DTCS Financial Ltd - Dan Saxton - Independent Mortgage & Insurance Adviser

02/10/2026

Anyone whose ever worked with me, or followed my nonsense here on Facebook, will know I flippin' hate pressure to make a decision about your mortgage - be that from an estate agent, a bank, or any mortgage broker (including me!). It's a big thing, and you should take your time... but, today, I've had two meetings when the lender (two different ones!) has advised us they're increasing their rates this evening... so, the poor clients have got to make a decision fast (which I don't like to suggest) OR they have to pay more for the luxury of sleeping on it... I know there's got to be a cut off point, but, it feels PANTS!! And big, unpleasant, old pants, in which the elastic has gone and they get wedged in your bum!!

Anyway... that's that off my chest!!

Have a fabulous weekend you fabulous people!!!

Dan "Don't rush my clients" Saxton

xXx

02/10/2026

Hello you lot! Well, it's been a bit quiet on the page for a while, but I'm still here working away! There's some exciting news in the pipeline, but, for today, I thought I'd share this year's regulatory bill with you... coupled with Professional Indemnity Insurance, the Financial Conduct Authority bill, and other services and software, it costs quite a lot each month just to exist as a little financial advice firm - not just me, but all mortgage advice firms face these charges.

I'm absolutely not moaning as we need a well funded regulator, and, of course we need insurance in case of any mistakes... just a little insight into the fact that if your mortgage adviser seems to be earning a lot of commission (usually 0.3% or so of the amount you borrow), if the monthly bills to keep the business going are £1,500 per month, we've got to advise on and arrange about £500,000 of mortgage funding each month before we break even! :o

That's a bit of a daft comparison as, of course, we charge fees and earn money from insurance and other stuff, but, it's a little insight into the reality behind the scenes

31/08/2026

It’s coming up to two years since we moved out of the office in the middle of Pontyclun, and switched to being home based down the road in Llanharry, but, the beautiful hand painted window remains safe and secure in storage ❤️❤️

It’s important to embrace change, but, I think, it’s equally important to cherish the journey so far too.

Thank you to all you wonderful clients who continue to trust me, and DTCS Financial Ltd for your mortgage and insurance advice needs ❤️❤️ Dan x

28/08/2026

Well, I can't quite believe it, but, my old downstairs neighbour, for many years whilst I had the office in Pontyclun, is retiring! Fullbrook's Bistro has been, and still is for a couple more weeks, an amazing place to eat in Pontyclun.

Simon and I teased each other, annoyed each other, reassured each other, and talked each other through tense moments during the madness of lockdown, generally finding common ground in the pestering of that scamp about town, Mr Cole, at Pipeworks Bar... but, above all, I feel lucky to have got to know the lovely owners of Fullbrook's Bistro, and can call them friends.... well... "pals"... well... "acquaintances"... well... "a grumpy bloke I met, and his lovely wife and daughter"... ;)

Loads to love to Simon, Ann, and your lovely family

Big news announcement ………
After 36 years in the hospitality industry we are finally calling time! We’re retiring, it’s been an absolute blast, had some great times and met some lovely people.
We’d like to say a big thank you to all our lovely customers, old and new. Thanks for all your support over the years. A massive shout out to all our amazing staff old and new. A special thanks to my right hand man Dale, couldn’t have done it without you buddy 🥰
Our last day of trading will be Sunday 13th September, no doubt we will see you around the village! 👋
Keep your eyes 👀 peeled for a new an exciting business taking over the building. You will not be disappointed, they will be a great and exciting addition to the street for all you foodies!

12/06/2026

Forgive me if I have a little rant... Almost every client I've had this year, who is selling their property, has been told by the estate agent that their offer is from a "cash buyer" who can proceed immediately, and is mega keen.

This week, yet another THREE of these "cash buyers" have pulled out as they can't get the funds together, or can't / won't proceed, leaving my clients months into a sale and purchase without a buyer.

Yes, there are SOME cash buyers out there, but not that many.

A true cash buyer has the cash. Ready.

It's NOT a "cash buyer" if they've a property to sell.
It's NOT a "cash buyer" if they're raising the money against another property they own.
It's NOT a "cash buyer" if they're just waiting for an inheritance which hasn't actually cleared probate and been given to them.

A cash buyer should be able to show you (or the estate agent or a solicitor) the funds in an account, in their name.

People can change their minds, of course, and estate agents can be mislead by people too (so I'm not saying they're making it up or indulging in sharp practice as this affects them badly too), but, this is happening so often it makes you wonder what can be done to protect genuine people trying to move home from what does seem to be a growing trend of misinformation somewhere up the line.

02/05/2026

This was a fabulous treat to receive on a Saturday lunchtime!! Always a pleasure to work with my lovely clients ❤️❤️

14/04/2026

THIS is what makes my job worthwhile!! Seeing people who have trusted me for years, put advice into action, and achieve their goals. This lovely chap has worked so hard, and overpaid his mortgage, and is now mortgage free at age 42!!!! No silver spoon, no big gifts or inheritance, just hard work and sensible financial decisions. (The message looks a little odd as I've hidden some information and my skills with mortgages are better than they are with photo editing... and, apparently, spelling the word "and" in my reply!! Haha!!)

Great end to a VERY busy Tuesday!

Dan xXx

26/03/2026

MY THOUGHTS ON FIXED RATES:

Over the past two or three years, we've been told by the media, financial experts, and even the Bank of England, that interest rates were probably going to fall, with some stories suggesting this would be much, much faster than we've seen from the 5.25% in mid-2024 to the 3.75% we have now. However, the world has a funny way of throwing in a plot-twist now and then, and now we're being told to expect rate increases by those same media outlets and experts!

