-mortgages > to find out how.

Looks like it’s time for our Aspect lunchtime leg-stretch, and maybe a pop into the Old Stables Vintage Tea Shop! Wishing you a great, safe November; we’ll be back with our review of the much-anticipated upcoming budget, keep an eye on our Facebook for the very latest news and tips. For homemoves, personalised mortgage reviews, insurance advice or more, don’t hesitate to call us for friendly, experienced service on 01257 812345, drop us an email [email protected], or, of course, pop in- the coffee’s always on!

Best wishes, Rachel, Richard and all at Aspect Mortgages