Kasia Ostler - Key Steps Financial

04/06/2026

Lovely local business 💜🍪🥰

Introducing The Crumb Cabin 🤪🍰✨

You asked, I’ve delivered (finally) 👀

Opening Saturday 6th June

⏰ 10am-4pm (or sell out)

📍 Stourport, DY13 8EL (you can’t miss it, it’s bright purple and there will be balloons 🤣)

The shed works on an honesty self serve basis, please don’t disturb the house. There is plenty of parking outside but please be mindful of neighbours. There will be CCTV in operation, so please be kind and honest when paying. I can’t wait to see you all on Saturday 🫶🏻

01/06/2026

It’s SMALL BUSINESS WEEK…

so it feels like the perfect time to give a little appreciation to small, local businesses everywhere.

Behind every small business is a huge amount of hard work, long hours, determination, and a genuine passion for helping people — something both myself and Darren understand all too well through our own businesses.

Through my mortgage business and Darren’s business, Security Solutions (Midlands) Limited, we’re proud to support people locally whilst building businesses that are personal, trustworthy, and community focused.

Small businesses really do make a difference to local communities, and every recommendation, referral, like, comment, and bit of support never goes unnoticed.

So this week, if you can, shop local, recommend a local business, leave a review, or simply share someone’s page — it all helps more than people realise.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support us both. We genuinely appreciate it. ❤️

29/05/2026

MAY HIGHLIGHTS.

May has definitely been another busy month in the property world, with plenty happening across the market and lots for people to keep up with.

A few key market points this month:

* Inflation has continued to dominate the headlines
* Interest rates are still fluctuating
* The Bank of England kept rates the same at the last review at the end of April
* The Renters’ Rights Act remains a major talking point for landlords and tenants alike

For many buyers and homeowners, it still feels like a “watch this space” market. Mortgage rates are changing regularly, which is why reviewing options and getting up-to-date advice is so important.

It’s also been a really varied month for me professionally, helping clients with:

* Different property building structures
* The First Homes new build scheme
* Self-employed mortgages using just 1 full year of income
* Buy-to-let remortgages with additional borrowing towards home renovations
* Residential remortgages raising extra funds to consolidate existing debts against the mortgage
* Mortgage and protection enquiries from people wanting to plan ahead and create more financial security

One of the things I enjoy most about this job is that no two cases are ever the same.

Outside of mortgages, I hosted my monthly meeting at Paisley at 106, where Hannah Dudley was my guest speaker alongside a lovely pop-up shop run by her team from Kidderminster based business Outpost Custom. It was another great event with lots of support for local businesses and some really interesting conversations throughout the morning.

Earlier this month, I also represented Women Who Business Community at the Worcestershire Stirling Expo at Sixways Stadium on 15th May, with Lisa Lloyd, Natasha McCann, Caroline Laudren Quillet - Independent Financial Adviser , Wendy Garrett. It was a fantastic event and a great opportunity to connect with so many local businesses.

Something completely different for me this month was my first experience working as an exam invigilator at my local high school. I actually found it really interesting and insightful — and slightly surreal knowing that next year my youngest will be there doing her GCSEs herself.

Away from work, one of my hobbies throughout the football season is photography for my daughter’s football team. I absolutely love capturing some of the action shots and special moments from the games along the way.

Now we move into June for more of the same:
Helping more lovely people onto the property ladder, supporting clients through remortgages and protection planning, and hopefully enjoying some continued nice weather along the way.

Wishing everyone a lovely start to June. 😊

11/05/2026

As a very proud parent, on Saturday we were celebrating with Olivia after the Kidderminster Harriers Girls U15s won the Worcestershire County Cup for the second year running 🏆 Such an amazing achievement and a lovely moment to share together.

Work-wise, couple of my first-time buyers had their offers accepted, which is always such an exciting milestone. Another young couple received their mortgage offer from HSBC, and two more couples have finally agreed on their mortgage completion dates and will be handed the keys to their new homes over the next two weeks! Seeing clients take the next steps towards their new homes never gets old.

