The role of Mortgage Advisor

Disha Assawa

Aug '23

Navigating through the home loan process can be an arduous task, especially if the home buyer doesn't have a trusted expert on their side.

That's where mortgage advisers come in.

As a mortgage advisor, you need to have an overview of the entire lending landscape. A mortgage advisor provides invaluable guidance to those who are considering buying or refinancing a home - from understanding all of your options and helping you choose the best product for your specific needs, to managing all aspects of closing on a new house.

In this article, we’ll discuss exactly what a mortgage adviser does and how they can benefit potential homeowners in any situation.

What is a mortgage advisor and what do they do?

A mortgage advisor is an expert who specialises in giving mortgage advice to help secure funding for your home purchase.

This is crucial because a home purchase is probably the single most important and expensive purchase that a person or a family may make in their lifetime.

As a mortgage advisor, you will work as an intermediary between financial institutions and borrowers, helping you to find the best mortgage deal that suits your individual needs.

They are also referred to as a 'mortgage broker', and their role is to guide you through the home-buying process by offering valuable advice and support.

Mortgage advisors are responsible for a number of things, including:

Building trust:

In-person meetings with clients provide a level of comfort and security to clients. It helps mortgage advisors read body language, get a sense of their client's personality and see how they react to information

By meeting clients in person, you'll show that you value their business, and are willing to go the extra mile to ensure that they receive the best possible service.

Understanding their financial backgrounds and situations:

By meeting clients in person, you'll be able to ask detailed questions about their financial backgrounds and situations.

This will help you determine the most appropriate financial products that will meet your client's financial position.

Understanding a client's financial situation and objectives is key to securing their trust and ultimately their business.

Explaining mortgage products in person:

Clients can ask questions, and you can use visual aids to make the process more understandable.

With an in-person meeting, you'll be able to take the time to ensure the client has a clear understanding of the different products offered by mortgage lenders, their advantages and disadvantages, and how they will support their financial objectives.

Carrying out financial checks:

To ensure the client can afford their mortgage, you'll need to carry out affordability checks.

You can ensure they are providing accurate information and ask the necessary follow-up questions. Face-to-face meetings also allow you to explain how repayments and mortgage protection work in greater detail, which will further assure clients that they will be confident to maintain their payments throughout the life of a mortgage.

Skills required to become a mortgage advisor

To consider a career as a mortgage advisor, there are specific qualifications or licenses you need to obtain before you can offer advice to clients.

The most common qualification is CeMAP. CeMAP stands for Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice, and it's a rigorous certification that covers a wide range of topics related to the industry.

Passing the CeMAP exam can help you gain diversified knowledge and prepare with certain skills required to become a mortgage adviser.

Knowledge of mortgage industry regulation:

Knowing the rules and guidelines governing mortgage advice and practice, including the regulatory framework and legislation governing the industry is important to become an mortgage adviser.
Analytical and problem-solving capabilities:

A mortgage adviser or a mortgage broker helps clients with their financial situations. Critical thinking skills play a crucial role in this process. They evaluate mortgage products to identify the best possible solutions for their clients.
Sales and negotiations skills:

A mortgage broker is skilled at selling mortgage products and negotiating terms with mortgage lenders for their clients. They have excellent persuasion and influencing skills, which allow them to secure advantageous mortgage deals.

Apart from these skills, time management, organisational skills, attention to detail, and ethical and professional conduct can also be learnt in the CeMAP modules.

The benefits of working as a mortgage advisor

When it comes to getting a mortgage, the process can be overwhelming and confusing for homebuyers.

That's why working with a mortgage advisor can be incredibly beneficial. With their expert knowledge and experience, they can provide valuable mortgage advice and help navigate the often complex world of mortgages.

There are various benefits of working as a mortgage advisor:

Practice as an independent mortgage advisor

Unlike mortgage brokers who may only have access to certain lenders, mortgage advisers are independent and have access to the entire market, ensuring you get the best deal possible. They can also work alongside estate agents, making the home buying process smoother and more streamlined.

Better interpersonal skills

Whether working for a bank or building society, a mortgage broker or independently, you'll get to use your interpersonal and analytical skills to help people secure their dream home.

