May 21, 2026
If you’ve been following the mortgage headlines recently, you’ll know the market has been all over the place. We’ve had interest rates rising, global events adding uncertainty, and now there are signs of a full‑blown ‘rate war’ between lenders. It’s no wonder many homeowners and landlords are feeling anxious.
Darren O’Connor is a senior Mortgage and Protection Adviser at Talis IFA. With over 25 years’ experience, he has seen a lot of highs and lows in the mortgage market, but rarely as much noise and confusion as we’re seeing just now.
Nevertheless, his message to worried homebuyers, homeowners and landlords is simple: don’t panic.
“I’m seeing a lot of people who fixed their mortgage four or five years ago now facing much higher rates when their fixed rate ends,” says Darren. “That’s understandably unsettling. But before you rush to make changes, it’s worth taking a breath and looking at the bigger picture.”
Why the mortgage market feels so unsettled
A few things have collided:
This creates a sense of constant movement — but remember that not all movement is bad. Competition between lenders can actually work in your favour.
Should I change my fixed rate now?
“This is a question a lot of clients are asking me,” says Darren. “They are worried about rates continuing to rise, and thinking about getting a new fixed-rate deal now, rather than in a year or so, when their current deal ends.”
This is where Darren advocates particular caution.
“It’s important to look at the whole picture, and not just focus on your monthly repayments. Coming out of a deal early may incur a substantial penalty, and together with a new product fee – which are on the rise – an early switch could actually cost you quite a bit extra.”
To help his reassure his clients, Darren asks them to think about three questions:
If the answer to all three is ‘no’, then the situation may not be as urgent as the headlines suggest.
As Darren says, “when the headlines are claiming chaos, it’s common to feel that you should be doing something to help your own financial stability. But don’t get pushed into a knee-jerk reaction by attention-grabbing headlines. Talk to your IFA and work through the figures with them. They’ll help you understand the small print in your current deal and assess the pros and cons of switching now, enabling you to make a fully informed decision.”
Buy-to-let: a market in transition
Darren is also seeing an increase in questions from landlords, concerned that property is a less attractive investment option.
Dramatic changes in the law around property letting have combined with rising rates to create substantial changes in the buy‑to‑let landscape:
On top of that, although many lenders are offering attractive buy-to-let rates, they often come with very high product fees, sometimes calculated as a percentage of the loan. That can make a huge difference to long‑term viability.
This is where proper sourcing and advice matter. For long‑term investors, it’s still possible to find good deals, but an IFA will help you to look carefully at the total cost, not just the headline rate.
Property flipping: a different approach
“If you’re buying a property that needs modernisation with the intention of selling quickly, the strategy is different again,“ says Darren. “Many buyers choose a tracker mortgage, because there’s no penalty for exiting early, and talking to an IFA with full market access will help you to find the most attractive deal for your individual circumstances.”
Darren also advises talking to a carefully selected local estate agent before committing to a purchase – not necessarily the agent selling the property you’re interested in.
“Local, family-run agents tend to have a better idea of the property landscape in the local area,” he explains. “They’re more likely to be able to help you assess whether a particular property is better suited to selling or renting, and how best to finance each option.”
This is where having the right contacts and guidance makes a real difference, and an IFA specialising in mortgages will often have good local contacts who can help you.
How an independent mortgage adviser like Darren can help
In a market like this, the key is clarity. Before making any decisions, Darren will help you to be clear about your aims and objectives:
“Once we understand your goals, we can work out the most suitable route — without the panic, without the guesswork, and without being influenced by the latest headline,” he says.
“Whether you’re a first‑time buyer who doesn’t know where to start, a homeowner coming off a fixed rate, or an experienced landlord trying to make sense of the new rules, there’s no such thing as a silly question. If you need to know something, ask — and I’ll explain it clearly.
“My job is to hold your hand from start to finish, help you understand your options, and make sure every decision is grounded in what’s right for you, not what’s happening in the media.”
The market may be confusing, but with the right advice, you can move forward with confidence.
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