*LonRes Summer 2025 – Sponsor Content:  Prestige Private Finance, Referrals Directory Supplier.

In prime and super‑prime property, introductions carry weight. The names you bring to the table – solicitors, surveyors, designers, and yes, mortgage brokers- are a reflection of your standards, your judgment, and ultimately, your brand.

Prestige Private Finance have seen firsthand how a misaligned referral can stall or even derail a transaction. But more often, the damage is subtler: a client loses confidence, momentum fades, and you risk looking less decisive.

At this level, clients expect more than a loan—they expect discretion, intelligent structuring, and a service that matches the calibre of the property. Many brokers *can* source a mortgage; very few do so with the nuance, speed, and emotional intelligence the high end demands.

Data Snapshot: Why Expertise Matters

• Prime London pricing: According to LonRes, Q2 2025 shows increased supply and wider discounts—offering strategic chances for well‑prepared buyers. (See full report here.)
• Market dynamics: Rightmove’s May 2025 HPI reports average UK asking prices around £379,517, up 0.6% month-on-month and 1.2% year-over-year.
• Top-tier segment: Rightmove data shows asking prices for “top of the ladder” properties are averaging £698,500, a subtle –0.8% dip month-on-month but +1.3% annually.
• Mortgage activity: UK gross mortgage advances hit £77.6 bn in Q1 2025—a 12.8% quarterly surge, the highest since late 2022.
• Loans: High-LTV lending (above 90%) rose to 6.7%, the highest since 2008.
• Remortgaging wave: The Bank of England forecasts 3.6 million five-year fixes maturing next year, prompting large-scale remortgages.

What Makes a “Safe Pair of Hands”?

Agents often ask: How do I know a mortgage broker is up to the job?
It’s not about lender panels – it’s how they operate:

• Operate with absolute discretion. Whether a public figure buys via a trust or a foreign asset needs hiding until completion, privacy sometimes matters as much as rate.
• Navigate complexity calmly. Layered income, overseas holdings, or 95% LTVs on £700k properties aren’t exceptions – handling them should be routine.
• Act like a partner, not a processor. They should proactively identify blockers, coordinate with solicitors, and preserve timelines – without needing chasing.
• Strengthen your client relationship. A strong mortgage broker makes both you and your client look sharper, more confident, more capable.

Top Tips: What to Look for in a Mortgage Broker Before Referring

1. Ask about high‑value experience. Probe beyond rates: do they mention structuring, privacy, client experience?
2. Test communication. Does a response arrive within 24 hours? If it takes 48, that’s a warning.
3. Pose real scenarios. What if a client has £1 m in US equity, £300k bonuses, a 30‑day exchange target? Their answer reveals depth.
4. Ensure cultural fit. Their style should mirror your professional ethos – not detract from it.
5. Check their network. Can they liaise seamlessly with tax advisors, private bankers, trust lawyers?

Market Insight: Why Finance Matters Early

In today’s market, strategic borrowing is gaining momentum. High-net-worth clients:

• Use mortgages to preserve liquidity, hedge access to leverage, or transition assets – offset and bridging solutions are more common than ever.
• Talk to mortgage brokers well before house-hunting, to align financial strategy with buying timelines, not just after offers have been made.
• But a poor referral at that stage can sow confusion. A well‑chosen specialist brings calm clarity and faster confidence.

“At this level, we’re not just arranging mortgages, we’re protecting reputations. Agents put their name to our service, and we treat that trust with the seriousness it deserves. Discretion, clarity, and calm execution matter just as much as the numbers.” – David Jackson, Founder & Managing Director, Prestige Private Finance

Final Thought

Every referral speaks volumes. In the prime market, where average asking prices exceed £700k, and gross mortgage advances are surging, the wrong mortgage broker can weigh down a deal and your reputation. The right one accelerates business, earns trust, and reinforces your brand as top-tier and thoroughly reliable.

Get in touch with the Prestige Private Finance team for more information on the topics covered in this article:

T: +44 (0)20 3576 3820
E: info@prestigepf.co.uk
W: www.prestigepf.co.uk