Visit Chislehurst recently popped into see Gary and the team at Mortgage Evolution for a coffee and a chat to find out a little more about them…….
Can you tell us a little more about you and why ‘mortgages’?
Gary: I have always worked in finance and mortgages was the perfect balance of quick paced environment whilst also helping people. I evolved from starting in conveyancing through to mortgage case management then onto advising so have a full picture of the process. After working at a large brokerage and then self employed it has given me the perspective to get the right balance with Mortgage Evolution where we do the right thing for clients, don’t charge big fees and are extremely pro active and responsive.
Introduce us to your team and tell us one exciting fact about each person!
Paul Martins – experienced residential and Buy to Let broker who is a qualified FA referee at the weekends, he once scored a goal on Soccer AM.
Gareth Richards – experienced Buy to Let, Commercial and Development broker who despite being born in UK is the most Canadian person you will ever meet.
Harry Tancred – is growing in his career advising in mortgages and can do an impression of almost ever accent in the world particularly Welsh
Tracey O’Sullivan – has been in mortgages several years and can sometimes be influenced to do her Travor Brooking and Roy Hodgson impressions
Olly Hughes – progressing is career and hoping to move into trainee broker role soon, Olly once performed a David Bowie song live on BBC Breakfast
What sort of mortgages do you deal with?
Gary: All mortgages from standard residential purchases or remortgages plus complex Buy To Let, Commercial, Bridging and Development lending.
Mortgages always seem so complicated, what are the key things people should look for when they choose a mortgage.
Gary: A knowledgeable mortgage broker… mortgages are not complicated but without advice people can get in a muddle and make the process much harder than in should be. We enable people to buy, release money or invest in property in the most appropriate route for their circumstances.
For people who rent and want to buy, what is the difference in cost and how can you get on the property ladder?
Gary: Lots of lenders now have low deposit products so only 5% needed. We often see gifted deposits from parents to help people get on the ladder. Mortgages in general should be cheaper than renting as the costs are spread over a long period. Subject to age and various factors the mortgage may be the same cost as renting but rarely seen it more.
Many people get a mortgage and then just ‘stick with it’! How often should people revist their mortgage and what are the benefits of doing that?
Gary: Within 3-4 months of the “fixed rate” ending they should seek advice – most people don’t realise that as brokers we can switch their mortgage very simply with the same lender which has no assessment of income etc – sometimes circumstances change and people panic, always seek advice!
What else do ME help with besides mortgages?
Gary: We work with insurance specialists, accountants, estate agents, solicitors, will writers, financial advisors so we can assist with all of these arenas with our trusted network of professional.
If you’d like further mortgage advice, drop the team a call or email and they will be happy to help. Mortgage Evolution are centrally located in the High Street.
