Sharon Duckworth looks back at 20 years of helping people finance their perfect home.
A few weeks ago we were helping a long-standing client arrange what should be their final fixed rate mortgage. Whilst we were chatting about what’s been happening in their life since we last spoke, the penny dropped. They were one of our first clients. We arranged their first mortgage in 2001. And 20 years later they’re still with us. That told us two things:
i) They’ve been happy with us for a very long time, which is always excellent to hear; and
ii) We’re about to celebrate our 20th anniversary. Gulp.
It’s fair to say that the past two decades have presented their fair share of ups and upheavals. So forgive us if we indulge in a little nostalgia, and quickly revisit a timeline of KMA.
2001: We throw open the doors of Key Mortgage Advice for the first time. Then we quickly close them again because it’s January and it’s cold outside.
2004: We celebrate becoming directly authorised by the Financial Services Authority (later the Financial Conduct Authority).
2005: Appropriately enough, it’s time for us to find a home of our own. We set up a new base in Lostock Hall.
2007: The financial crash. Just thinking about it still brings us out in a cold sweat, as banks and other lenders withdraw mortgage products so fast that every application becomes a race against time. Happily, we weather the storm.
2013: We move to our current premises in Bamber Bridge…
2014: …and open a second office in Garstang…
2017: …and then a third in Southport.
2020: COVID-19 presents the biggest challenge the market has faced since the financial crash, but this time the entire property market grinds to a halt as we endure lockdown. Combined with the many other health, social and financial implications it’s a year none of us will ever forget.
2021 and beyond
After the most challenging of years, the end of 2020 has brought some encouragement. One vaccine is now being distributed. More are set to follow and as 2021 progresses the pandemic should subside. Searching for a new home in 2021 should feel far more ‘normal’ than it has done for some time. And whilst there are some things that may stick post-pandemic (Zoom has proved a big hit with lots of clients and that’s unlikely to change once normality resumes) it will be great to get back to days where we don’t have to socially distance, and where we can talk face to face about finding the mortgage that’s right for you. Because that’s what we do best.
Whether you’ve been a KMA client for 20 years or you’ve just discovered us, thank you for being part of our journey. We really, really appreciate it.
And if reading this has reminded you that you need to get your mortgage sorted, talk to us.
