Danny Hopwood, an adviser at Bragagnini Associates Mortgage Solutions Limited, recently spoke at the Later Life Lending Summit about helping clients navigate unexpected challenges. This joint case with Adlington Law reinforced the importance of teamwork and communication.
I’ve been an advisor at Bragagnini since 2009 and have been in financial services since 1987, you could say I’ve seen it all. My previous companies include Barclays and John Charcol.
What I immediately discovered at my first ever later life appointment is that I loved it! I felt I was actually making a difference in clients’ lives. Many have worked all their life trying to give security to their children and themselves, only to find that they need to borrow again when they least expected to. It’s our job to make sure that they are looked after and that we hold their hand through to completion and in many cases and beyond.
It was a case in which I became extremely involved, which led me to be asked to talk at this year’s Later Life Lending Summit. I had met with a lovely 76-year-old woman who had lived in her London house since 1975. Somehow, it transpired that the property had a large mortgage on it with a high street lender. The property was in her late husband’s name and the current bank had been trying to evict her since 2017. To add to the complexities of the case, the late husband had been made bankrupt, and the charge was still on the property.
My joint presentation with Adlington Law highlighted how important it is that all parties communicate well to get cases over the finish line. The case reached a positive conclusion, although not without its fair share of drama, culminating in completion just one day before the final offer expired.
It’s been a privilege to share this story at such a wonderful event, thank you the Equity Release Council, I’ve had a great time.