Whilst the Bank of England base rate isn't directly linked to mortgage fixed rates, it is definitely an influence.

So, why have I still often been recommending longer term fixed rates to my clients, despite the fact there were some forecast cuts, so they might miss out on savings?!

The reason is simple - your mortgage is very probably on your home... where you, and maybe your family, live. That's a pretty important place!

Yes, sometimes, if people have a huge capacity to cope with any interest rate increases, or they have a really small mortgage so rates don't affect it as much (say, like a little further advance "pot"), have a portfolio of properties so we can spread risk, or other situations, like a planned move or something, it can be a good thing to have a tracker rate, or a short term fixed rate... but... on the whole... my advice is not to gamble with your family home.

Yes, all fixed rates, even the longer ones of five years or more, DO come to an end, and you might get a higher rate, but, in five years, you've had more time to become more financially established, for inflation to have eroded the value of your mortgage debt, for the mortgage to have reduced, and for your income to have increased with even just inflation-linked increases.

A lot of my income comes from helping you with your re-mortgages / new-deals. Typically, I (or any other adviser - even online ones) will earn commission of:

* About 0.2% on a rate switch with your current lender, so about £200 if you owe £100,000 (Not a fortune, but, covers my costs)
* About 0.35% on a re-mortgage to a new lender, so about £350 if you owe £100,000 (A little more as it's a lot more work for me (or another adviser))

We, advisers, can also charge fees for our advice. Locally, I know of firms charging anywhere between £0 and over £1,000 for re-mortgages. My own fee is £nil for a rate switch for existing clients, and £379 for a residential re-mortgage, so I'm toward the lower end of that scale.... AND... I will generally be suggesting you take a deal which means I won't see you about your mortgage (unless you want to move or something) for five years...

I COULD suggest you take a really short term deal, and earn some more money much sooner... but... I don't do that.

My advice is, always, what I think the best thing is for you. I can't see into the future, nor can I tell you what the right thing is to do, but I can 'advise' you, and you can accept, or reject, my advice... it always comes from a good place, an experienced place, and a place that wants the very best outcome for YOU.

Yes, short term fixed rates CAN mean you save money if rates drop, but, if you can afford it at the current rate, maybe, it might often me the best idea to not risk you NOT being able to afford it in two years if the next plot twist comes sooner than we think.

Dan xXx

16/03/2026

With mortgage rates a little more volatile recently, it can be more important to plan ahead, but not to panic! So, to help you know what happens and when, here's a little info on when an interest rate is secured:

* WHEN GETTING A NEW DEAL: If your current rate is coming to an end, we can (usually) secure you a new rate with your CURRENT lender around FOUR months before the current one ends. If you're properly panicked about rates going up, usually, the only way to secure a rate further ahead than this is by us applying in full to a DIFFERENT lender as this can, usually, be done SIX months before your current deal ends (but, there are costs involved in this - not huge, but, perhaps not something worth doing unless you're really, reeeally a worrier). 👍👍If I organised your current mortgage, or we've ever worked together before, email me and we'll get you booked in for a review around four months ahead of your current deal ending 👍👍

* WHEN BUYING A PROPERTY: I always suggest we sort the mortgage figures before you start viewing properties, so you know your budget, and we can confirm lenders are minded to give you a mortgage, but, usually, we can't secure the mortgage deal itself (so, the actual rate) until you have found a property, had an offer accepted, and we've had all your paperwork so we can get the full application in. The most common hold up here is paperwork... when we apply for the mortgage. There are really strict rules on work I need to do on the lender's behalf pre-submission (like checking your income etc), so I reeeeeeeeally need all the paperwork before I can secure the rate for you.

* WHEN YOU'VE WON THE LOTTERY AND ARE PAYING YOUR MORTGAGE OFF: Mortgage rates will be of no concern to you at all, you lucky little scamp... also, if this is the case, remember I take a size large in my crate of luxury red w**e ;)

**REMEMBER: If a news story, or anything on social media, about mortgage rates scares you, often the worst thing to do is rush into something or panic. Just breathe deeply, remember drama gets clicks, and if you'd like some reassurance and we work together (now or any time) just pop me an email to ask and I'll try to get back to you within a day or so with a little calming email-based-cuddle

02/03/2026

Afternoon,

What a lovely and busy start to the week it's been so far! Today's post is to explain something which might feel a little odd...

Some of my lovely clients, new or old, will say, "You just sort it - whatever is best, I'm happy with". This is LOVELY because it shows so much trust and faith in me and my advice, BUT (always a "but" right?!) I can't just "do it" in most circumstances...

So, why not? If I know what I'm doing, why can't I just sort you a mortgage or insurance package and get on with it? The reasons are:

* I'm authorised as a mortgage and insurance ADVISER. This means, I have to give you advice, based on your own situation, needs, priorities, beliefs and so on... which is why I have to check in with you about all these things (and why it's rarely a "quick call" or a "quick quote" when you speak with someone who offers advice)

* I'm ethically bound to make sure you understand what I'm doing, and why I'm doing it... even if you think it's really boring :p I'll always try to keep it brief, and will tailor the amount of information / level of detail to your preferences as far as possible, but, if anyone says "What did Dan recommend, and why?" and your answer is "Erm, I don't know, he just sorts it all for me!", I'd be in trouble - even if you were happy!

* The third one, is the only one which applies to me because I've chosen it (rather than regulations), and it's that I want to work with you... anyone who trusts me, should have confidence to continue doing so. Your personal finances and financial security matter to me, so it's a journey we take together. Whether you like to drive, to navigate, or just to sit in the back seat, we're in the same car, and we all need to know what's happening (or, if you're from Barry Island, 'what's occurring') ;)

Lots of love,

Dan xXx