Fuelled by increasing demand from borrowers eager to capitalise on the booming buy-to-let investment market, mortgage lenders’ product development teams have had to put their heads together to innovate and develop products to suit the specific needs and circumstances of the growing market. Once a market ruled by high street banks, lenders have developed competitive products that have helped to increase both consumer and intermediary confidence in the market, and the addition of respected organisations and lenders into the sector has helped to improve the market’s image.
While for some the commercial sector appears niche, specialist, and too complex an area, a growing number of residential mortgage intermediaries are beginning to realise the benefits of including a commercial proposition within their customer offering. Be this through specialist links with other organisations, leading to profitable working third party and introducer relationships, or increasing their own knowledge of the sector via relevant examinations, brokers are realising commercial mortgages, can be a viable and profitable sector, if they can dedicate the time and resources required to learning the ins and outs of commercial products as well as the regulatory niches of operating in this particular area.It is clear that the commercial sector represents a fantastic opportunity for intermediaries, and, as the features and articles held within Commercial Introducer will confirm, the market is only set to increase as 2007 draws closer. mi
