The average shelf-life for mortgage products has fallen to 13 days in October, a decrease from 14 days in September, according to Moneyfacts data. This reduction is attributed to ongoing volatility in swap rates, which is prompting lenders to frequently reprice or withdraw products.
For 2026 as a whole, the average mortgage product shelf-life has been just 15 days, making it the shortest annual average on record. This figure remains above the record low of eight days seen in April, following the initial impact of the US-Iran conflict.
Adam French, Head of Consumer Finance at Moneyfacts, stated that brokers and borrowers are navigating the most challenging mortgage market in modern records. He noted that deals available today may not be present tomorrow, leaving borrowers with a tighter window to secure competitive offers.
Economic uncertainty, largely stemming from the Middle East conflict, is driving this instability. Fluctuations in swap rates, which affect the cost of funding fixed-rate mortgages, are forcing lenders to adjust pricing or withdraw products when funding costs change.