Orchard Mortgage Solutions: Stephen Watney

07/09/2026

07/09/2026

🏠 Why are mortgage rates going UP when the Bank of England hasn’t increased the Base Rate?

It’s a question I’m being asked a lot at the moment.

Mortgage rates don’t simply follow the Bank of England Base Rate. Fixed mortgage pricing is heavily influenced by swap rates, essentially the market’s expectations of where interest rates and funding costs are heading.

Recent global bond market turbulence, concerns around inflation and rising government borrowing costs have pushed swap rates higher. As lenders’ funding costs increase, we’re starting to see some mortgage rates being repriced upwards.

🔮 How much will this affect mortgage rates, and for how long?

Unfortunately, none of us has a crystal ball.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean borrowers need to sit and wait.

If your existing mortgage deal ends within the next 6 months, it may be possible to secure a new deal now. Likewise, if you’re purchasing a property, securing a mortgage product can provide some protection against further rate increases.

And importantly, depending on the lender and product, if rates subsequently fall before completion, it may be possible to switch to a lower available rate before your new mortgage starts.

So it isn’t all doom and gloom.

Securing a rate now could give you some certainty if rates continue rising, while there may still be an opportunity to benefit if rates fall before completion.

Every mortgage is different, so it’s important to consider your individual circumstances and available options.

📩 If your mortgage is approaching the end of its current deal, or you’re considering buying, I’m happy to have a chat.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

This post is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice.

20/08/2026

Back from holiday and thinking about your next move?

There is something about having a little time to relax on holiday that gives you the opportunity to think about what you really want from your home.

Perhaps you have come back thinking that it is time to sell and move to a new property. Or maybe you have decided that you love where you live, but would like to borrow additional funds to extend, renovate or simply bring your home up to date.

Whatever your plans, it is worth exploring your options before making any decisions.

At Orchard Mortgage Solutions, based in Cheltenham, we offer a free, no-obligation conversation to discuss your plans and look at the mortgage solutions available to you.

As a directly authorised FCA-regulated mortgage broker with access to over 100 mortgage providers, we can research the market and help you find a mortgage solution that is appropriate for your individual circumstances.

Whether you are moving home, looking to raise additional funds or simply want to understand what may be possible, we are here to help.

Get in touch with Orchard Mortgage Solutions for a free, no-obligation chat.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments of your mortgage.

17/08/2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 STAR GOOGLE REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A huge thank you to Emma for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review. Your kind words genuinely mean a lot to us! 🙏

“Stephen goes above and beyond. He has recently guided us through our mortgage renewal and made the process seamless. Would not hesitate to recommend. Thank you Stephen!”

At Orchard Mortgage Solutions, we pride ourselves on not just the quality of our mortgage advice, but the customer service that sits alongside it.

For us, arranging a mortgage isn’t simply about finding a suitable product. It’s about being there for our clients, keeping things clear and straightforward, communicating throughout the process, and making what can sometimes feel like a stressful experience as seamless as possible.

Reviews like this are incredibly rewarding and are a fantastic reminder of why we do what we do. ❤️

Thank you again, Emma, for putting your trust in us and for your recommendation. It really is appreciated.

📍 Based in Cheltenham | Covering Gloucestershire, the Cotswolds and beyond

🏡 New Purchases | Remortgages | First Time Buyers | Buy to Let | Self-Employed | Complex Cases | Bridging Finance

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

17/08/2026

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 STAR GOOGLE REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A huge thank you to Emma for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review. Your kind words genuinely mean a lot to us! 🙏

“Stephen goes above and beyond. He has recently guided us through our mortgage renewal and made the process seamless. Would not hesitate to recommend. Thank you Stephen!”

At Orchard Mortgage Solutions, we pride ourselves on not just the quality of our mortgage advice, but the customer service that sits alongside it.

For us, arranging a mortgage isn't simply about finding a suitable product. It's about being there for our clients, keeping things clear and straightforward, communicating throughout the process, and making what can sometimes feel like a stressful experience as seamless as possible.

Reviews like this are incredibly rewarding and are a fantastic reminder of why we do what we do. ❤️

Thank you again, Emma, for putting your trust in us and for your recommendation. It really is appreciated.

📍 Based in Cheltenham | Covering Gloucestershire, the Cotswolds and beyond

🏡 New Purchases | Remortgages | First Time Buyers | Buy to Let | Self-Employed | Complex Cases | Bridging Finance



Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

13/08/2026

RATE WATCH 📉 | Are mortgage rates starting to move?

