First time buying remained biggest advice driver during 2009

After a chaotic year which saw the credit crunch emerge into a full blown recession, property prices plummet, lenders tighten their criteria, and mortgage borrowers befuddled - latest figures from Unbiased.co.uk, the professional advice website, reveal that over 70,000 consumers sought guidance from a whole of market mortgage adviser in 2009.

First time buying held the top spot as the most popular advice category, accounting for an average of 40% of consumer enquiries for the whole year.  The second most popular advice category was re-mortgaging, with an average of 32% of searches being made in this area in 2009.  Across the year there was a spike in consumer mortgage enquiries in the first three quarters, when competitive mortgage deals were hard to come by, and enquiries stablised in the final quarter as the housing market has shown signs of recovery.  

Karen Barrett, Chief Executive of Unbiased.co.uk, commented: "2009 was undoubtedly a volatile year, but it is encouraging to see that when there is turbulence in the housing market; consumers seek advice from the experts - as demonstrated from our Advice Driver statistics.  However, it is essential that consumers continue to seek advice regardless of the state of the property market, to ensure they are making the best decisions for their individual circumstances. 

"Only a whole of market mortgage adviser can give you advice on products across the market, which suits your individual needs and financial position.  You can visit Unbiased.co.uk to find a qualified, local whole of market mortgage adviser who can guide you."