As the demand for mortgage advice continues to grow, you can be sure that your skills will always be in high demand.

Market knowledge

Working as a mortgage advisor offers many advantages, and among them is the benefit of having extensive market knowledge. As a mortgage advisor, you will have access to a wealth of information about mortgage lenders and the various mortgage advice options available to clients.

Job prospectus of a Mortgage Advisor in the UK

The role of a mortgage advisor has never been more important. As a mortgage advisor in the UK, you would be responsible for providing mortgage advice and offering guidance to individuals seeking to secure a mortgage.

You would work closely with mortgage brokers, estate agents, bank or building society and lenders to ensure that your clients receive the best possible mortgage deal.

With experience, you could progress to become a specialist mortgage advisor or even set up your own business.

Job prospects for mortgage advisors in the UK can be favorable due to several factors:

Growing demand.
Regulatory requirements.
Expanding mortgage market.
Changing demographic trends.
Professional development opportunities.
Career progression and earning potential.
Flexibility and work-life balance.
Networking and collaboration.

There can be significant variations in job prospects based on a variety of factors, such as location, market conditions, and individual abilities and qualifications.

Further qualifications can provide employers with valuable insights into an individual's employability and job prospects.

How much does a Mortgage Advisor make?

Many individuals dream of becoming their own boss, and for those with a knack for numbers and a passion for helping others, becoming an independent financial advisor may be the perfect career choice.

As a mortgage adviser, one can expect to earn a lucrative salary, with a median salary of around £34,000 according to the Payscale. However, this number can increase significantly based on an advisor's experience and skill level.

Additionally, the demand for mortgage advisors has only increased over the years, as more and more individuals seek help navigating the complex world of mortgage application.

Is a mortgage advisor different from a solicitor?

In this industry, two professionals can help with the process of buying your dream home – a mortgage advisor and a solicitor. While both can help your dream come true, their roles and areas of expertise are quite different.

A mortgage advisor specialises in providing guidance on the financial aspect of purchasing a property, including how much you can afford to borrow and what mortgage options are available to you. They are equipped with market knowledge and can help you navigate the mortgage application process.

A solicitor, on the other hand, is focused on legal aspects of property ownership, such as ensuring the transfer of ownership is done correctly and conducting necessary searches to uncover any potential legal issues.

Both are invaluable allies when it comes to buying a home, but it's important to understand the distinction between the two.

What qualifications do you need to be a mortgage advisor?

To become a successful mortgage advisor, you may obtain the necessary qualifications. These may vary depending on the country and region in which you will be operating, but typically, you will need to hold relevant qualifications such as a CeMAP or the equivalent.

Some of the other qualifications are as follows:

Competent Advisor Status (CAS).
ipFA (Diploma for Financial Advisers).
Certificate in Regulated Equity Release (CeRER).
Certificate in Financial Planning (CFP).

Additionally, it is important to have a thorough understanding of interest rates, as well as the various products and lenders available in the market.

Most importantly, as an independent advisor, you must be able to assess your client's needs and match them with the right mortgage.

With the right qualifications and a commitment to delivering exceptional service, you can establish a successful career in the world of mortgages.

Is it worth becoming a Mortgage Advisor?

A mortgage advisor can be an incredibly rewarding career choice for those interested in finance and assessing others to achieve their homeownership goals. Becoming a mortgage advisor gives you an opportunity to work closely with clients to guide them to find the right mortgage and secure financing.

One may also work as a mortgage administrator for a financial institution, bank or building society or as an independent mortgage broker, helping clients to find the best possible loan terms.

While the mortgage industry can be competitive, there is always a high demand for skilled mortgage advisors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the role of a mortgage advisor is crucial during the home-buying process. They offer valuable advice on mortgage options that suit your financial situation and guide you through the entire process to ensure you have a seamless experience.

Ultimately, working with a mortgage advisor could be the difference between getting approved for a home loan or not, so it's always a worthy investment!

If you want more information about CeMAP Course, you can contact us at +44 (0) 20 3198 7700 or visit our Mortgage Course.