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About Oliver
Hi, I’m Oliver, A Registered Individual of The Money Group.
I help people make sense of their mortgage options and guide them through the process from start to finish.
Whether you’re buying your first home, moving house, remortgaging or your circumstances are a little more complicated, I’ll take the time to understand your situation and help you find a mortgage that works for you.
oliver.smith@themoney-group.co.uk
YOUR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.
Hello, I'm Oliver! A Little Bit About Me
Mortgage adviser, dad to twins, springer spaniel owner and apparently a marathon runner too!
Hello! I'm Oliver Smith, a mortgage and protection adviser based in Sale, Greater Manchester.
Firstly, thanks for taking the time to visit my website. I thought it would be nice to tell you a little bit about myself, why I became a mortgage adviser and what you can expect if we end up working together.
After all, if you're going to trust someone to help you with one of the biggest financial decisions of your life, I think it's only fair that you get to know them a little first.
I'm a big believer that mortgage advice should feel personal.
Nobody wants to feel like another application number, and I certainly don't want our conversations to feel like you're sitting through a financial interview.
I'd much rather we have a proper chat, get to know each other and work out how I can help.
Whether you're buying your first home, moving somewhere bigger or simply trying to make sense of your current mortgage, my aim is to make the whole experience as straightforward and comfortable as possible.
And don't worry, you don't need to know anything about mortgages before getting in touch.
That's my job!
Why Did I Become a Mortgage Broker?
It's actually quite simple. I love helping people.
I've always enjoyed working with different people, getting to know them and finding solutions to problems.
And when you think about it, helping somebody buy a house is a pretty rewarding way to spend your working day.
A home is so much more than bricks and mortar.
It's where people start new chapters, build their lives, raise their families and make memories.
For someone buying their first home, it might represent years of hard work and saving.
For a growing family, it could mean finally having that extra bedroom, a bigger garden or somewhere the children can play.
And for somebody who's already a homeowner, finding a suitable mortgage arrangement could help them feel more comfortable about their finances.
Being able to play a part in those moments is what attracted me to mortgage broking in the first place.
Of course, the job isn't always straightforward.
Every person I speak to has different circumstances, different priorities and different ideas about what they want to achieve.
But that's actually one of the things I enjoy most.
I'm naturally a problem solver.
I like understanding how things work, looking at the options and figuring out the most appropriate way forward.
There are so many different mortgage products available, and what works well for one person might be completely unsuitable for another.
My job is to understand you, explore the available options and recommend a mortgage that suits your individual needs.
And when someone who's been worrying about whether they can get a mortgage starts to understand their options, that's a particularly rewarding part of the job.
I Like People, Not Just Mortgages!
One of the things I enjoy about my work is meeting people from all sorts of backgrounds.
Everybody has their own story.
Some people are naturally confident talking about money. Others would rather discuss just about anything else!
Some arrive knowing exactly what they want, while others have a hundred questions and aren't sure where to begin.
I'm comfortable with both.
I've always considered communication one of my strengths, and I think it's particularly important when you're discussing something as personal as somebody's finances.
I want you to feel comfortable explaining your circumstances, even if they're a little complicated.
You might be self-employed, have several sources of income, be buying a property for the first time or have experienced financial difficulties in the past.
Whatever your situation, I'm not here to judge.
I'm here to listen, understand what's happening and see how I can help.
Sometimes that means finding a lender whose criteria suit your circumstances.
Sometimes it means explaining that you may need to take a few steps before applying.
And sometimes it's simply helping you understand that the mortgage process isn't quite as daunting as you first thought.
I think being approachable makes a real difference.
I'd much rather you feel comfortable asking me a question than spend days worrying about something that we could discuss in a few minutes.
Life Outside Mortgages
Right, that's probably enough about mortgages for a moment!
When I'm not working, life is pretty busy.
I'm a dad to young twins, a boy and a girl, who definitely make sure there's never a dull moment.
As you can imagine, having twins means life has changed quite a bit!
There's always something happening, something to organise or somebody needing attention.
It's busy, sometimes a little chaotic, but I wouldn't change it.
Being a dad has also given me an even greater appreciation of just how important having a home is.
It's not just somewhere to live.
It's where everyday life happens and where you make memories as a family.
Family Walks and Our Springer Spaniel
We also have a springer spaniel, which means getting out for walks is a fairly regular part of our lives!
I love spending time outdoors, particularly in the Peak District and Lake District.
There's something brilliant about getting away from the usual routine, enjoying the countryside and spending time together.
And, of course, having a springer spaniel means there's usually plenty of energy to burn off!
Whether it's a day exploring the hills, a long countryside walk or simply getting some fresh air, it's one of my favourite ways to spend time away from work.
My Mid-Life Marathon Moment!
I've also developed something of a running habit.
Or, as I like to call it, my mid-life marathon moment.
I've completed two marathons so far, and I'm planning to train for another one in 2027.
I'm not entirely sure why I've decided that running 26.2 miles is a sensible way to spend my free time, but here we are!
There's something I really enjoy about setting yourself a challenge, putting in the work and eventually achieving something that once seemed quite daunting.
Marathon training certainly teaches you a bit about patience, consistency and sticking with something when it gets difficult.
And with twins, a springer spaniel and work to juggle, finding time for training is becoming a challenge in itself!
But I enjoy having something to work towards.
I think it's good to keep challenging yourself, even if you occasionally question your decisions halfway through a long run.