This week will be focused on finalising new applications and completing a few protection reviews for clients who are due to complete on their house purchases very soon.

Alongside mortgages, May and June also mean exam season for me, as I help out as an Exam Invigilator during the GCSE and A-Level exams. Wishing all students the very best of luck over the next few weeks — you’ve got this 🥰

And finally, on Thursday I’ll be representing the Women Who Business Network at the Stirling Expo at Sixways Stadium, home of the Worcester Warriors. If you’re planning to be there, come and say hello!

08/05/2026

Happy 100th Birthday to Sir David Attenborough 🎉🌍

For generations, Sir David has reminded us not only to admire the natural world, but to care deeply enough to protect it.

One of his most powerful quotes has always stayed with me:

“No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced.”

Those words reach far beyond nature. They speak to our homes, our families, and the people we love most.

We protect what matters to us. We work hard, plan ahead, and put protection in place not for ourselves alone, but for the people who depend on us — the ones we care about deeply. Because love is shown not only in the moments we share today, but in the security and peace of mind we help provide for tomorrow.

Thank you, Sir David, for a lifetime of wisdom, humility, wonder, and inspiration. Your voice has helped the world see beauty more clearly, care more deeply, and think more responsibly about the legacy we leave behind.

Happy 100th Birthday to a truly remarkable man. 💚

05/05/2026

‼️The Renters’ Rights Act came into force earlier this month, bringing some big changes — especially if you’re currently renting or thinking about buying your first home. ‼️

Here’s what you need to know:

🏡 ‘No fault’ evictions have been scrapped — giving you more security in your home
🏡 Fixed-term tenancies are being replaced with rolling contracts — more flexibility, less being “locked in”
🏡 Rent increases are now limited to once per year — and you can challenge unfair rises
🏡 Large upfront rent payments are no longer allowed — making moving more accessible

I’ve been speaking to a few clients recently whose tenancies were due for renewal around now. Previously, they felt pressured to either commit to another 12-month contract or rush into buying.

With these new rules in place, they’ve moved onto rolling agreements instead. This gives them the flexibility to take their time and plan their next move properly, without the stress of being tied into another fixed term.

👉 But here’s the key point…

Just because you’re not ready to buy yet doesn’t mean you should wait to start the conversation.

The earlier we talk, the more we can do — whether that’s improving your credit profile, understanding your budget, or putting a plan in place so you’re ready when the right home comes up.

I’d much rather help you prepare early than have you miss out later.

If you’re renting and thinking about buying “sometime soon”, feel free to drop me a message.

☎️ 07773 351471 / 01562 850071
📧 [email protected]
📆 https://linktr.ee/kasia.ostler

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or other debt secured on it.

There may be a fee for mortgage advice at the application stage. The precise amount of the fee will depend upon your circumstances, but will range from £295 to £495, and this will be discussed and agreed with you at the earliest opportunity.

02/05/2026

A lot of people think they need to have everything figured out before speaking to a mortgage adviser…
but honestly, that’s not how it works.

You definitely don’t need perfect credit, perfect savings, or all the answers. You just need to start the conversation….

… and I’m here to guide you through it, explain things in simple words, and help you take the right steps—no matter where you’re starting from.

☎️ 07773 351471 / 01562 850071
📧 [email protected]
📆 https://linktr.ee/kasia.ostler

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or other debt secured on it.

30/04/2026

The Bank of England has held the base rate steady for the third consecutive time at 3.75%.

No change might sound uneventful, but decisions like this can still have a real impact on mortgages, savings, and future plans. Whether you’re wondering what this means for your current deal, thinking about remortgaging, or just trying to make sense of it all, it’s worth staying informed.

If you’ve got questions or just want to talk it through in plain English, feel free to drop me a message.

23/04/2026

🏠 B69 🏠