Have I NOT got mortgage tips for you

While 62% of Britain's homeowners would normally feel comfortable offering mortgage tips to friends, family or colleagues, today's confusing lending market has sapped the confidence of more than a third (37%) of this group, according to research by Unbiased.co.uk.

Men are most likely to dispense advice on what is best for a friend's next mortgage deal, with 44% still confident to offer their opinion (down from 66% 12 months ago) compared to 30% of women (down from 45% 12 months ago).

This loss of confidence is unsurprisingly also reflected in homeowners' ability to identify their own best options. 36% of homeowners who would normally be comfortable choosing their own mortgage would now instead look for professional advice, while 28% of homeowners are clear they would never try to negotiate the mortgage maze without expert advice.

Richard Winder, spokesperson for Unbiased.co.uk, which runs a ‘find a mortgage adviser' local search service, comments: "Throughout the property boom, homeowners felt far more comfortable swapping mortgage or property tips over Sunday lunch, since a competitive and fairly clear-cut lending market meant borrowers were less fearful of losing out. Credit crunch confusion in the mortgage market has since sapped borrowers' confidence in choosing the right approach or products both for themselves and for friends or family."

Unbiased.co.uk's research also shows that women are more affected by the ‘confidence wobbles' when making their own decisions, with one in four (25%) feeling less confident than a year ago about making their own mortgage decisions, compared to a drop of 21% among men. Nearly a third (31%) of women also say they would never make a mortgage decision without professional advice while only a quarter (24%) of men wouldn't seek a new mortgage without this advice.

Richard Winder adds: "In today's fast-changing mortgage market, borrowers can no longer count on general rules, and this is where professional, personal mortgage advice can make a clear difference. Only a whole of market mortgage adviser will be able to search the entire market to help borrowers find the best deal for their circumstances, helping them buy a first home, reduce their monthly mortgage payments or review their property investment options."