Q. What’s a typical day like in the life of Rachel Geddes
A. Crazy!! I get to the office for 7.30am and my day begins with emails and admin on new cases, usually I will have 3 - 4 client meetings in my diary throughout the day. I then have new quotes to write for clients, get cases agreed in principal with lenders, submit applications and do paperwork.
I have a second part to my role too as a manager, so each day I have time allocated with our new brokers for training and development, support time with our admin team as well as going out to see our introducers to keep them updated on the market.
I aim to leave the office by 6pm rarely I pull this off but once home I continue with emails.
Q. How long have you been a mortgage adviser for?
A. 13 years now.
Q. What’s made you stick with it for all these years?
A. The reason I am a broker today? I have lived through a mortgage market pre-recession, through the recession, and fortunately came out the other side. Although as an industry we have had a rollercoaster of a ride, for me, there is one thing that never changes: the call you make to the customer to say you have their mortgage approved and they can buy their home.
Every time I get a mortgage approved I still get that buzz knowing I’ve been instrumental in helping the client, and for me, that is something that will never change.
Q. In your opinion, what is the best thing about using a mortgage broker?
A. Advice and options.
A broker's role is to collect all your information, assess your circumstances and needs now, and in the future, and tailor make a solution to meet your individual needs. When not using a broker you’re tied to one lender and one criteria that doesn’t necessarily best fit your needs.
At Mortgage Advice Bureau, we have access to over 90 lenders so we are ensuring you’re with a lender that is right for you. Not only can this save you money but time too, as you have one person looking at a large number of lenders. With a broker, you’ll also get advice, not just on the mortgage but the whole solution, including protection.
The mortgage market has evolved so much that it is a specialist area, and mortgage specialists can help you with what could be the largest investment of your life.
Q. What is the most challenging and rewarding part of your job?
A. The most rewarding part of the job is by far when you call a customer and let them know that the mortgage has been approved and that they’re able to buy their new home, especially for those customers whose circumstances are more complex and have previously been declined and lost hope. That is definitely the best part of the job.
The most challenging is the changes that are forever being made in the lender's criteria. You have to be one step ahead every day, as what a customer was able to do last month might not be the same this month, and for some customers, that is the difference in being able to buy and not being able to.
Q. Where do you see the industry heading?
A. Currently the market is stable for us and the foreseeable future will be maintained. However, in time there will be changes with Brexit still looming, as well as other factors that affect the property and mortgage market, so it’s important to always be one step ahead.
Q. If you weren’t a mortgage adviser, what would you be?
A. God knows! Definitely not a singer…. I can't think of a life where I’m not a broker.
Q. When you’re not busy advising, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
A. SLEEP!! As an avid Liverpool fan, I try to go to as many games as possible which, with this current season, usually then involves retail therapy afterwards, or a large drink to ease the loss!