Mortgage market update Q&A with Trinity's Sophie Roe

What made you join the mortgage industry?  

I studied property finance and investment at university then moved to London to work in estate agency. Whilst I was at Uni, I worked at Savills part-time in the auction department, which I loved. I worked closely with a mortgage advisor when I moved to London (who I am still very good friends with now!) and she encouraged me to consider it as a career. I loved working in estate agency but felt I wasn’t working to my full potential and missed the financial side of work. I've been at Trinity for just over eight years now. 

You arrange a lot of mortgages but have any deals stood out in particular this year?

Yes, I helped a TV/Film producer arrange his £2.46m mortgage earlier this year. I love one of his TV shows in particular, so it was exciting to work with him and really rewarding to help him and his wife purchase their new family home. He had a mortgage offer issued with another bank before he came to me, but I managed to help him secure a lower rate and they were a lovely couple to work with.

I have also helped a portfolio landlord remortgage five of her buy-to-let properties and purchase her new residential property throughout this year which has helped her to raise funds to carry out home improvements on all of her properties and move in with her partner. She has been absolutely lovely to work with, and I am happy to have helped her.

How do you keep up to date with the almost constant changes in the mortgage market?

I take note of all the lender update emails and read over the Mortgage Strategy magazine daily summary. We also have weekly meetings with the team where we discuss any significant updates to make sure no one missed anything. 

What are the main types of mortgages you currently recommend to clients — and how do you decide which is best for whom?

This really varies but most people have opted for a fixed rate in recent months to give them some certainty in a volatile market. I have recommended a two-year fix to the majority of clients to allow them some flexibility to review options in two years time given we predict rates will be lower, however others suit five-year fixes due to low confidence in the market and a preference to have longer-term certainty.

I also have a number of clients who are looking to sell and purchase a new residential property in 2026, so i have moved them onto tracker rates temporarily to avoid any charges when they come to sell next year.

With recent trends in the UK property market, do you see affordability improving or getting harder for buyers in the next 12 months?

Definitely improving given the recent income multiple increases a few high street lenders have introduced and mortgage rates still seem to be decreasing.

Are there any common pitfalls or misconceptions that clients tend to have when applying for a mortgage?

Some clients don’t realise how their credit can affect their ability to get a mortgage, whether it's their credit score, missed payments, or the level of debt. It is really important to check that your credit is all ok and get an agreement in principle before viewing properties to make sure it is affordable and that you will be considered for a mortgage.

If you were advising a friend looking to buy their first home now, what would your “golden rules” be?

1. Make sure you have checked over your credit report.
2. Get an agreement in principle before you start viewing houses. You don’t want to fall in love with a house to then find it is not affordable!
3. Make sure the monthly mortgage payment is comfortable.
4. Don’t wait around for the ‘right time’ to buy. There is never a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ time. As long as you are comfortable with the monthly payment and managing your finances, then go for it!
5. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions to the estate agent, solicitors or your mortgage broker – no question is ‘silly’! We are here to help make sure you understand everything with regard to your mortgage.

Trinity's Sophie Roe. Call her on 020-3227-3102 or email sophie@trinityfinancialgroup.co.uk.

The information contained within was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change.

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