At Fowler Smith Mortgages & Protection, we are incredibly delighted to announce that we have been awarded the prestigious recognition of 'Best Mortgage & Protection Brokerage 2026' by SME News. This esteemed accolade is not just a testament to our hard work and dedication, but it also highlights our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service to our clients in the mortgage and protection sector. The recognition from SME News serves as a significant milestone in our

Buying a home after divorce can feel like starting over financially as well as emotionally. For many people, the process may seem overwhelming at first, especially when adjusting to a single income, dividing assets, or rebuilding financial confidence. However, divorce does not mean homeownership is out of reach. In fact, with the right planning and support, many people successfully secure a mortgage and move forward into the next chapter of their lives. One of the biggest con

For many people, the words ‘adverse credit’ can feel like a door slamming shut on the dream of owning a home. Missed payments, defaults, CCJs, or a poor credit score are often viewed as permanent marks against your financial record. However, the modern mortgage market tells a very different story. In reality, adverse credit is no longer the major obstacle it once was, and thousands of people with imperfect credit histories secure mortgages every year. Life rarely goes exactly

Over the past couple of years, many homeowners have taken a wait and see approach, hoping interest rates might fall before making a move. But in 2026, that mindset has shifted, following the outbreak of war in Iran. With the Bank of England base rate unchanged at the end of April 2026, borrowers are beginning to accept that today’s rates may be the “new normal” for a while. More homeowners are choosing to act rather than delay, but the challenge is knowing which approach is r

It's with great pleasure that we announce a significant achievement for our company, Fowler Smith Mortgages & Protection. After a rigorous process that involved being nominated, shortlisted, and subsequently judged by a panel of experts, we are thrilled to share that we have been awarded the prestigious title of 'Mortgage Brokerage of the Year' for 2026, as part of the esteemed Innovation & Excellence Awards. This accolade is not just a testament to our hard work and dedicati

We're please to announce that after working with Colchester City Council via their appointed marketing agency, Fowler Smith Mortgages & Protection are included in the City's digital guide to Extensions. The guide shares useful information for those wanting to extend their space including an overview of building regulations, competent person schemes and planning. It offers suggestions and advice surrounding finding the right firms to work alongside who can help individuals mee

Buying your first home. Owning your own home should feel achievable. For many people today, it does not. If you are working hard, doing your best to save, and still feel like homeownership is getting further away instead of closer, you are not alone. I speak to people every day who feel stuck, unsure where to start, or convinced they are further behind than they should be, so if this already resonates, this article is for you. The truth is that the journey has become more dif

It is with great pride that we announce that Natasha Hughes has won the prestigious title of Administrator of the Year 2026 in the annual Mortgage Intelligence Awards. Her commitment to excellence has not only set a high standard for her peers but has also significantly contributed to the overall success of our firm. This remarkable achievement marks the second time Natasha has been recognised as a finalist in these awards, a testament to her hard work over the years. However

As it was recently Earth Day I thought I would share what amazing work Fowler Smith is continuously doing to promote environmental protection. Earth Day was first celebrated 56 years ago, on the 22nd of April 1970. It was created to raise awareness about environmental issues and gain public support for environmental protection. Earth day originally started in the United States, but started to become a global event in 1990, and currently is celebrated by over 1 billion people!

It is with great pleasure and pride that we announce the achievement of two esteemed members of our firm, who have been selected as finalists in the Mortgage Intelligence Awards 2026. This recognition not only highlights their individual talents and dedication but also reflects the collective commitment of our entire team at Fowler Smith Mortgages & Protection to excellence in the mortgage and protection industry. Firstly, we would like to spotlight Natasha Hughes. Natasha, w

See below a short video summarising Aviva's chargeable add-on, Global Treatment cover, and how it might benefit eligible individuals and their children. If you'd like to discuss your protection needs with us at Fowler Smith Mortgages & Protection, please get in touch and one of our experienced advisers will assist you and advise the most suitable options that are available to you. We're able to compare options such as life insurance, critical illness cover, income protection

At Fowler Smith Mortgages & Protection, we're pleased to announce that Jermaine Bernard joins the firm, bringing with him a wealth of experience of almost a decade in the mortgage and protection industry. Jermaine takes enjoys assisting clients of all kinds through each phase of the process and is eager to keep building strong industry connections while ensuring exceptional results for clients. Everyone at Fowler Smith is thrilled to have Jermaine on the team, and we are eage

As a firm we’re still seeing healthy demand for buy to let property. Our HQ might be based in Colchester, but we service the whole of the UK and beyond. We’re still seeing strong demand for buy to let purchases, and even let to buy cases where a client rents out their current residential by switching it to a buy to let and then buying a new residential onwards. The reason for the continued interest in buy to let is due to a number of factors. Firstly, interest rates. We’ve se

When I’m scouring through our work experience applications for those who want to dip their toe into the mortgage world, I’m not expecting them to reel off the current Bank of England base rate or talk me through the complete home buying process. What I’m really looking for is potential, personality, and the right attitude. I want to see genuine curiosity about what we do. The mortgage industry isn’t just about numbers, it’s about helping people make one of the biggest financi

There are times where people assume that when using a mortgage broker or comparing brokers that the main benefit is “What rate can you get me”? And whilst securing a competitive deal is most certainly part of the job and we want you to be paying the least amount back as you possibly can, the real value of being your broker goes far beyond the numbers on a mortgage illustration. In reality, a great broker saves you time, stress, uncertainty, is a friendly person to talk to, to

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Colchester, United Kingdom – 29 th January 2026 Fowler Smith Mortgages & Protection is delighted to confirm an expanded sponsorship agreement with the decorated motorsport talent Taylor O’Flanagan for the forthcoming 2026 Caterham Seven Championship season. The extended partnership follows a successful two-year engagement between Fowler Smith and Taylor’s race team, which began in 2024 and continued through 2025, a campaign that saw Taylor recently crow

I want to start this article by saying I am in no way against employer benefits. I think the employers who make the choice to look after their team should be commended. Employer benefits are helpful – but they’re designed for groups. Your life isn’t. Some choices are too personal to outsource. There are simply some decisions you would never let your employer make for you. I’d love you to picture your HR setting up some form of speed dating and telling you that “this is your f

2026 is already set to be a busy one. The year has started positively across the board. Properties seem to be moving fairly swiftly. Lenders have been cutting rates. Economists are predicting inflation to continue falling, which then has prompted anticipation of further base rate cuts throughout the year. All of this speculation is supported by SONIA swap rates, too. As of the 13th January 2026, 5 year swaps sit at 3.580%. Compared to 4.253% a year prior, it’s quite the diffe

At Fowler Smith Mortgages & Protection, we are always aiming to add value. We look to add value to everybody we communicate with - it's our overall mission. Clients. Colleagues. Peers. Community. Now, with our latest initiative we are going to be extending that even further and giving back to the environment. As ever, we're increasingly conscious of our carbon footprint. We use less paper, recycle, have re-usable glass water bottles in the office instead of throwaway plastics

At Fowler Smith Mortgages & Protection, we recently hosted a cheese and wine event ready for the festive period. We invited some local businesses, peers and clients. We hosted the event at our head office on Colchester High Street, and invited people to make donations to our firm's chosen charity, Great Ormond Street Hospital. A link to donate to GOSH can be found here: https://www.gosh.org/donate/