Why use a mortgage broker?

How many times does the average person in the UK move house? Surprisingly, according to a recent poll from Zoopla it’s only once every 23 years. This has risen dramatically since the late 80s when the average was a little under nine years. Given this and the fact that about 85% of current mortgage stock in on fixed term deals, the average person’s experience of finding a new mortgage is limited. For something as important as a mortgage it makes sense to get expert help from someone who deals with them day in, day out.

So, what is stopping more people from using mortgage brokers? One reason is that it is now for more straightforward to get mortgage quotes. The rise of comparison websites has made it possible to get the rates for a wide variety of mortgage deals in a matter of few minutes.

However, when it comes to mortgages, rates are just part of the picture. Each lender has their own underwriting criteria, which is often extensive. According to Experian, lenders reject a third of customers using comparison sites as they do not meet their full lending criteria. A mortgage broker will gather all the information necessary and only present deals that you qualify for, preventing any unnecessary disappointment or delays.

This is just one reason to use a mortgage broker, here are four more.

Removes the hassle

Mortgage consultants at Springtide Capital take the time to fully understand the needs of each client, so they get to know what you need not just now but in the future. They do all the hard work for you, gathering the required information and documentation to conduct research with more than 100 lenders to find the most suitable deal for you.

No one enjoys completing forms, especially for something as involved as a mortgage. Once you’ve made an informed choice based on a complete picture of the options available, your consultant will prepare and submit your application for you. They’ll follow this up with a personalised report setting out and confirming their reasons for their advice and recommendations.

Dedicated support

Alongside your mortgage consultant, Springtide Capital will allocate you a dedicated case manager. They will ensure your application proceeds as smoothly and speedily as possible, they follow up with lenders through every step of the process. They can also liaise with third parties, such as solicitors, saving you valuable time and reducing additional worries at this already stressful time.

Providing peace of mind

When there are so many uncertainties in the world, understanding how you can protect your mortgage payments and safeguard your home if the worse should happen is vital. Our in-house protection specialist can review and arrange the appropriate cover for personal and/or business customers ensuring you are completely aware of the risks and how best to mitigate them.

Superior service

Springtide Capital has one overriding objective – to make sure you never pay more than you need to. Your mortgage consultant’s role doesn’t stop once a deal is complete, this a long-term partnership. It is their job to always be looking forward, proactively monitoring rates ahead of your renewal date to ensure you act quickly, at the right time, to get the right price.

At Springtide Capital our experts monitor all market indicators closely, helping clients to find the best possible options for their circumstances. Speak to us today to see how we could help you find the solution that’s right for you.

To discuss your mortgage requirements today contact Springtide Capital on 020 8154 7280.

Sources

https://www.idealhome.co.uk/news/zoopla-average-brit-moves-home-181281

https://www.ftadviser.com/mortgages/2022/12/22/the-outlook-for-mortgages-in-2023/?page=2

https://www.mortgagesolutions.co.uk/news/2019/08/19/lenders-decline-a-third-of-customers-using-comparison-sites-experian/

Mortgage Outlook for 2023

All experts are predicting a bumpy ride for the economy in 2023. However, even just a few weeks into the year, we are beginning to see more positive signs that the picture won’t be as gloomy as was forecast at the end of last year. While consensus is that the UK will go into recession, the hope is this won’t be as deep as was feared. The Bank of England base rate, currently at 3.5%, will probably still rise, but HSBC have revised their forecast, predicting it won’t go higher than 3.75%.

The outlook for the housing market is similarly uncertain for 2023.There is consensus across the board that prices will drop, but by how much is still very much up for debate.

House prices fell in the last four months of 2022 and this trend is expected to continue, but the fall between November and December was just 0.1%. The market was quiet at the end of last year, as many people decided to wait and see what would happen with mortgage rates.

How much they will continue to fall in 2023 is uncertain. The most pessimistic warn the fall could be between 15% and 20%, but most believe it will be much less drastic than that. The Nationwide are predicting a slide, rather than a crash with a 5% reduction in prices.

What is clear is the housing boom fuelled by measures taken during the pandemic is over. British banks and building societies expect to lend 23% less to homebuyers in 2023 and the number of properties being sold is likely to be around 1 million, down from 1.27 million in 2022. However, there are reasons to back the more optimistic view of the year ahead and that the fall will be softer than some forecast.

These rate increases will only affect a limited proportion of the market. Around 85% of mortgage balances are on fixed interest rates, so they will be only affected by rate increases once they come up for renewal. According to the latest figures from the ONS, 1.4 million households in the UK are facing the prospects of interest rate rises when they renew their fixed term mortgages in 2023, but it is looking like their payments will go up substantially less than was feared.

While there will be some who will struggle to cover their mortgage payments, it is predicted that a relatively low number of people will be forced into moving in 2023. This is due to rising wages in the private sector, currently up to 7.2%, covering much of the price hikes caused by inflation. The unemployment rate is also predicted to increase only marginally, up to 5% from the current 3.6%, still low by historic standards.

There is no pretending 2023 will be a bumper year for the housing and mortgage markets. However, commentators believe that the decline will be temporary and modest growth will return in 2024.

At Springtide Capital our experts monitor the market closely, helping clients to find the best possible options for their circumstances, considering not the current situation but likely future outcomes. Speak to us today to see how we could help you find the solution that’s right for you.

To discuss your mortgage requirements today contact Springtide Capital on 020 8154 7280.

Sources

https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/hsbc-cuts-uk-terminal-rate-forecast-375-425-2022-11-04/

https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-house-price-growth-slows-december-nationwide-2022-12-30/

Nationwide predicts 5% house price falls in 2023 – Your Mortgage

UK lenders see 23% slide in mortgages for home-buyers in 2023 | Reuters

https://www.ftadviser.com/mortgages/2022/12/22/the-outlook-for-mortgages-in-2023/?page=2

How increases in housing costs impact households – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

Average weekly earnings in Great Britain – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

https://www.cbi.org.uk/media-centre/articles/no-new-year-cheer-for-uk-economy-with-productivity-and-business-investment-weakening-cbi-economic-forecast