Zoe Blount Cert CII MP - Mortgage and Protection Adviser

08/07/2026

7 Years. 7 Lessons. 7 Tips for Home Buyers.

Today marks 7 years with SN Financial Services, and it's been an incredible journey helping individuals, couples and families achieve one of life's biggest milestones – owning their own home.

Over the years, I've learnt that buying a home isn't just about finding the perfect property; it's about making informed financial decisions that set you up for the future.

So, to celebrate 7 years, here are my 7 top tips for first-time buyers and families before committing to a home purchase:

🏡 1. Know your budget – not just your borrowing limit.
Just because you can borrow a certain amount doesn't mean you should. Make sure your monthly repayments leave room for life, not just bills.

💰 2. Save for more than just the deposit.
Don't forget solicitor fees, surveys, moving costs, stamp duty (where applicable), and furnishing your new home.

📊 3. Check your credit report early.
A few simple improvements before applying for a mortgage can make a real difference to the options available.

📅 4. Think long term.
Will the property still suit your needs in 5 years? Consider family plans, commuting, schools, and future affordability.

📑 5. Get your mortgage agreed in principle.
It shows estate agents and sellers you're a serious buyer and can put you in a stronger position when making an offer.

🔍 6. Don't skip the survey.
Even a beautiful-looking home can hide costly issues. A survey could save you thousands in unexpected repairs.

🤝 7. Speak to a mortgage adviser early.
The right advice can help you understand your options, avoid common pitfalls, and make the process much less stressful.

Thank you to everyone who has trusted me over the past 7 years—clients, colleagues, introducers, friends and family. Your support has meant so much, and I'm grateful to have been part of so many home-buying journeys.

Here's to helping many more people turn the dream of homeownership into reality. 🏡✨

22/05/2026

15/04/2026

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I’ve recently celebrated my 4th year as a mortgage adviser, and I’ve been reflecting on what makes a good, valuable adviser.

For me, it’s about taking the time to really understand people’s situations, being clear and honest about their options, and helping make a big step like moving home feel that bit easier.

Reviews like this are a lovely reminder of why I do what I do. Being able to take some of the stress out of moving home and make the process smoother for people is always the goal.

20/03/2026

Why have mortgage rates gone up when the Bank of England base rate hasn’t changed?

We’ve had a few clients understandably asking this recently, so here’s a clear explanation, and some reassurance.

While the Bank of England base rate often grabs the headlines, mortgage pricing is more heavily influenced by SWAP rates. These reflect what lenders expect interest rates to be in the future, not just where they are today.

• Recently, SWAP rates have risen partly due to increased global uncertainty, including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has made financial markets more cautious.

• When uncertainty rises, markets often price in higher future borrowing costs.
Lenders respond by adjusting fixed mortgage rates, even if the base rate hasn’t changed.

So in simple terms:
Base rate = where we are now
SWAP rates = where markets think we’re heading

A bit of reassurance
• This doesn’t mean rates will keep rising, markets can and do settle.
• Global events can cause short-term spikes, but these don’t always last.
• If you’re already on a fixed rate, you’re protected for now.
• And if you’re approaching renewal, there are still plenty of options available.

Our advice? Don’t panic - plan ahead.

If your mortgage deal is ending in the next 6 months, it's worth reviewing your options early. We can help you plan ahead and retain flexibility in case things improve.

As always, we’re here to guide you through it, no jargon, no pressure, just clear, supportive advice.

05/02/2026

Budgeting for the unexpected is about more than just planning your monthly outgoings.

When clients come to me to arrange a mortgage, many assume life insurance is the only protection they need.

But for younger buyers - especially those in their early 20s - income protection is often just as important, if not more so. The reality is, you’re far more likely to face a period of illness or injury than anything else.

Income protection is designed to:
- Help cover your mortgage payments
- Support your everyday living costs
- Protect the lifestyle you’ve worked hard to build

At SN Financial, we help clients budget with real life in mind — including the things you can’t plan for. Having the right cover in place can make all the difference if the unexpected happens.

24/12/2025

A brilliant way to bring our team together and celebrate the year 🎄✨

We had a wonderful evening at Spring Grove House, Kidderminster, for our annual Christmas party. A big thank you to them for such a splendid venue and for creating a truly festive atmosphere.

Most importantly, this was a chance to say thank you to our amazing team across every area of the business. From advisers to client services, paraplanning, mortgages and support teams – it’s your hard work, care and commitment behind the scenes that allows us to deliver excellent service to our clients every day.

We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together this year.

From everyone at SN, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year 🎅🥂

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24/12/2025

As the year draws to a close, I just want to say a huge thank you to all of my clients for trusting me with your mortgage and home-buying journeys this year. It’s been a pleasure helping so many of you take important steps toward your goals, and I’m incredibly grateful for your support, recommendations, and kind words throughout the year.

I hope you enjoy a relaxing Christmas filled with happiness, laughter, and time with loved ones. Here’s to an exciting and successful year ahead — I look forward to supporting you again in the New Year.

🎅🏡 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🥂

09/12/2025

Redundancy doesn’t have to mean panic.

In our latest blog, Brian Walker shares how smart planning helped one person turn a challenging moment into long-term financial gain — and even cut their tax bill dramatically.

If redundancy is on your mind, this story could really help.

https://snfinancial.co.uk/news/from-redundancy-shock-to-retirement-boost-how-smart-planning-turned-bad-news-into-a-big-win/

28/11/2025

The Chancellor has delivered the Autumn Budget Statement 2025, and with changes to tax, savings, and salary sacrifice schemes, it can feel a bit overwhelming to know what it all means.

We’ve put together a simple, easy-to-read Autumn Budget 2025 Guide, now available to download from our website. It covers the key announcements and how they might affect you or your business.

👉 Download the guide https://snfinancial.co.uk/download-guides/

📞 Want to talk it through? Get in touch with the SN Financial team – we’re here to help.