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For all the talk of AI tools and comparison sites reshaping financial services, the latest data on the UK mortgage market tells a different story: human advice still matters, and it matters more than ever. If you’re navigating a purchase or remortgage yourself, this is exactly the kind of support we’re here to offer, get in touch and let’s talk it through.
Santander’s quarterly Broker Perception Barometer, a survey of 500 mortgage customers, found that nearly two-thirds of borrowers say they simply could not have gone through the homebuying or remortgage process without a broker, and this is now the third consecutive quarter the figure has landed in that range [1][2]. It’s a striking number in an era when digital-first alternatives are supposedly meant to be replacing traditional advice.
Why now? The report points to three forces converging on borrowers’ decision-making: rising prices, ongoing uncertainty over the path of interest rates, and, more unusually, the distraction of a major football tournament this summer [1][3]. Despite the World Cup dominating attention, the research found broker relationships have stayed remarkably resilient.
According to the Broker Perception Barometer, most borrowers said they would still expect their broker to reach out during a match if advice was needed, and around a quarter said they’d rather focus on their finances than the football. We’d love to hear from our customers… did the World Cup sway your financial planning?
The numbers behind why brokers remain indispensable are compelling. Most customers, 84%, said brokers gave them a sense of security in a shifting market, and nearly three-quarters said using a broker gave them greater confidence in their financial decisions [1][2]. On the practical side, most borrowers who bought, remortgaged or transferred products in the past year reported saving money by going through a broker, with average monthly savings running into the hundreds of pounds annually [2][5].
Even with digital mortgage tools becoming more common, most borrowers said they’d still choose a human broker over AI at every stage of the process [2][5].
Markets move, headlines change, and this summer has brought its share of distractions, from interest rate speculation to football fever. But the research is a reminder that in complex, high-stakes financial decisions, expert human advice isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s what most people say they genuinely cannot do without.
If you’re weighing up a house purchase, a remortgage, or simply want a second opinion on your options, we’d love to help. Get in touch with our team today for clear, human advice you can trust, no jargon, no pressure, just honest guidance tailored to your circumstances.
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Put simply, the more deposit you have, the better, as a higher deposit will generally attract a lower mortgage rate. But, because mortgage products change all the time, do give us a call, as the percentage deposit you need will vary.
Mortgage lenders will have a maximum LTV (loan to value) that they’re prepared to offer you. For example, if you’re looking at a property with a value of £250,000 and the lender offers you £212,500, this means your LTV is 85%, so your deposit would be £37,500 which equates to 15%.
When buying a property, or re-mortgaging, rather than take your word for it, the lender will need a valuation of your intended property purchase, to ensure that what you’re asking to borrow, coincides with the property’s value. In fact, they’ll insist upon it.
It’s well worth investing in a survey too. This will tell you about the general condition of the property. If you’re investing in a property that’s older, or in a general state of disrepair, it would be well worth investing a little extra in a structural survey.
When saving for your deposit, don’t forget to save extra for things like solicitor fees, surveys, stamp duty, home insurance, removal costs, mortgage arrangement fees, etc.
To assess whether or not you can afford a mortgage, lenders will look in detail at things like your salary, any other income you receive. Plus, they will also need to know about any other outgoings such as car loans, credit card debt, personal loans, utility bills, childcare, general living costs. All this is taken into consideration when applying for a mortgage.
Also, be aware that lenders will look at your credit score too. They need to be confident that you can pay back your mortgage and that you pay back any other credit, essentially to make sure that you are a reliable borrower.
We’ve been in the property industry for a number of years now and as such, only work with trusted partners, such as conveyancing solicitors, etc. So if you need help, then do not hesitate to ask and we will put you in touch.
Comparison sites serve their purpose, but, because they don’t have access to the whole of market, the results you will see will be limited. Comparison sites will only show the results of the lenders who have paid to advertise on their site.
At Steeples Mortgages, we’re more than happy to chat things through with you, we much prefer the personal touch, be that by telephone, Zoom or in person.
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Steeples Mortgages is a trusted and respected independent mortgage and financial solutions business based from our high-street office in Brighouse, West Yorkshire. We’ve built our reputation on friendly, client-focused, transparent advice.
As a member of The Equity Release Council and certified in Mortgage Advice and Practice, Steeples Mortgages is all about doing the right thing. We want each and every client to be a lifelong client and as such, we provide the very best customer service, coupled with the most suitable advice all underpinned by honesty, integrity and trust.
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Aaron Steeples
Founder & Managing Director
Founded Steeples Mortgages in 2017. Two decades in finance with a client-first approach built on honest, transparent advice.
Kylie Waite
Client Completion & Office Manager
Oversees every client’s journey from application to completion, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience.
Duncan Schofield
Mortgage & Protection Advisor
40 years in financial services. Specialist knowledge with self-employed clients and complex mortgage cases.
Adnan Ahmed
Mortgage & Protection Advisor
Dedicated to helping clients find the right products with clarity and care, from first-time buyers to remortgages.
Cheryl Whitehead
Mortgage Administrator
Cheryl has been working in the mortgage industry for over three years now and has built up valuable experience.