Mortgage Insider

The performance of the UK housing market in 2024 has largely exceeded many people's expectations, although challenges remain for first-time buyers due to house prices increasing and a testing rental market for many. Regional disparities, such as the North-South divide, also continue to influence housing accessibility and affordability for many buyers in pockets of the country.

In this episode of the Barclays Mortgage Insider podcast, host Phil Spencer is joined by Zoopla's Executive Director of Research, Richard Donnell, to discuss the intricacies of the UK housing market over the course of the year and explore what lies ahead in 2025.

They delve into its resilience amid high interest rates and inflation, exploring key topics including the current state of the residential and buy-to-let purchase markets, house price trends, and the rising prominence of professional landlords. They also cover the supply gap, the

impact of affordability checks, and the two-tiered mortgage market, highlighting refinancing, remortgaging and the influence of swap rates.

This instalment offers essential insights to help brokers stay informed on market developments as they prepare for the year ahead.

This episode was recorded on 30th September 2024.

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Allyship is a vital component in advancing diversity and inclusion efforts, as it involves using our privilege to support underrepresented groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals and those within the neurodiversity spectrum. By actively participating in DEI initiatives and mentoring, allies help normalise conversations around representation while providing guidance and opportunities for marginalised communities.

Creating a more equitable world where everyone can thrive through allyship is at the heart of the latest episode of the Barclays Mortgage Insider podcast. This sees host and property expert Phil Spencer joined by Sidney Wager, head of intermediary market development at Barclays, and Aleka Gutzmore, award-winning financial adviser and educator, to discuss how allyship can be defined, perceived and implemented.

As well as covering topics such as the upcoming Barclays Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit and Awards, reverse mentoring and what actions brokers can be taking, the trio outline the importance of curiosity, empowerment, unconscious bias and being active rather than passive.

This makes for an informative, challenging and important discussion on an often underrepresented area of the DEI conversation.

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With a new Labour government in place, an autumn budget and the US election fast approaching, the old suspects of inflation and tax rises still generating much debate, there’s plenty to discuss from an economic standpoint. 

To help break down this complex economic landscape and explore its implications for the intermediary mortgage market, by popular demand, Will Hobbs, Head of Multi-Asset Wealth at Barclays UK Wealth Management, returns to share his insights, clarify key trends and offer expert analysis on what the future holds for the industry. 

With his characteristic optimism and boundless enthusiasm, Will joins host and property expert Phil Spencer to chat about the UK’s position in the global market, the upcoming budget, technological advancements, the lasting impact of the pandemic, housing supply challenges, public sector wages, and why he remains positive about the UK’s economic outlook. 

This detailed assessment provides brokers with valuable perspectives and essential indicators on how to navigate the current economic climate and what to expect in 2025. 

This episode was recorded on 3rd September.

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During a cost of living crisis, the additional expense of life insurance, critical illness, income protection and even protecting a mortgage may seem like an unnecessary burden for homeowners. However, this protection is arguably more crucial than ever.

According to ONS figures, 2.5 million people in the UK are unable to work due to long-term illness, and Cancer Research data indicates that half of us will develop some form of cancer in our lifetime. So, how can mortgage intermediaries help their clients prepare for worst-case scenarios without coming across as if they're making a sales pitch?

Host and property expert Phil Spencer is joined by Barry Kellegher, performance manager at Legal & General, to discuss these three pillars of protection—life insurance, critical illness, and income protection. They explore how these protections differ, how individuals can better safeguard themselves, their loved ones, and their mortgages, and highlight just how tough these conversations can be.

Barry also shares his personal experience of suffering a sudden brain haemorrhage despite being fit and healthy. He explains what brokers can learn from his experience and how they can build deeper client relationships by offering tailored advice on these sensitive topics.

All of which proves to be an emotional, insightful and thought-provoking listen.

This episode was recorded on the 22nd of November.

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Machine learning in finance, the adoption of AI and technology regulation are all hot topics in their own right. Then throw into the mix the potential of automated mortgage advice and what an AI mortgage broker may look like and it's little wonder that intermediary firms across the UK are considering how the role of a broker may change as the AI revolution continues to gather pace. 

So, what exactly does the mortgage intermediary market need to know about AI and how is it going to change the way they do business? This is the question posed by host and property expert Phil Spencer to guests Stuart Cheetham, CEO of Mpowered Mortgages, and Lilia Christofi, Microsoft's banking lead for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, in the latest episode of the award-winning Barclays Mortgage Insider Podcast. 

This leads to an enlightening discussion which explores the differences between machine learning AI and generative AI, the reliance on cultural adoption, how the banking industry is coping with the adoption of AI, the challenges facing legacy platforms, and the ability of AI to increase workflows and enhance customer relations. 

And this is certainly an episode which no forward-thinking broker can afford to miss. 

This episode was recorded in April 2024. 

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So, what are green mortgages?

 

Green mortgages come in many different forms, but all aim to incentivise buyers in the purchase of energy efficient homes or make energy-related improvements.

 

Through increased innovation and rising environmental awareness, green mortgage products are being launched at an ever-increasing rate to incorporate important factors such as decarbonisation, EPC ratings and retrofitting.

