Unbiased.co.uk’s ‘find a mortgage adviser’ search again revealed ‘first time buying’ as the number one advice driver for February 2011, with 35% of all searches.
The professional advice website said interest in re-mortgage advice fell slightly from 36% to 34%, although it was still the second most popular area.
The volume of consumers seeking whole of market mortgage advice on buy-to-let increased by 3%, from 14% to 17%, since January this year.
Personal retirement planning was the number one advice driver (41%) for people seeking independent financial in February. The Advice Drivers report also shows that nearly one in three consumers (30%) were looking for an IFA specialising in ‘investment and savings’ advice.
With ISA season at its peak, the figures show a continued upward trend for consumers wanting an IFA whose area of expertise includes ISAs, OEICs and unit trusts, with an increase from 14% in January to 16% in February, marking an annual high since February 2010 for searches in this area.
Karen Barrett, chief executive of unbiased.co.uk, said: “Investing and saving for the future is hugely topical at the moment and with increasing reports from industry over the current number of people not saving it is positive to see an increase in the number of searches for guidance around investment and savings options.”””
