Meet Natalie Ellis, mortgage and protection adviser at Steel City Mortgages.
Tell us a bit about your business.
Steel City Mortgages was established in June 2023.
I have been a mortgage and protection adviser for 22 years. First employed, and then for the last seven years I have built up my own client bank through self-generation.
We are an appointed representative of Stonebridge, who we would not do without.
It sounds like a cliche, but I really do love helping clients and helping turn people’s dreams into a reality.
In addition, I’m very passionate about supporting and representing local, grassroots boxing and football.
Where are you based and where do you operate geographically?
We are proudly based in Sheffield; however, our clients are a mix of both local and national.
What are the main issues impacting your local market?
Locally, I am still seeing lots of adverse clients that have sadly been affected by either the pandemic or had financial stress due to the rise in interest rates.
Often in this scenario, clients opt to rate switch without seeking advice from me first, and there are always options to make a situation better or more manageable if remortgaging.
I would always recommend that clients speak to me first for free advice.
What challenges are you facing as a broker?
One of the main challenges I’m experiencing at the moment is adapting quickly to rates changes along with lender criteria.
Other challenges are sadly related to life insurance. I am still seeing, and dealing with, a handful of clients that do not want to talk about life cover.
Even though this is only a few clients, this is still far too many in my eyes.
Some cover is better than nothing at all, and I never want to have to deliver that awful news to someone’s family they didn’t have any cover.
Another challenge is the severe lack of options on Right To Buy schemes combining adverse and lending into retirement.
What are the main opportunities for brokers in your area and nationally?
Currently there is an array of opportunities out there for both employed and self-employed brokers, as people rely on our expertise in this ever-changing market.
The business is out there you just need to be consistent and don’t give in, no matter how challenging it may become.
For anyone needing some support and advice on this matter my door is always open.
What could lenders do to help further your business?
In order to streamline business, lenders should continuously adopt a common-sense approach on underwriting.
What sets you apart from the competition?
As a broker my clients find me to be very personable and I think what compliments this well is the streamline service we offer.
The fact that we don’t stop until we get a result, shows that we really do have our clients’ best interests at the centre of everything we do.
How should potential borrowers contact you?
We are happy to use whichever method is the most comfortable and easiest for the borrower, whether that’s by phone, email, text or through social media.
I’m also happy to conduct face to face appointments via zoom, facetime, or home visits.
You can reach me at:
Email – [email protected]
Mobile – 07989686882
Office – 03300022344
