We have lived in Leyton for six years, but before that, we both lived in East London, moving around between Dalston, Hackney, and Walthamstow...

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I moved to London in 2007 after finishing university. I have friends who went to university in London and always lived in East London, so it's the part of the city that I am most familiar with, and I was drawn to living there as soon as I decided to move to London.

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I love everything about East London. It has absolutely everything you would need as a young adult, and it's constantly changing, with a real buzz about it. There are so many opportunities to enjoy delicious food and drink or a night out or two. Since having kids, my love for this pocket of London has continued differently.

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There are so many like-minded young families and so much to do. The Young V&A has just opened again in Bethnal Green, which is one of our favourites, and there are multiple parks and green spaces for little ones to explore.

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I am a Director at Anderson Harris, where we offer mortgage advice and personal protection services...

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Having been with the company for ten years, I've witnessed its growth and transformation into the successful business it is today, which we are incredibly proud of. We cater to a diverse client base, spanning from first-time home buyers to individuals seeking mortgage options later in life.

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The majority of our business revolves around residential mortgages, allowing us to assist people in purchasing their dream homes, which is truly fulfilling. Our objective is to support individuals throughout their mortgage journey, guiding them through every move or refinancing process. In addition to mortgages, we also provide crucial personal protection services, an essential aspect when undertaking a significant debt like a mortgage.

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We should be cautiously optimistic about mortgage rates into next year..

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In recent weeks, some major banks have been lowering their rates. However, these rates have remained relatively stable since the beginning of the year. While the Bank of England base rate is critical in determining interest rates, it is not the only influencer. For example, fixed-rate mortgages are currently lower than the base rate due to broader market conditions, swap rates, interbank lending, inflation, and other economic factors.

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At the start of the year, there was an expectation for rates to decrease further, but this has yet to materialise. If inflation persists, we may see a cut to the base rate by the end of the year. Looking ahead to next year, we can be cautiously optimistic, but the era of the meagre rates we've experienced for the past decade may end. If you were able to secure one, consider yourself fortunate!

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There has been a lot of innovation in the mortgage market for first time buyers...

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Two examples are the £5k deposit mortgage, which allows first-time buyers to purchase a house valued up to £500,000 with a £5k deposit, and the track record mortgage, which permits first-time buyers to purchase with no deposit based on their track record of maintaining rental payments and good credit.

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Please note: Every situation is unique, and specific criteria must be met to access these products. Please reach out if you'd like to discuss this further.

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We live in Leyton, just by Leyton Midland Road, and the area has seen some fantastic new additions opening this year...

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We have Bread and Oregano, Burnt Smokehouse, Gravity Well Brewery, Hot Pod Yoga, and excellent coffee from Perky Blenders. My road has such a lovely community feel. We always have a Christmas carol and lights switch in the evening. Halloween is a real spectacle, and everyone comes together to help each other out – there’s always something being passed on through the road WhatsApp! We also have Francis Road nearby, with more coffee shops and delis. There are lots of great parks dotted around for the little ones, too.

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The perfect sunny weekend in East London for us would be...

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Meeting friends for brunch at Bread and Oregano, going for a bike ride across the marshes and down the canal to Hackney Wick, having a picnic in the park, enjoying a drink and a chicken katsu wrap at Broadway Market, having a Sunday roast at Leytonstone Tavern, and probably attending a community event in the area like the Francis Road Jumble Trail.

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East London's best kept secret is...

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The Leytonstone Tavern roast dinner! Its the best out there.

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My East London guilty pleasure is...

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Chicken Katsu Wraps from Broadway market.

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If you would like to find more about Anderson Harris and what finance options may be available to you then you can visit their website here

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Please note that Easthaus are in no way affiliated with Anderson Harris and we do not take a commission from them if you use their service.

We just think they are really nice people who do a great job.

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