With this in mind, the latest episode of the award-winning Barclays Mortgage Insider Podcast sees host and property expert Phil Spencer joined by Kieran Campbell, head of sustainability & customer experience at London and Country and Rachael Hunnisett, associate director for built environment at the Green Finance Institute to help break down exactly how green mortgages work, who can get one, how they are financed and what brokers need to know about them.

The discussion also explores the history of the sector, how brokers can help stimulate demand, the nuances connected with green finance, the state of the current green mortgage market and what the future might look like.

In short, the green mortgage is here to stay and it should be heralded as a good thing. And, as a rapidly evolving area of the mortgage market, it’s imperative for brokers to stay informed about its potential benefits.

We hope this episode helps arm you with the information required to provide your clients with valued insights into this fascinating sector.

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Mortgage brokers have long been experts in dealing with new challenges. Be this in the form of regulation, technology – especially AI –, a worldwide pandemic, rising interest rates and heightened cost of living pressures.

That’s quite a list, but it still doesn’t cover a fraction of the questions being asked of them by their clients in the current financial climate. So, how can brokers adapt their businesses to deal with this ever-changing world? Will AI replace mortgage brokers? And how important is greater collaboration in the industry to ensuring a more seamless homebuying and mortgage journey?

Joining host Phil Spencer to examine how brokers can overcome these testing times is Max North, director at Strategy&, the strategy consulting arm of PWC and Liz Syms, owner and founder of brokerage Connect Mortgages and mortgage network Connect for intermediaries.

The trio talk about the key factors which are impacting brokers’ daily lives and the advice they are giving. This highly illuminating discussion incorporates the magnitude of managing client expectations, the influence of Consumer Duty, the role of intergenerational wealth transfer, the opportunities attached to AI and how brokers can demonstrate their value now, and in the future.

This is an expansive topic which provides many valuable touch points for the intermediary community when it comes to assessing client requirements, as well as the needs of their business going forward.

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In recent times, there’s been much talk around the financial challenges facing the UK population. However, it’s important to remember that financial circumstances can also improve.

Additional, and often unexpected, funds can come in differing forms such as inheritance, insurance payout(s) or even winning the lottery. With inheritance being the most likely scenario, and paying off a mortgage high on the financial planning agenda of many homeowners, this often leads to the question - should I use this inheritance to pay off my mortgage?

The answer to this important question is one of the key talking points in the latest instalment of Barclays Mortgage Insider Podcast which sees host Phil Spencer joined by mortgage broker Carly Cheeseman and content creator, financial adviser and partnership development manager at The Openwork Partnership, Robyn Allen.

This discussion evaluates the options available to people when it comes to planning their financial future, the importance of the advice process, the strength of client relationships and the value of honest communication. It also focuses on the impact of Consumer Duty, how to adopt a more holistic approach and the benefits of attached to offset mortgages.

All with the intention of helping clients to look at the bigger picture rather than focusing on a small window.

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The buy-to-let market has undergone some major challenges and changes in recent years, all of which have impacted landlords and property investors to varying degrees.

Rental yield has long been a vital component within landlord calculations but another increasingly important consideration in recent times has been whether to set up a limited company.

To incorporate or not to incorporate is one of the key talking points in the latest episode of Barclays award-winning Mortgage Insider Podcast. This discussion on the nuances of the current buy-to-let market sees host and property expert Phil Spencer joined by Emily Mays, founder of The Mortgage Stuff and Gina Peters, partner and head of landlord and tenant law at Dutton Gregory Solicitors.

Within this, the trio focus on the stamp duty surcharge, the Renters Reform Bill, opportunities for property investors, short-term and holiday lets, ongoing tax implications, rent-to-rent, how brokers can help buy-to-let clients in 2024 and where to aim their advice.

All of which demonstrates the additional thoughts and planning required by landlords and property investors, as well as the value attached to the advice process in such a complex and fast-paced sector.

This episode was recorded on 22nd November 2023.

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For almost 10 years, the Help to Buy scheme proved incredibly successful in helping over a quarter of a million borrowers across the UK to buy a home. But, with this scheme now having ended in England and Scotland, this leads to the question of what – if anything – can replace it.

In the latest episode of Barclays Mortgage Insider podcast, host Phil Spencer is joined by Mobeen Akram, New Homes Director at the Mortgage Advice Bureau and Mitch Atkins, director at Michael Usher Mortgage Services as they delve into the history of Help to Buy, why it worked, why it ended, alternative buying schemes and the challenges facing young house buyers.

The conversation also highlights some of the government-backed and private schemes currently available to help first-time buyers, including Lifetime ISA’s, the First Homes Scheme and shared ownership. It also touches on individual mortgage products such as Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor, the increasingly prominent role being played by the Bank of Mum and Dad, intergenerational lending and the Barclays Springboard mortgage.

So, what might replace Help to Buy in the future?

This episode was recorded on 24th October 2023 prior to the Autumn Statement and the latest Bank of England base rate decision.

Mortgage Insider is a Fresh Air Production for Barclays created by Julie-Anna Needham and Annie Day with Helen Carter and Sophie Devonport from Barclays. 

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