Opinions & blogs

Understanding and demonstrating value

There are a huge number of ways in which a broker can demonstrate their...

Technology can improve equity release advice, lending and underwriting

Firstly, may I wish you all a very Happy New Year and welcome to...

Is purchase activity really going to fall in 2022?

2022 and 2023 lending predictions were boosted recently by IMLA’s foray into this space...

2022 – likely to be a ‘greener’ year than most

Given the year we had during 2021, it would be unsurprising if there wasn’t...

2022 is a year to be welcomed

Some people seem permanently disposed towards wallowing in the myriad of bad news that...

Industry requires government roadmap on improving energy efficiency

First up, when it comes to improving the energy efficiency of our homes, I...

Advising the next generation of first-time buyers

Buying a first home is an exciting prospect for many borrowers. Yet, it’s a...

EPC ratings and their growing importance

Last month, I looked at the issue of EPC ratings in light of COP26,...

Lenders see market to be secured in high LTV lending

The mortgage market has seen more than its fair share of ups and downs...

Later life lending demand only going in one direction

At the time of year, we in the industry tend to get asked what...

Remortgaging advice: the simplest approach can be the most effective

For anyone and everyone who has worked in and around the mortgage market for...

Flexibility and reliability key for lenders who want to stand out

Brokers operating in the bridging market are in a fantastic position today. The sector...

Why property surveys should matter to brokers

It’s understandable why many borrowers prefer to stick simply to the mortgage lender’s valuation....

‘Use it or lose it’ doesn’t make sense

Technology is often at the forefront of all minds, particularly when you’re an intermediary...

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Heavy refurbishment: structuring finance for complex property upgrades

Investors are rethinking their approach to property - heavy refurbishment is no longer just an option; it’s a necessity for unlocking value in today’s...

Why predicting 2025 interest rates feels like a fool’s errand

In my first (and for some reason clearly not my last) article last month, I attempted (perhaps foolishly) to discuss where rates might go...

Helping university students onto the property ladder

As we head towards the Easter break, thousands of first-year university students up and down the country will be preparing for exams and making...

Lenders must step up on high LTV products

Things are on the up for borrowers with a smaller deposit. The financial information website Moneyfacts publishes a regular update on mortgage product numbers,...

Why it matters that bridging hit more than £10bn last year

We see many numbers bandied around in the financial industry, which can sometimes have a numbing effect. So why should we all, especially brokers, care...

Latest news

Protection Guru: Consumer Duty can benefit both clients and advisers

New data from Protection Guru suggests that advisers who prioritise best value protection products...

National recruitment firm specialising in conveyancing launches

A new recruitment agency has been launched in the North East with the aim...

Bigger homes driving house price growth as flats lag behind

Demand for larger homes has driven growth in UK property prices over the past...

West One Loans passes major development finance lending mark

West One Loans has reached the milestone of £1 billion of lending within the...