Brokers remain the backbone of the homebuying journey in today’s ever-changing economic backdrop, with two-thirds (63%) of borrowers admitting they couldn’t have gone through the homebuying process without the support of a broker for the second quarter running, according to research released today by Santander.
The lender’s latest ‘Broker Perception Barometer’, a quarterly survey of 500 mortgage holders to measure consumer attitudes and sentiment toward brokers, shows that homeowners continue to rely on using a broker for their mortgage needs, with more than four fifths (83%) stating that they would use a broker again if purchasing a new property or changing mortgage provider.
A new generation with new expectations
Santander’s previous Broker Perception Barometer last December highlighted the power of human touch in a tech enabled world, something demonstrated again this quarter, with one in ten (11%) homeowners looking for empathy in their broker (rising to 14% for first-time buyers).
Today’s research also reveals differences in how younger borrowers engage with brokers, showing a clear preference for pace, with 75% of those aged 18 to 34 years old considering their broker as “responsive”, compared to 90% of those aged 35 years and above. This age group were also most likely to have found their broker using social media (13%) or an AI tool (8%) and most likely to communicate with their broker using Whatsapp (42%) at least once a week, in comparison to half (50%) of their older peers who claim they have never used it for the same purpose.
When asked who they turned to the most during the homebuying journey, first-time buyers admit to speaking to their mortgage broker (24%) more than their friends (22%) when seeking support with the process.
Providing clarity and reassurance
In today’s market, shaped by rising economic certainty, consumers perceive brokers as playing a critical role in supporting buyers progress confidently with the homebuying journey (85%). This is particularly true for 83% of those who have just bought their first home in the past year, who said their broker made them feel more secure about the process.
At a time of heighted living costs, affordability – something an overwhelming 95% of first-time buyers said their broker helped them fully understand – remains at the forefront of borrowers’ minds. When asked to imagine they were buying their home again in 2026, pressures from the cost-of-living crisis (25%), budgeting for upfront costs (26%) and rising interest rates (30%) were the three things homeowners would be most concerned about. First-time buyers said they would be particularly worried about (21%) overpaying for a property when prices are so volatile.
More than just money: importance of emotional support
Three quarters (73%) of those who bought, remortgaged or took out a product transfer in the last year saved money as a direct result of working with a broker. The average first-time buyer saved £123 a month on their monthly payments, just shy of the overall average savings of £127.
Santander’s research shows it’s not all about the money for those buying their first home. When compared to second (35%) and third-time buyers (39%), saving money is at the forefront of only a quarter (23%) of first-time buyers’ minds when working with a broker. They place more value on their broker saving them time (28%) and helping them understand complex information (24%).
Graham Sellar, Head of Intermediary Channels, Santander UK, said: “During a time of global economic uncertainty, more than ever, borrowers look for guidance and a sense of security that they are getting the best possible outcome for their mortgage needs. Brokers play a hugely vital role in this – not only by securing the best deals and saving homeowners money – but providing reassurance and emotional support too.”
One in 10 (9%) first-time buyers list emotional support as one of the most important aspects of the broker service – rising to 12% for younger borrowers (aged 18-35 years old), four times more than those over 35 years old.
