Take a fix at 6.49%

JOHN Charcol has a fixed rate pegged until January 1997 for those wanting to remortgage. Borrowers needing to borrow up to 75 per cent of the value of their home pay 6.49 per cent, and those borrowing up to 95 per cent pay 6.99 per cent. There is no fee; solicitors' fees and the valuation fee up to pounds 300 will be paid.

The Alliance & Leicester variable rate has a 1.6 per cent discount for three years. The variable rate which may well rise is 7.64 per cent, bringing the rate down to 6.14 per cent. There is no compulsory insurance and no fee to pay.

At Britannia fixed rate borrowers have to take the society's own buildings and contents insurance for the first year or pay an extra 0.5 per cent on the mortgage rate.