Average two-year mortgage rate dips below 6% for first time in nearly six months

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The average two-year fixed-rate homeowner mortgage is sitting below 6% for the first time in nearly six months.

Across all deposit sizes, the average two-year fixed-rate homeowner mortgage on the market dipped to 5.99% on Friday, falling from 6.01% on Thursday, according to Moneyfactscompare.co.uk.

The last time this rate was below 6% was on June 16, when it was 5.98%.

The peak for two-year fixed products this year was reached on July 26, when the average rate hit 6.86%.

Lenders have been chopping their fixed rates amid signs that inflation is easing.

James Hyde, spokesperson at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk,  said: “The average two-year fixed rate has dipped below 6%, for the first time since mid-June this year.

“Having peaked at 6.86% in late July, rates have been gently falling since early August due a combination of factors including falling inflation, base rate pauses, and reductions in swap rates (which lenders use to price fixed-rate mortgages).

“In recent weeks, a number of lenders have again begun to offer sub-5% two-year fixed deals; with lowest rates available UK-wide sitting around 4.75% at present.

“It remains to be seen if the recent rate reductions will continue, as any further rises in inflation, base rate, or swap rates may lead to a reversal.”

The average five-year fixed homeowner mortgage rate on the market eased downwards to 5.60% on Friday, from an average rate of 5.61% on Thursday.

Moneyfacts also counted 5,766 homeowner mortgage products available, up from 5,764 on Thursday.