News

Last week, Norwich’s vibrant 20s and 30s networking community had the opportunity to hear from our director Shane about the risks and opportunities of investment and the world of pensions at a special evening at the Louis Marchesi. The event drew a packed room of young professionals eager to gain insight into investing, pensions, and financial planning for life’s big milestones. Shane is a qualified and seasoned independent financial advisor whose expertise spans investments

At Brancaster House Financial Planning, we believe retirement is about how you want to live, what you value, and feeling confident you’ve got a plan in place. That’s why we’re introducing our Retirement Income & Lifestyle Planner Tool: a bespoke way to map out not just how much income you’ll need, but how to make your retirement lifestyle a reality.

For many homeowners over the age of 55, your home is your most valuable asset. In retirement, as budgets tighten and new expenses arise, the idea of unlocking the wealth tied up in your property can be a compelling one. Whether it’s to fund a dream holiday, make essential home improvements, pay off existing debts, or provide a financial gift to loved ones, the equity in your home can offer a solution.

Pensions Awareness Week (15th to 19th September 2025) is officially here; and its a perfect time to take a close look at your financial future. While pensions might seem like a complicated topic, understanding the basics is the first and most crucial step toward securing a comfortable retirement. At its core, a pension is a long-term savings plan with one simple purpose: to provide you with an income when you stop working.

Mrs J and her partner wanted to buy their council property under the Right to Buy scheme. The adviser they went to last year realised that the second applicant had a couple of CCJs (County Court Judgements) so approached a specialist lender. Their application was declined due to perceived rent arrears. Fast forward to this year where our Mortgage and Protection Specialist, Jayne came in. Jayne explained our approach: "Due to the low amount they wanted to borrow in relation

We’re excited to intrroduce you to Elisha Jones, a 17-year-old Business Support T-Level student from City College Norwich, who joins us one day a week as part of her course.

We’re proud to announce that Shane , one of our directors (and very talented financial advisors) at Brancaster House Financial Planning, has been shortlisted for Young Advisor of the Year at the inaugural Young Financial Planner Awards 2025 , hosted by Money Marketing . This prestigious new awards programme is designed to spotlight the rising stars of financial planning - those who are bringing fresh thinking, energy, and impact to a profession that’s undergoing significant

Great feedback just in from a first-time buyer and self-employed company director for our mortgage advisor, Jayne Routledge: "I just wanted to say thank you so much for the past year and a half for helping me along the whole process of buying my first home and answering all and any questions that I had." Choosing an independent mortgage advisor means getting tailored advice, access to a wider range of lenders, and someone who truly works in your best interest, not the bank’s.

At Brancaster House Financial Planning, we believe that trusted advice comes from experience, commitment, and a genuine passion for helping people secure their futures. That’s why we’re proud to introduce you to Jayne Routledge, our dedicated Mortgage and Protection Advisor, who is celebrating her third anniversary with us this spring.

If you run your own business, chances are you’ve said (or thought) something along the lines of: “I’m not paying into a pension – my business is my pension.” It’s a mindset we come across often here at Brancaster House Financial Planning. As a small, independent firm based in Norwich, we work with many local business owners who are pouring everything they’ve got into building and growing their business. And we get it. When you’re self-employed or running a family business,

When it comes to financial planning, most people tend to focus on what they have: pensions, ISAs, property, or savings accounts. But knowing what you own is only half the story. The real question is: Will it be enough to support the life you want—both now and in the future? At Brancaster House Financial Planning, we believe that financial confidence doesn’t come from guesswork. It comes from clarity —and one of the most powerful tools to provide that clarity is cash flow an

When it comes to buying a home-or remortgaging-there’s no shortage of decisions to make. Fixed rate or tracker? Two years or five? Go direct to a lender or speak to a mortgage broker or adviser? One question we hear a lot at Brancaster House Financial Planning is: “Is it worth using a mortgage adviser—and how much do they charge?” It’s a fair question. Mortgages are one of the biggest financial commitments most of us ever make, and in today’s climate of rising rates and ch

If you’ve got a mortgage, chances are you’ve seen your monthly payments rise sharply in the last couple of years. Whether you’re on a fixed rate that’s about to end, or you’ve already slipped onto your lender’s standard variable rate, the big question we often get asked is: “When should I start looking for my remortgage deal?” And the short answer? Sooner than you think. At Brancaster House Financial Planning, we support people across Norwich and Norfolk in making sense

We’re back from the Show! The Brancaster team were proud to exhibit at the Royal Norfolk Show 2025, one of the UK’s largest two-day agricultural events, held at the Norfolk Showground. As a member of the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, we were back in the Chamber’s vibrant business tent, which brought together a diverse range of local enterprises, innovators, and community organisations. The event provided a fantastic opportunity for us to connect with both new and existing cli

At Brancaster House Financial Planning, we’ve reviewed countless retirement plans over the years. And while every person’s financial situation is different, there’s one consistent - and worrying - flaw we see time and time again: Most people have no real idea what their retirement savings will actually provide. They don’t know what they have , what they need , or whether they’re even remotely on track . Even worse, many people believe they’re doing fine… when the reality is

“Do I Have Enough Money to Retire?” - Clarity Through Cashflow Forecasting It’s one of the most important and most frequently asked questions we hear: “Do I have enough money to retire?” For many, the idea of retirement is both exciting and daunting. The thought of stepping away from work and embracing the next chapter of life brings dreams of travel, hobbies, and freedom. But it also raises serious concerns: Will my money last? Can I maintain my lifestyle? What if somethin

You’re earning, you’re exploring, and you’re building a life that feels like your own. Whether it’s booking that bucket-list trip, moving to a new city, or trying out the best restaurants in town, your 20s and 30s are often defined by experiences. But somewhere between the weekend getaways and the big career leaps, there’s a lingering question: Should I be saving more for the future? At Brancaster House, we hear this internal debate all the time. Young professionals are balan

Whether you're buying your first home or expanding your property portfolio as a landlord, one of the first questions you'll ask is: how much can I borrow? In the UK, lenders use affordability criteria to calculate mortgage borrowing limits. These criteria differ depending on whether you're applying for a residential mortgage (to live in the property) or a buy-to-let mortgage (to rent it out). This guide explains how UK mortgage lenders assess affordability for both resident

The Bank of England has cut the base rate today from 4.5% to 4.25%, with further reductions anticipated later this year. This is the second cut in 2025 and the fourth since last year’s peak of 5.25%. This move is part of the Bank’s ongoing effort to manage inflation, currently sitting at 2.6% (according to the Consumer Price Index), while also responding to global economic pressures and market expectations. At Brancaster House Financial Planning, we understand the implication

This week, we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming a talented work experience student to Brancaster House Financial Planning in the form of Mcauley Holmes, 17, from Taverham Sixth Form. Currently studying Economics at A-Level, Mcauley has been able to connect his studies with real-world financial planning, from observing market behaviour, going through financial annual reviews with clients, sitting in on marketing meetings and learning how economic decisions impact savings and in