2021 has been a hectic year for the industry, and the festive period offers the perfect opportunity to take a breath, eat, drink, be merry and recharge our batteries for what is sure to be an equally busy 2022.

The Stamp Duty Holiday, its subsequent extension and heightened competition across the entire mortgage market resulted in sustained activity levels throughout the year. Although an expected lull has occurred within the mainstream purchase market since the end of September deadline, activity in the buy-to-let and more specialist mortgage markets has remained strong.

Although there is no denying the current uncertainty around Omicron and the potential ‘tidal wave’ currently facing the UK, from a pure housing and mortgage market perspective we can look ahead with plenty of confidence. From a company standpoint, there has been a leadership change but, from an operational perspective, it’s been business as usual when it comes to supporting a range of clients, strategic partners and a host of lenders.

Looking forward, more opportunities will continue to present themselves and with a huge number of fixed rates maturing and the Bank of England base rate rising, an increasing number of homeowners and landlords will look to take advantage of what will remain a highly competitive remortgage market. 

As an increasing number of lenders enter this marketplace, criteria continues to shift, propositions evolve and complexity amplifies, the value of the advice process will also rise for a host of borrowers. We are looking ahead with a huge amount of optimism and a great sense of excitement around servicing a host of borrowing needs in 2022.

Let us take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support over the course of 2021 and wish you a very merry Christmas and a healthy, prosperous New Year.