Finding the right house is exciting and satisfying – finding the right mortgage to fund the home of your dreams is less so and digging down into the detail is best left in the hands of an expert.
Johnson Brooks Mortgage Solutions specialises in providing advice that clients can rely on, which includes helping homeowners search for the most suitable mortgage deal. That could be first time buyers looking to get on the property ladder, those looking to move or re-mortgage, investment buyers or those wanting to build their own home.
Regardless of the circumstances, a specialist with access to whole of market and with a clear understanding of the sector, the requirements of lenders and the range of products available can give clients the peace of mind that they are being offered the most appropriate deal for their individual circumstances.
Lucy Johnson Botta has worked in financial services for more than 25 years, starting in insurance and moving into the mortgage sector as the Eighties house-buying boom took hold. From there, she moved into a role as a mortgage underwriter before moving into sales. It was a natural progression to set up her own business five years ago, giving her the flexibility to offer a bespoke service.
“I was looking for a new challenge and knew that I had a great deal to offer, having seen mortgages from all angles – from the ‘back office’ side where you get to know and understand the processes in depth, through working for a lender and my time in sales,” said Lucy. “All that experience is invaluable in offering the level of advice people need and want.”
Based in Bedford, Johnson Brooks Mortgage Solutions aims to provide a personal service that is very much based on getting to know clients, their needs and aspirations and, where appropriate, the specific issues they face in getting finance, and advising on how best to proceed.
The majority of clients are looking for a competitive deal and can inevitably achieve this via a broker rather than simply looking online or approaching a lender directly. A mortgage is a significant financial commitment and having expert guidance is a must.
Lucy added: “Every homeowner wants to get the most suitable deal and going through a broker opens up possibilities you won’t get through a lender. There are so many products, it is almost impossible to know for certain that you’re getting the right one just by using comparison websites and the like.
“By building up a rapport with my clients, understanding what stage of their lives they are at, their attitude to risk, their personal circumstances, I can help them find something that works for them.
“At the same time, there are specific circumstances that don’t need to be an issue if you approach the right lender through a broker. So, for instance, it might be something a little more complicated like shared ownership or buy-to-let mortgages, or considerably more complicated, like self-build. For the client, it might be that they are self-employed or a contractor, or have issues with credit. None of those need to be a barrier to borrowing money, there are lenders who will work round those issues, but they will only usually do it with a broker that understands the situation and can provide all the relevant information.”
Johnson Brooks Mortgage Solutions will help homeowners or prospective homeowners find the most suitable and competitive mortgage, saving them time and money by doing all the ‘leg work’. The initial conversation with Lucy is free of charge, with the client only starting to pay fees once the groundwork is done and the process of finding a mortgage begins.
From there, Lucy will act on the client’s behalf in any negotiations and ensure the client understands any decisions that are made and the criteria behind them. Johnson Brooks Mortgage Solutions also offers advice on products from a leading panel of insurers, including building and contents insurance, life and critical illness insurance, income protection and redundancy insurance. Lucy has close working relationships with estate agents, property lawyers and commercial, bridging and lifetime mortgage providers, where clients have a need for such services.
Once a mortgage is in place, Lucy will remain in contact with the client to ensure everything is going well, and to remind them of upcoming renewal dates and the need to make sure they continue to benefit from the most beneficial rates and products.
“Regular reviews are important at any time, but over the past year or so I’ve taken time to check with my clients that their circumstances haven’t changed in the light of the pandemic, and that they are still able to meet their payments and aren’t struggling financially,” said Lucy. “People need to get to know you and trust that you are looking after their interests.”
To find out more email lucy@johnsonbrooks.co.uk or call 07703 828663
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Your home (or property) may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other loans secured on it.
Johnson Brooks Mortgage Solutions, a trading name of Lucy Johnson Botta, is an appointed representative of HL Partnership Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial
Conduct Authority.
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