The first Mortgage Market Snapshot of 2026 shows a decisive rebound in adviser activity following the seasonal slowdown in December. Searches across the Twenty7tec platform rose sharply in January as advisers returned to their desks and pipelines began moving again. Total searches reached 1,917,649, representing a 75.8% increase month on month, signalling a strong start to the year for the mortgage market.
While January typically sees activity bounce back after the festive period, this year’s figures also highlight continued demand across several key areas of the market.
Remortgaging remains front of mind
Remortgage activity continues to play a central role in adviser searches. In January, residential remortgage searches rose by 79.1% month on month, reaching 717,889 searches.
This reflects borrowers reassessing their existing deals in what remains a rate-sensitive environment. With a widely reported wave of mortgage maturities expected throughout 2026, advisers are focusing on helping existing borrowers secure value and navigate their refinancing options.
The continued strength of remortgage searches is also reflected in the year-on-year figures. Compared with January 2025, remortgage searches increased by 19.4%, reinforcing the importance of refinancing activity in the current market cycle.
First-time buyer demand returns
Encouragingly, first-time buyer activity also showed a strong recovery at the start of the year.
First-time buyer purchase searches increased by 81.6% month on month, totalling 318,717 searches in January. This suggests underlying demand from prospective buyers remains resilient despite affordability pressures and ongoing market uncertainty.
However, when viewed year on year, the picture is more nuanced. First-time buyer searches were 6% lower than January 2025, which reflects the stronger market conditions seen last year when buyers were also responding to the upcoming stamp duty deadline.
Buy-to-let shows early signs of recovery
Buy-to-let activity also rebounded after a quieter end to 2025.
Searches in this sector rose to 303,166 in January, representing a 61.7% increase compared with December. While this growth follows a subdued December period, it indicates investor appetite remains present in the market.
As landlords continue to adapt to regulatory changes and shifting economic conditions, advisers remain active in exploring options for both purchases and refinancing within the sector.
Purchase market still recalibrating
Across the wider purchase market, activity also increased significantly month on month.
Total purchase searches excluding first-time buyers reached 162,695, rising 79.0% compared with December as home mover activity returned after the seasonal dip.
Despite this strong monthly rebound, the year-on-year figures show a more measured picture. Total purchase searches were 5.5% lower than January 2025, highlighting how the market is continuing to recalibrate following the heightened activity seen last year.
Criteria searches highlight growing case complexity
Beyond headline search volumes, criteria searches on the Twenty7tec platform reveal the types of borrower scenarios advisers are increasingly working through.
Some of the most common searches in January included questions around credit history, residency status, visa applicants, maximum age at the end of the mortgage term, and the treatment of defaults.
These trends underline the growing complexity of cases advisers are handling and the importance of having access to accurate and up-to-date lender criteria.
Data-driven insight into adviser behaviour
Search data from the Twenty7tec platform provides a unique view into adviser intent and market direction.
As advisers respond to shifting borrower needs, changing interest rate expectations and evolving lending criteria, tools like INSIGHT Pro help provide a real-time barometer of activity across the mortgage market.
January’s figures demonstrate that while the market continues to adjust following a challenging period, adviser engagement and borrower demand remain firmly in place as 2026 begins.
