We speak to Katie Haley, regional underwriter at The Mortgage Lender, about her passion for travel, an eagerness to get back to Glastonbury and a booming mortgage market.

Sum up the current mortgage market in a hashtag?

#booming

Is the mortgage market diverse enough?

Yes, I think over the last 10 years or so the market has changed and is now offering mortgages to a much broader range of customers, with different deposit types and income being accepted and with longer terms and availability for people with differing credit profiles. I think we are a far cry from the mortgage market of the past. It’s good to see!

What have you missed over the last year?

I am a real travel bunny and not being able to get away to tick off the next country on my list has been something I’ve really missed. I was lucky enough to get to France snowboarding two weeks before lockdown which kept the wanderlust at bay for a while, but I can’t wait to get back to the airport with my passport and a beer in hand waiting for the plane to head to a new destination.

New talent/ skill acquired during lockdown?

With nowhere to go I decided to eventually get our house decorated as we’ve always wanted it. I spent most weekends and evenings for around three months decorating each room (even turning our cellar into a “snug/den”) and can now say I am a dab hand with a paintbrush amongst other DIY skills – my late Grandad would be proud!

Favourite song – and why?

Not Nineteen Forever – Courteeners. This song was released just before I turned 19 so whenever it’s playing I’m taken back to being 19 and remembering good times with friends.

Courteeners are my favourite band and having missed out on seeing them a number of times for different reasons I eventually got to in 2019 so this song now provokes great memories from my first Glastonbury too – roll on June 2022 when I’ll eventually get to go back!

League or Union?

Union.

Dog or cat?

Dog

Cocktail or shot?

Cocktail

Quick Fire Friday with Katie Haley, regional underwriter at The Mortgage Lender