Simon Rock - Mortgage and Protection Advisor

13/09/2026

🏡 Which Approach Would You Take?

You’ve been searching for weeks. You finally find the one.
Same property. Same asking price. Same buyer circumstances.
But two very different approaches 👇

🏠 Approach 1 — Speak to a mortgage broker after finding the property
You find the property and immediately want to make an offer.
Then comes the mortgage conversation.
How much can you borrow?
Which lenders could work for you?
What will the monthly payments look like?
Do you need an AIP?
Will your income be acceptable?
You may still be able to proceed, but you're now trying to get everything organised after finding the property.
If there are other interested buyers who are already financially prepared, you could find yourself under pressure to move quickly.

🔑 Approach 2 — Speak to a mortgage broker before finding the property
You find the exact same property.
But this time, you've already had your circumstances assessed, you understand your potential budget and you have an Agreement in Principle (AIP) ready.
You can approach the estate agent, make an offer and demonstrate that you've already taken steps to understand your mortgage position.
You're prepared and ready to react when the right property comes along.

💡 The property might be the same — but being prepared can make the experience very different.

An AIP isn't a guarantee that your mortgage will be approved, but getting advice early can help you understand your position and identify any potential issues before you're emotionally invested in a property.

So, which approach would you take?

From your initial enquiry to picking up the keys, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

30/07/2026

🎉 Good News for Homebuyers and Homeowners!

The Bank of England has announced that the Base Rate will remain unchanged at 3.75%.

While some people were hoping for a rate cut today, there's still plenty of positivity to take from the announcement.

✅ Stability brings confidence.

For buyers, movers and homeowners, a stable Base Rate helps create a more predictable mortgage market. It also allows lenders to continue competing for business, which is exactly what we've been seeing over recent months.

We've already witnessed many lenders reducing mortgage rates and introducing new products, despite today's Base Rate remaining the same.

If you're thinking about:

🏡 Buying your first home
🔑 Moving house
💷 Remortgaging
📈 Reviewing your current deal

Now is still a fantastic time to explore your options.

Remember, the Bank of England Base Rate is only one factor that influences mortgage pricing. The best mortgage for you depends on your individual circumstances and the products available across the market.

As a whole-of-market mortgage broker, we're here to help you find the right solution—not just today's headline.

📩 If you've been waiting to see today's announcement before making your next move... consider this your sign to start the conversation.

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

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15/07/2026

My clients were on the way to pick up the keys to their new home and found the time to send me this lovely message. It's always nice to feel appreciated and as I keep saying. This is reason I love doing my job, to make a difference and to help my clients achieve their homeownership goals.
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13/07/2026

Another 5 star review!
It's always nice to get feedback and to know you have made a difference. This is why I love doing my job!

05/07/2026

People often ask me why I love being a mortgage adviser, and the answer is actually quite simple.
It's because every mortgage is more than just numbers and paperwork. It's someone's first home. A growing family's next chapter. A fresh start. A dream they've worked incredibly hard for.
One of my favourite moments is getting that phone call from a client telling me they've got the keys to their new home. The excitement in their voice is something I'll never get tired of hearing.
The same goes for when a remortgage completes. You can literally hear the relief on the other end of the phone, knowing we've helped make things a little easier and taken away a huge weight from their shoulders.
Not every case is straightforward, and that's one of the things I enjoy most. Finding solutions when things aren't simple and helping people who thought they might not have any options is incredibly rewarding.
Over time, clients become much more than just names on a file. You build relationships, you're there for different milestones in their lives, and it's a privilege that they trust you to guide them through such important decisions.
At the end of the day, it's never just about arranging a mortgage. It's about helping people move forward with confidence and being a small part, of one of the biggest moments in their lives.
That's why I genuinely love what I do!

03/07/2026

People often ask me why I love being a mortgage adviser, and the answer is actually quite simple.
It's because every mortgage is more than just numbers and paperwork. It's someone's first home. A growing family's next chapter. A fresh start. A dream they've worked incredibly hard for.
One of my favourite moments is getting that phone call from a client telling me they've got the keys to their new home. The excitement in their voice is something I'll never get tired of hearing.
The same goes for when a remortgage completes. You can literally hear the relief on the other end of the phone, knowing we've helped make things a little easier and taken away a huge weight from their shoulders.
Not every case is straightforward, and that's one of the things I enjoy most. Finding solutions when things aren't simple and helping people who thought they might not have any options is incredibly rewarding.
Over time, clients become much more than just names on a file. You build relationships, you're there for different milestones in their lives, and it's a privilege that they trust you to guide them through such important decisions.
At the end of the day, it's never just about arranging a mortgage. It's about helping people move forward with confidence and being a small part of one of the biggest moments in their lives.
That's why I genuinely love what I do. 🏡❤

30/06/2026

Back to it after a fantastic weekend at the Shrewsbury Food Festival! 🌞🍔🏡

It was great to spend the weekend catching up with so many familiar faces, meeting lots of new people, and working alongside the brilliant team at Monks Estate & Letting Agents.

Now it’s back to the office, coffee in hand, and helping clients with their mortgage and protection needs. ☕💻

One thing people often say to me is…

“I didn’t realise you could help us from Devon!”

The truth is, although our office is now based on the beautiful Devon coast, we help clients all over the UK every single week.

Whether you’re in:
🏡 Devon
🌊 Cornwall
🌄 Wales
🏘 Shropshire
🏙 Staffordshire
🌆 Stoke-on-Trent
🏭 Greater Manchester
🏙 London
📍 Or anywhere else in the UK…

Modern technology means we can complete the entire mortgage process through:
📞 Phone
💻 Video calls
📧 Email
📱 WhatsApp

So whether you’ve been referred by one of our fantastic estate agency partners, met us at an event like the Shrewsbury Food Festival, or simply found us online, we’re only ever a call or message away.

No matter where you are, we’re here to help make your mortgage happen.

Now… time to work through the emails that built up over the weekend! 😄

Have a great week, everyone!

27/06/2026

27/06/2026

Now and again you have to have a break from the norm!
Today we are at the Shrewsbury Food Festival having fun!
Spin the wheel and win a Prize!
Come and say hello if you’re attending!
Have a fantastic weekend everyone!