When Is the Right Time to Plan Your Remortgage?
Updated on: November 16, 2022, optimised for 2025 market conditions
One of the most common questions we receive from clients is: when is the right time to remortgage? The simple answer is that proactive preparation almost always pays off. In periods of economic volatility, as seen with shifts in the Bank of England base rate, being ahead of the market is especially critical. Over recent years rates have risen from historic lows, making foresight more valuable than ever.
Why Timing Matters When Considering a Remortgage
Your mortgage is often one of your largest financial commitments, and small changes in rates can result in significant differences in long-term costs. Acting early, rather than waiting until the last moment, ensures you secure favourable terms and avoid being moved onto your lender’s high Standard Variable Rate (SVR).
- Market volatility: Mortgage rates fluctuate weekly. Some lenders restrict or withdraw products with little notice, making timing crucial.
- Application process: Arranging a remortgage can take up to six months. Planning now prevents delays and unexpected costs.
- Comparison advantage: It is wise to compare your current fixed deal with today’s leading rates, even if your product term still has months left.
- Early repayment charges: These vary by lender. Skilled brokers balance charges against potential savings to decide if acting prematurely benefits you.
The strategic move? Start preparing six months before the end of your fixed-rate term. That window usually offers maximum flexibility, allowing you to explore the market without pressure.
Is Now the Right Time to Remortgage?
The right time to remortgage depends on your unique circumstances, but there are consistent signals that suggest acting early is wise:
- You are close to the end of a fixed-rate product.
- You are currently on or approaching a variable rate.
- You are concerned about further Bank of England base rate rises.
- Your long-term goal includes releasing equity, refinancing, or expanding property portfolios.
Even during calmer market cycles, opportunities exist to switch to better terms. By engaging with a broker early, you avoid reactive decisions and retain control over your financial trajectory.
How Articus Finance Creates an Advantage
Clients sometimes ask: why use a broker in an age when comparison sites exist? The answer lies in market access and negotiation power. Articus Finance brokers work with more than 500 lenders and private banks, many offering products unavailable to the open market. We do not represent banks—we represent you.
Our London-based team delivers a discreet and comprehensive service:
- A free consultation followed by a decision in principle within 24 hours.
- Complete application support—streamlined, efficient, and with minimal disruption during your working schedule.
- Access to bespoke solutions from major lenders through to private institutions.
- Specialised expertise in international remortgaging, including expatriate mortgages and foreign national mortgages.
- Strategies tailored for complex situations such as self-employed income structures or large loan refinancing.
The result is a stronger likelihood of approval on competitive terms—without wasted time or money.
How Early Preparation Protects Wealth
Being unprepared to remortgage often forces borrowers onto costly SVRs, where repayment rates can rise steeply with little warning. For high net worth individuals and international investors, that scenario not only erodes returns but can compromise wider wealth planning strategies.
By planning six months early:
- You lock in rates before potential hikes.
- You minimise exposure to withdrawn products.
- You ensure your broker has time to negotiate with multiple institutions.
- You retain freedom to compare against international lenders or niche products if needed.
When your property portfolio or business objectives are global, flexibility matters. Precision planning ensures that property finance aligns with your wealth structure, not against it.
Why the Right Time to Remortgage Is Sooner Than You Think
Waiting often means limiting your choices. The right time to remortgage is rarely the exact end date of your current product—it is earlier. Being proactive is not only about avoiding penalties. For many clients, it is an opportunity to increase loan-to-value efficiency, release equity, or secure long-term stability.
Articus Finance specialises in structuring these outcomes, ensuring that decisions around remortgaging integrate seamlessly with your investment or personal financial goals.
Proven Expertise: How Articus Delivers Results
Our brokers collectively have over 20 years of experience securing competitive remortgage deals across high-value UK and international markets. Whether navigating private banking channels, arranging finance for expatriates, or restructuring complex wealth portfolios, our approach ensures precision and discretion.
To explore how similar strategies have worked for other clients, visit our remortgage case studies.
Final Thoughts
The right time to remortgage is earlier than many assume. By planning six months in advance and working with a trusted broker, you avoid unnecessary risk while maximising available opportunities. At Articus Finance, we provide whole-of-market access, bespoke strategies, and dedicated support to ensure your remortgage strengthens your financial position.