A bad broker experience made her realise she could do better
When Kasia Makarewicz (pictured) came to the UK, she wanted to financially support the cancer treatment of her mother, who was back home in Poland. Little did she know that around 20 years later she would still be in Britain and working successfully as a mortgage broker.
Certainly, there was nothing to suggest that she would end up advising on mortgages – when she arrived in London, she took an MA degree in international public administration and worked in customer service management for an NHS sexual health clinic.
“My mum was really sick,” Makarewicz told Mortgage Introducer. “So I was thinking that this would give me a good opportunity to earn money and have a good degree as well. It was a challenge, but I thought to myself, I can't really give up, I just need learn as much as possible.”
Life takes many a twist and turn, of course, the unexpected happens, and when she came to buy her first property with her husband, she also found a new career.
“I had a mortgage broker and it was just a disaster,” Makarewicz explained. “It was probably the most horrendous experience in my life. There was a lack of understanding of our situation. We were just left in a dark forest without any clear instructions. When I finally opened the door to the property, I thought ‘I could actually do a much better job’.”
Showing an early drive that would stand her in good stead in her mortgage career, Makarewicz took her CeMAP qualifications, and, using her customer service skills as an asset, secured a position with Home of Mortgages.
“I stayed there for a very, very long time - I was one of the best ones in the firm and I really enjoyed that time,” she shared.
Restless to see what else she could achieve in the market, Makarewicz quit after almost eight years and worked with online broker Trussle, but, missing face to face client interaction, she found her current role at ClearView Mortgages in London, where she is a senior mortgage and protection adviser.
What, then, does Makarewicz believe makes a good broker?
“I think the crucial element is communication,” she said, perhaps thinking back to her formative experience as a mortgage customer. “The way you're able to communicate with your buyers and have a clear understanding of their needs, and have good listening skills. Be yourself.
“Sometimes male clients, especially those on higher salaries, will challenge me – what do you know about finance? They ask me lots of questions, just to test me. Slowly, you overcome those obstacles and you explain everything clearly, step by step.
“Having experience and knowledge and being proactive is important, making sure that you deal with the mortgage application as quickly as possible and then on top of that, continuing the journey by speaking with estate agents and obviously solicitors as well, and if there is anything outstanding, making sure that everything is done. You need to have good relationships across the board with every single party.”
Read more: 'Stand your ground – female brokers are as good as men'
Is there a level playing field for men and women in mortgages?
Makarewicz acknowledges there is now greater equity between men and women in the mortgage industry, though there is still some way to go it seems.
“I've seen women who are still a little bit too shy to put their hands up and say what they actually want and perhaps to suggest something,” she said. “In the last couple of years, we have got more power, we've got more of a voice as well. I'm a very strong person, so if I obviously don't like something, I will say straight away. Never be afraid to come out of your comfort zone, always challenge and never give up.”
Makarewicz said her mission this year is to spread the word about the value of mortgage advisers working with estate agencies – she believes they have an unfair reputation in the industry, and should be consulted as part of the mortgage process.
“They’re always worth a chat,” she urged. “A mortgage is the longest commitment in your life, and it's probably the most expensive one, yet we often only speak with one adviser. You really need to get a second opinion.
“I don't have any issues if a client speaks with someone else. They always come back to me, but it's obviously giving them a chance and opportunity to check the situation again.”
Makarewicz very sadly lost her mother to cancer, despite her best efforts to help fund her care from the UK. But what does she believe her mum would think of her life now, working as a mortgage broker in Britain?
“Oh, she would be proud of me,” she said.
