What’s the story? Property Market headlines – May 2026.

The property market in May has been defined by a clear tension.

Borrowers are feeling the impact of higher rates, first-time buyers are navigating affordability challenges, and yet activity hasn’t stalled. Instead, it’s shifting.

Through our latest media coverage, we’ve been part of that conversation — offering insight across refinancing, borrower behaviour, access to the ladder, and investor activity.

So, what’s the story behind the headlines?

A refinancing wave is building

More than 255,000 five-year fixed rate mortgages are ending: what will your next deal cost?

First seen in Which?

With over a quarter of a million homeowners expected to come off five-year fixed deals in June alone, it’s shaping up to be one of the busiest months of the year for mortgage activity.

But, for many borrowers, the rate environment has shifted significantly over the last five years, with an average five-year fixed-rate almost doubling from 2.79% in May 2021 to 5.67% in May 2026.

These higher rates mean some homeowners could find themselves paying more than £100 extra per month.

In the article, Together’s research highlights how this spike in activity is putting pressure on both borrowers and lenders, and why more customers are choosing to act early rather than drift onto higher rates.

What it signals:
While the pressure is definitely real, borrowers aren’t standing still, choosing to act early to avoid delays caused by demand and to lock in rates to guard against any future rate increases.

Small actions are becoming big financial decisions

From tracker to mixed mortgages, which deal is right for you?

In this higher-rate environment, homeowners are looking for effective and manageable ways to reduce their long-term mortgage debt.

As part of her article on tracker vs mixed mortgages, we spoke with Consumer Reporter Emily Mee about the benefits that overpayment, lump sums and incremental increase to monthly repayments can make, helping borrowers peck away at their principal and, ultimately, cut years and potentially thousands of pounds off their mortgages.

Homeowners can typically make overpayments of between 5% and 10% per year, depending on the lender, without incurring any additional charges.

What it signals:
Cash-conscious customers are thinking about the long-term, and making small, affordable and controlled choices now that compound over time to save, saving them in the long-term.

Getting on the ladder still requires flexibility

Shared ownership remains viable route onto property ladder for FTBs

For first-time buyers, accessibility remains one of the biggest challenges in the market, and they may need to start looking at alternative routes to home ownership.

In the article, Ryan Etchells, Together’s Chief Commercial Officer, explains how Shared Ownership could help those struggling with putting together a large deposit as it allows them to buy a percentage of the property now with the ability to ‘staircase’ to full ownership over time.

Ryan also points to other routes including the Right to Buy scheme, auction purchases or pooling resources with friends or family to buy together.

What it signals:
The ambition to own hasn’t gone away, but the routes to get a foot on the ladder are becoming more flexible and less traditional.

BTL investors are still buying despite Renters’ Rights Act worries

£3.8m bridging loan funds purchase of 40-property rental portfolio

Together worked with broker Capital B Property Finance to complete a £3.8m bridging deal in just 12 days, supporting a well-established landlord company as they looked to expand their portfolio at auction.

An experienced investor with over 25 years in the property sector and an existing portfolio of over 110 properties, the borrower needed finance that was flexible enough to complete 40 separate auction transactions and could deal with layered complexity. This included a newly incorporated SPV structure set up to acquire the portfolio, limited access to condition reports and letting information, and the tight auction deadlines.

What it signals:
Andy Neo, Key Account Manager at Together, explained that the case “demonstrates that experienced portfolio landlords continue to invest significant sums in the private rental sector despite the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act. They still see a strong opportunity in rental property and are willing to commit capital to acquire new stock.”

Read our case study to find out how we got the deal done despite the deadlines and complexity.

So, what’s the story?

As always, it was the pressures of the market that hit the headlines, from the remortgage cliff many brokers, lenders and customers are already experiencing, to the age-old struggle of first-time buyers trying to make their homeownership dreams a reality.

But, underneath the tension, including the roll-out of the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act, the actual story is one of proactivity, flexibility and positive movement. Borrowers are looking at alternative ways to get on the ladder and cut long-term mortgage costs. Investors aren’t being put off by new regulations, accessing multi-million-pound finance when an opportunity arises.

Want to be part of the conversation? Speak to our team to see how we can support your next move — whether that’s buying your own home, funding improvements, or investing in your next opportunity.