Swap rates show fall in borrowing costs

Swap rates show fall in borrowing costs

Recent political instability added to volatility in the financial markets and pushed up the cost of borrowing.

Swap rates are a good indicator of what to expect in borrowing costs because they reflect what borrowing costs for the lenders. 5-year swap rates rose to 5.6% after the mini budget but have since fallen back on the news of the Chancellor’s resignation and then again when the Prime Minister resigned.

Lower swap rates show financial market approval that the Truss Growth Plan was finally put to bed.

Overall, interest rates are definitely rising but recent volatility exaggerated the impact. Once the markets settle, there will be a clearer line of sight on interest rate expectations. Source: Dataloft, UK investing.com


Get our Newsletter

There's no getting around the fact that April has been an unusual month to try to read the property market. The ripple effects of the conflict in the Middle East — higher energy prices, inflation concerns, rising mortgage rates — have introduced a level of uncertainty that nobody was anticipating at the start of the year.

For tenants, April is a useful point to pause and plan. With rents still rising across the UK and the first phase of rental reform approaching in England, this is a good time to review your budget, renewal options and next move.

As we move through May 2026, buyers are seeing more homes come to market, but affordability still matters. Here is what today’s mix of greater choice, steady demand and higher mortgage costs means if you are planning a move.

More homes are competing for buyer attention, so sellers need more than a hopeful asking price. A smart launch, realistic valuation and strong presentation can help attract serious interest.