Maximising Your Mortgage Options: Expert Advice for Today’s Market

9th November 2023

As part of the continued growth of TJFS we took on a specialist mortgage and protection adviser in the Autumn of 2022, Linda Cleaves.  Linda has been a mortgage adviser for over 20 years, taking applicants from the initial stages to completion, making sure the process is as clear, concise and stress free as possible. Linda helps people from across every sector including purchases for first time buyers and home movers, mortgages into retirement and all types of equity release and lifetime mortgage.  As an independent firm of advisers, Linda has access to the full range of mortgages available to mortgage brokers and as such can select the best deals available.  Linda is also experienced in providing advice for buy-to-let landlords, company buy-to-let properties and portfolio landlords.

In addition, Linda can also advise on and recommend protection insurance products designed for individuals to protect their mortgage, family, and income, as well as a full range of business protection plans for business owners.

Linda says that mortgages have come increasingly into focus as interest rates rise from the low rates we have experienced since the Financial Crisis of 2007 – 2008.  Large numbers of existing mortgage holders are coming to the end of their fixed rates, which have been in many cases below 2%, and are now having to consider variable rates and fixed rates in the region of 5% or higher.  Therefore, it is as important to get sound advice during the course of your mortgage as it has been at the outset.

In addition, many lenders withdrew mortgages with smaller deposits and tightened up their affordability meaning that the amount they would lend applicants fell without there being any change to their circumstances. This resulted in borrowers who had an “Agreement in Principle” suddenly finding that the lender would not lend as much as previously agreed and either the house purchase could not proceed, or a new lender had to be found very quickly.

Fortunately, markets have stabilised a little, but rates are still a little higher than they were a year ago, so the market needs to be carefully studied to make sure the best deals are being found to meet each client’s needs.

The addition of Linda to the financial services team, along with her experience and expertise, came at exactly the right time for existing clients and new borrowers with the changes which were occurring in 2022.  She will help you through the minefield of fixed rates, tracker rates, discounted rates, capped rates and stepped rates, as well as all combinations.

Equity Release and borrowing into retirement has become an increasingly popular way for parents and grandparents to help their children and grandchildren boost their deposits to make buying a home affordable.  With the market tightening and rates increasing, we only see this trend continuing and as longstanding members of the Equity Release Council, we are ideally placed to advise you on whether this may be a sensible way to help those starting on the mortgage ladder.

Whether you are buying your first home, moving house, needing to raise capital, or just looking for a better deal on your existing mortgage, we can find the right deal for you from the vast selection of mortgages available.

If you would like to talk to us about the options available, please get in touch.