High loan-to-value (LTV) mortgage options have reached their highest count since March 2008, new figures from Moneyfacts have indicated.

The group’s data revealed there has been an uplift in LTV deals at 90% and 95% LTV at the start of 2026, with 90% LTV options in particular hitting a record high.

Product choice overall climbed month-on-month to 7,537 options, meaning there are now over 1,000 more available mortgage deals compared to this time last year.

Moneyfacts also stated that mortgage activity has resulted in a rise in the average shelf-life of a mortgage to 33 days, which it noted is a typical pattern seen for the seasonal slowdown during the start of a new year.

Finance expert at Moneyfacts, Rachel Springall, commented that 2026 is setting itself up to be “fruitful” for first-time buyers.

“Despite the volatility in mortgage rates over recent weeks, and a typical seasonal slowdown in activity that resulted in a rise to the average shelf-life of a deal to 33 days, the latest boost to product choice and sentiment towards relaxing stress tests will be encouraging news to borrowers,” Springall said.

“Mortgages at the 90% LTV tier now represent a 13% proportion of the residential mortgage market, with 95% LTV deals representing a small fraction of just 7%

“The number of options in both of these sectors rose month-on-month, which has led to a record-high count in the number of deals available to borrowers with a 10% deposit or equity.”

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