Market Insight

June Saw a Welcome Return in Market Momentum

After a quieter May, June delivered a noticeable uplift in activity across the mortgage market. Total mortgage searches increased by 7% compared with the previous month and were also 2% higher than the same period last year. Encouragingly, growth was seen across every major lending sector.

For advisers, this is another positive sign that confidence is returning, with borrowers actively exploring their options and lenders continuing to enhance their product offerings.

Here are some of the key trends we saw during June:

As a mortgage packager, we're seeing these trends reflected in the cases coming through our own business. The demand for specialist lending remains strong, reinforcing the value of experienced packaging support in helping advisers navigate increasingly complex client scenarios and access the right lending solutions.

With momentum building and lender appetite remaining healthy, the outlook for the second half of the year is encouraging. As always, our team is here to help you place straightforward and specialist cases alike, ensuring your clients have access to the widest possible range of lending options.

Case Study

When the High Street Says No

A recent case highlights the difference that specialist lending and strong lender relationships can make.

A client was referred to us by a mortgage intermediary after being declined by several high street lenders. The challenges were clear: the applicant had only one year's self-employed accounts, two missed mortgage payments in 2023, and unsecured credit arrears within the previous 12 months. On top of this, they required a mortgage at 90% loan-to-value.

While many lenders were unable to accommodate the combination of recent self-employment, historic adverse credit and a higher LTV, we knew the case still had potential.

Working closely with one of our specialist lending partners, we discussed the application directly with their on-site underwriter. By presenting the client's circumstances in full and providing the right supporting information, we were able to secure an agreement to lend.

This case is a reminder that a decline from the high street doesn't always mean the end of the road. Access to specialist lenders, combined with experienced packaging and direct underwriter relationships, can make all the difference in finding the right outcome for both advisers and their clients.

Complete News

It's been another busy few months at Complete, with plenty happening across the business.

Our education programme continues to go from strength to strength, with our masterclasses attracting excellent attendance and positive feedback from advisers looking to build their knowledge and confidence in specialist lending. If you missed any of our previous sessions, presentations are available on the Events & Webinars page of our website.

Complete Events & Webinars →

Looking ahead, we'll be opening registrations in August for our Bridging & Buy-to-Let Masterclass, which will be hosted at Chetwood Bank's new London offices. It's set to be another informative session with practical insights, market updates and plenty of opportunities to network with industry peers. Keep an eye out for registration details over the coming weeks.

It's also been an exciting year for the Complete team. As our business continues to grow, we're delighted to have welcomed three new colleagues to the company. Ciera and Josh have joined our New Business team, while Kyle has strengthened our Processing team.

Their enthusiasm and commitment have already made a real impact, and we're delighted to have them on board.

As always, we'd like to thank our adviser partners for your continued support. We look forward to working with you throughout the rest of the year and helping you place even more specialist lending cases successfully.

Broker Tip

Get us involved early.

If you have a case that falls outside standard lending criteria, don't wait until you've exhausted your options before speaking to Complete.

Whether it's a self-employed applicant with limited trading history, historic adverse credit, an unusual property, or a complex income structure, involving us at the outset can save valuable time. We can identify the most suitable lenders, discuss the case directly with underwriters where appropriate, and help package the application in a way that gives it the best possible chance of success.

A five-minute conversation before submitting an application can often prevent unnecessary declines, reduce delays, and deliver a better outcome for both you and your client.