We’re seeing some lenders withdraw existing mortgage deals and replace them with lower rates, with reductions of around 0.10% at lenders such as Atom Bank and up to 0.15% with Halifax, to name just a couple.

Could this be an early sign that other lenders will follow? 🤞

Hopefully, we’ll continue to see mortgage rates edge down, but remember, this is simply an indication of where the market is today, and rates can change quickly.

So, should you wait for rates to fall?

Not necessarily.

If you secure a mortgage rate now and rates subsequently rise, you have the benefit of the rate you secured.

If rates fall before your mortgage completes, we can review the available options and, where possible, secure a lower rate for you.

But remember, the lowest rate shouldn’t be the driving force behind your mortgage application.

Affordability is key, and obtaining a Decision in Principle (DIP) early can give you:

✅ Greater certainty that a lender is prepared to consider your application
✅ Peace of mind when making an offer
✅ A head start on the mortgage process
✅ Help keeping your purchase on track

Most estate agents will also want to see a DIP as evidence that you’re a serious buyer and have the potential to obtain the mortgage required to purchase their client’s property.

The right mortgage isn’t simply about the rate, it’s about getting the right mortgage for your circumstances.

If you’re thinking of moving, remortgaging or buying your first home, speak to me at Orchard Mortgage Solutions. I’m the Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and wider Cotswolds adviser for the firm, and I’d be happy to discuss your options.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

13/08/2026

🌑 Sometimes, you just need to stop working.

Last night, I very nearly didn’t go outside to watch the solar eclipse.

I was ready to work all evening. There was always another email to send, another task to finish and another thing that could not wait until tomorrow… or so I told myself.

But then I thought about it.

Apparently, this could be the last solar eclipse I’ll see in my lifetime. And that suddenly put things into perspective.

I could spend the evening working, or I could step away from the laptop, go outside and experience something I may never get the chance to experience again, with the people who mean the most to me.

So, I chose the eclipse. 🌑✨

And I’m very glad I did.

It’s easy when you run your own business to convince yourself that you always need to be working. There’s always something that needs doing, and it can feel difficult to switch off.

But ultimately, what are we working for if we never take the time to enjoy the things we’re working so hard for?

The emails can wait. The work will still be there tomorrow.

The memories, however, are being made right now.

So, this is a slightly different post from my usual business and mortgage-related content. Sometimes it’s important to put the work stuff down and make time for the people and experiences that really matter.

Having said that…

If anyone does need mortgage advice, feel free to get in touch. 😂

I couldn’t help myself mentioning mortgages. 

13/08/2026

🌑 Sometimes, you just need to stop working.

Last night, I very nearly didn’t go outside to watch the solar eclipse.

I was ready to work all evening. There was always another email to send, another task to finish and another thing that could not wait until tomorrow… or so I told myself.

But then I thought about it.

Apparently, this could be the last solar eclipse I’ll see in my lifetime. And that suddenly put things into perspective.

I could spend the evening working, or I could step away from the laptop, go outside and experience something I may never get the chance to experience again, with the people who mean the most to me.

So, I chose the eclipse. 🌑✨

And I’m very glad I did.

It’s easy when you run your own business to convince yourself that you always need to be working. There’s always something that needs doing, and it can feel difficult to switch off.

But ultimately, what are we working for if we never take the time to enjoy the things we’re working so hard for?

The emails can wait. The work will still be there tomorrow.

The memories, however, are being made right now.

So, this is a slightly different post from my usual business and mortgage-related content. Sometimes it’s important to put the work stuff down and make time for the people and experiences that really matter.

Having said that…

If anyone does need mortgage advice, feel free to get in touch. 😂

I couldn’t help myself mentioning mortgages.

12/08/2026

Your mortgage deal ends in the next 6 months? Don’t wait until the last minute. 🏡

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is leaving their remortgage until their current deal is about to expire.

At Orchard Mortgage Solutions, we can start looking at your options up to 6 months before your current deal ends.

And here’s the clever part 👇

✅ If rates rise: you could have already secured a lower rate.

✅ If rates fall: we can review the market again and, where available, switch you to a lower rate before your new mortgage completes.

That means you can secure your position without necessarily locking yourself out of future rate reductions.

We’ll compare the available options, look at your circumstances and help you understand whether it makes sense to stay with your existing lender or switch to a new one.

Your remortgage doesn’t need to be stressful, and you don’t need to wait until the last minute.

📩 If your mortgage deal ends within the next 6 months, get in touch today and let’s see what options are available to you.

Orchard Mortgage Solutions, helping you make the right move with your mortgage.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.