Market for certification of mortgage advisors has remained buoyant

As the credit crunch has sapped consumer confidence, buyers have been flocking to intermediaries and the market has "remained buoyant" for those wanting to qualify as mortgage advisors.

The ifs School of Finance, which provides the Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP) has said that the number of people registering to become certified intermediaries "remains healthy".

Mark Roberts, head of financial regulation at the ifs School of Finance, said: "Our figures for 2008 remain buoyant and, if registrations continue at the current rate, the year should prove to be another successful one for the industry - with a healthy influx of newly qualified individuals able to give competent and knowledgeable advice to consumers."

Although the overall number of those registering to take CeMAP compared to last year, this is, Mark Roberts says, not surprising considering "2007 was a record year for CeMAP®".

First-time buyers and existing homeowners looking to move but struggling to secure a mortgage need the "help and advice of a qualified adviser more than ever".

Statistics from the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries confirmed that ten per cent more first-time buyers have sought professional mortgage advice this year than last.

Mortgages News posted on 17/06/2008 13:21:19