The Mortgage Fixer

01/09/2026

This week I’m waving goodbye to long days, settling the kids into a new school routine, noticing a bit of a nip in the morning air and seeing an uptick in pumpkin / maple flavoured goods… 🍁🎃☕

Here is a quick roundup of what’s been happening in the market over the busy summer period:

• The average house price in Scotland rose to £195k in June representing an annual increase of 2.3%, with property values in Scotland slightly ahead of the total UK average annual increase of 2%.

• Commuting regions within striking distance of Edinburgh and Glasgow continue to show strong growth with Fife, Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, Stirling and Dunbartonshire all seeing annual house price rises above 6%.

• The MPC voted to hold the Bank of England base rate steady at 3.75% at the past two committee meetings in June and July – and is mostly expected (but not guaranteed) to remain unchanged at the next review scheduled for 17th September.

• Inflation rose from 2.3% in June to 2.9% in July, moving further away from the Bank of England’s target of 2% - geopolitical tensions have been contributing to higher food and energy prices, adding further pressure to household budgets.

• Fixed rates have been a bit of a mixed bag due to rising funding costs for lenders: Rate reductions in June, increases in July, reductions in August – creating an unwelcome moving target for borrowers over the summer.

• For new borrowers with a 10% deposit, the UK average two year base rate tracker is now around 4.71% compared with the average two year fixed rate of around 5.21% (actual interest rates depend on lender, LTV and product fees).

I will be looking at my renewals list this week, so any clients shortly rolling off their current deal will be hearing from me over the next few days.

New clients are always very welcome - please do get in touch for any help with mortgage needs:

[email protected] / 07564189224

27/07/2026

"Do I need a broker?"

If you have perfect credit, non-complicated income, a decent deposit and buy a traditional home, then you probably don't NEED a broker, but you might still WANT one for ultimate convenience and time saving. Anything else and you absolutely do need a broker to help you out.

"What does a broker even do?"

The short answer is advice, research and paperwork. I sift through criteria, check eligibility and pricing BEFORE credit search is carried out. I will recommend a deal that is specifically suited to your personal circumstances. I will speak to underwriters and solicitors to keep the process moving along. I will appeal a decline decision if I think you've been turned away unfairly. I will keep on top of your interest rates going forward. I will happily answer ALL of your questions.

"What will it cost me to use a broker?"

Usually I don't charge a fee, but occasionally I will charge a small broker fee of £250 depending on case complexity and loan size. Any deviation on fees is discussed and agreed upfront. Other brokers have different fee structures - always ask if your upfront costs aren't immediately clear.

[email protected] / 07564 189224

18/07/2026

I'm back to work on Monday 20th July after a fabulous holiday in the French Riviera.

My diary is fully booked until the following Monday 27th July - super busy week ahead!

I will shortly to respond to all e-mails and messages received over the past ten days while I've been away.

[email protected] / 07654189224

07/07/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 The First Homes Fund in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

If you are a first-time buyer in Scotland and could use that extra wee boost with your deposit then don't delay as the scheme will close to new applicants as soon as funding runs out.

Any questions - please do get in touch - 07564189224 / [email protected].

See also https://www.mygov.scot/first-homes-fund for full details.

04/07/2026

As I don't have a traditional office, I regularly get asked where I'm based, and it's here in sunny Dalgety Bay. I'm extremely fortunate to have been able to call this lovely wee town my home for the past twenty odd years (even though we don't have a Waitrose or a B&M - yet!)

This week I've had conversations with clients from as far away as Wick, Belfast and Bath. Thankfully geography doesn't limit the scope of my client base in these modern times - so it doesn't matter if you aren't local to me, get booked in for a zoom and I look forward to finding out more about the place you would like to call home.

[email protected] / 07564189224

27/05/2026

The Scottish Government has today announced the return of the First Home Fund next month - a much welcomed boost to first time buyers with up to £10k contribution towards a deposit in return for a share of the property's equity.

This was extremely popular the last time around - more details to follow!

50,000 first-time buyers supported in this parliament.

25/05/2026

Being declined for a mortgage can be devastating, but a good broker with the right skills can often turn a decline into an approval.

Half the challenge is understanding what the issue is, where the hard policy limits are, and which lenders can offer a more flexible / human approach to underwriting.

I'm a big advocate of second opinions because a no isn't always a no if you know what you're doing.

If you've been refused a mortgage and feel stuck then please get in touch for an informal chat - a fresh set of eyes could make all the difference!

[email protected] / 07564189224

15/04/2026

⭐⭐ Happy birthday to me! ⭐⭐

In my first year of doing this job on my own I've completed a whopping £16,197,361 of new borrowings for my wonderful clients.

This is not just a shameless brag, but also a reminder to myself that I am actually good at what I do despite the creeping imposter syndrome!

I've helped numerous people throughout different stages of their home ownership journey: First-time buyers, newlyweds, separating couples, upsizing growing families, downsizing empty nesters, landlord investors, new deals galore. I've helped people move their ageing parents in with them for end of life care. I've helped people with impaired credit get their foot on the first rung of the ladder.

I've laughed, I've cried, I've sworn an awful lot at the google business profile verification team who don't think I am a real business.

Thank you to all of my supporters, friends, family and clients who have trusted me with their homes over the past year. I genuinely could not live my life the way I want to without all of you excellent people. 🥰🙏

I think I feel a little birthday competition coming on... 👀

08/04/2026

Question: “How long should I lock in my new interest rate?”

Answer: “It depends.”

Everybody wrangles with the 2yr vs 5yr dilemma, even moreso when global economic pressures are creating financial uncertainty and big media headlines.

Ignore the creeping sense of panic and doom, and try to approach the ‘how long’ question rationally and with perspective. Consider:

- How big is my actual mortgage balance?
- What does a rate increase mean in terms of pounds?
- Do I have enough income to absorb an increase?
- Is my income secure or is a drop in earnings expected?
- Will I want to move home in the foreseeable future?
- Am I likely to pay off a large chunk of my mortgage?
- What if rates fell and I had to wait longer to switch deal?
- If rates went up sooner, would it be a total disaster?
- Is peace of mind more important than the lowest rate?
- Would I rather focus on other things than worry about my mortgage rate?
- What is the upper limit for where my payments would stop feeling manageable?
- How high would my mortgage rate need to rise to reach that threshold?

The answer is different for everyone and every outcome carries an element of risk.

You can manage the risk and find balance by focusing on things within your control.

Protect your income, reduce your debt, increase your savings, curb your spending.

Get comfortable with the ‘what-ifs’ and move on. Catastrophising does not help.

If in doubt, have a chat with your local friendly mortgage adviser (me!)

07564189224 / [email protected]

(Unrelated: pigeon of judgement.)

04/02/2026

Unavoidable processing delays at The Mortgage Fixer on a Wednesday afternoon.