So, What's It Actually Like Working With Me?
Hopefully, by now, you've got a bit more of a feel for who I am.
But I also think it's important that you know what to expect if you decide to get in touch about your mortgage.
The first thing I'd say is that I like to keep things straightforward.
I don't believe good mortgage advice needs to be overly formal or complicated.
Of course, arranging a mortgage is a serious financial decision, and I'll always treat it that way.
But that doesn't mean we can't have a friendly conversation along the way.
I'll Take the Time to Get to Know You
Before we start looking at mortgage products, I want to understand what you're
hoping to achieve.
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What's important to you?
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Are you buying your first property?
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Do you need more space for your family?
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Are you trying to reduce your monthly commitments?
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Do you have plans that might affect your finances over the next few years?
These conversations help me understand what a suitable mortgage might look like for you.
I'll Explain Things in Plain English
I know that mortgage terminology can sometimes sound like a completely different language.
Loan-to-value ratios, affordability assessments, early repayment charges, fixed rates, variable rates...
There's plenty to get your head around.
But you shouldn't have to become a mortgage expert to arrange one.
I'll explain the important details clearly and make sure you understand the options we're discussing.
And if something doesn't make sense, please ask.
I'd much rather explain something again than have you leave a conversation feeling unsure.
I'm a Problem Solver
This is probably one of the things I enjoy most about being a mortgage adviser.
Not every application is straightforward.
You might have recently become self-employed, receive income through your own company or have circumstances that don't fit every lender's criteria.
That doesn't necessarily mean you can't get a mortgage.
It means we need to understand your situation and explore which lenders and products may be suitable.
I can't promise that every application will be successful, but I will take the time to understand your circumstances and explain the options available.
You'll Deal With Me Personally
When you contact me, you'll be speaking directly with me.
I think that's important.
I'd like to build relationships with the people I help rather than simply arrange a mortgage and move on.
If you have questions along the way, I want you to feel comfortable getting in touch.
After all, mortgages aren't something most people deal with every day.
But they are something I deal with every day!
I Understand Being Self-Employed
Alongside my work as a mortgage adviser, I also have experience of being self-employed and running a business.
It's given me an understanding of how different business income can be from a traditional employed salary.
If you're a company director, sole trader or contractor, your finances may not always fit neatly into the boxes on a mortgage application.
You might take a small salary and dividends, retain profits within your company or have earnings that fluctuate throughout the year.
I understand why that can be frustrating, particularly when you've worked hard to build your business.
Different lenders assess income in different ways, so understanding the criteria can make a real difference when deciding where to apply.
It's an area of mortgage advice I particularly enjoy because it often involves looking at the bigger picture rather than just one figure on a payslip.
If you're in that position, I've written a more detailed Self-Employed Mortgages guide that you might find helpful.
What Can I Help You With?
Although I've spoken quite a bit about myself, the most important thing is how I can help you.
People get in touch with me for all sorts of mortgage-related reasons.
You might be looking to buy your first home and want to understand how much you can borrow.
Perhaps you're moving home and need to work out what happens to your existing mortgage.
Or maybe your current mortgage deal is coming to an end and you'd like some help exploring your remortgage options.
I can also help you consider mortgage protection, including life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection where appropriate.
But you don't need to work out which service you need before contacting me.
Sometimes the best place to start is simply telling me a little about your circumstances and letting me know what you're hoping to achieve.
We can take it from there.
I'm Based in Sale, But Happy to Help Wherever You Are
I'm based in Sale, Greater Manchester, and work with people throughout the surrounding areas and across the UK.
I help clients in places including Altrincham, Hale, Bowdon, Timperley, Knutsford, and Wilmslow.
However, you don't need to live nearby to work with me.
Much of the mortgage process can be handled remotely, so we can speak over the phone, by email or on a video call.
Whatever works best for you.
For me, it's far more important that you feel comfortable with the person giving you advice than whether they're sitting in an office around the corner.
You Don't Have to Be Ready to Apply
One thing I really want people to know is that you don't need to have everything figured out before contacting me.
You might only just be thinking about buying a home.
Maybe you're wondering whether you could afford to move somewhere larger.
Or perhaps you're not sure when your mortgage deal ends and want to understand what to do next.
That's absolutely fine.
You don't need a property address, a complete set of documents or a detailed plan to start a conversation.
Tell me a little about what you're thinking, and I'll help you understand the next steps.
Any applicable fees will be explained before you commit to proceeding with a mortgage application.
Before You Go...
If you've made it this far, thank you for taking the time to get to know me a little better.
Hopefully, you've learnt something about me beyond the fact that I spend a lot of time talking about mortgages!
I'm a dad, a dog owner, somebody who enjoys getting outdoors and, for reasons
I'm still trying to understand, somebody who voluntarily signs up to run marathons.
But I'm also someone who genuinely enjoys helping people.
And that's what mortgage broking comes down to for me.
It's not just about interest rates, lenders or paperwork.
It's about getting to know people, understanding what matters to them and helping them take the next step towards something important.
If you're thinking about buying a home, moving, remortgaging or simply have a mortgage question, I'd love to hear from you.
We can have a chat, see where you're up to and work out what might be possible.
No pressure, no complicated jargon. Just a friendly conversation.
Simply fill out the form below, call me on 07728511059 or email me at oliver.smith@themoney-group.co.uk
Speak soon,
Oliver
CeMAP & CPSP Qualified Mortgage & Protection Adviser