Talking Mortgages with Hudson Rose Founder Graham Taylor…
At Nook, we love working with Hudson Rose - they’re not your standard mortgage brokers. No stiff suits, no jargon, just straight-talking advice and proper Bristol charm. They get landlords, they get Bristol, and they make mortgages refreshingly human 👏
So, we sat down with Graham Taylor, Founder at Hudson Rose, Bristol’s coolest mortgage brokerage, to talk about everything from remortgaging and rising interest rates to what first-time landlords should really be asking their broker.
Let’s start simple — for anyone who’s never worked with a mortgage broker before, what does Hudson Rose actually do, and how are you different from going direct to a bank?
At Hudson Rose, we make mortgages make sense. Think of us as your translator between the world of lenders and the world of normal humans. When you go direct to a bank, you only see their products and criteria - and if you don’t fit perfectly, it’s usually a polite “computer says no.” As brokers, we work with all the available lenders, from the big high-street names to the niche ones who actually understand landlords, quirky properties, and complex incomes. We take the stress, paperwork, and jargon off your plate and handle it all for you, from initial strategy to keys in hand. And we promise to do it without the stiff suit or the stuffy attitude.
Graham Taylor, Founder, Hudson Rose
The mortgage market has felt like a rollercoaster lately. What are you seeing right now in terms of rates, lender attitudes, and how landlords should be positioning themselves?
Rollercoaster is about right - we’ve had loops, corkscrews, and the occasional freefall. The good news is things have settled a bit. Lenders are competing again, margins are tightening, and we’re seeing some cautious optimism. For landlords, this means it’s time to get strategic. Lenders are picky, so presentation matters, tidy accounts, clean credit, realistic rent projections. If you’re expanding or remortgaging, get advice early so we can line things up before the next rate shift. The best deals usually go to those who plan ahead, not those who panic once the letter from their lender lands.
Many of our landlords ask whether to fix or stay variable. What are the key things they should consider before locking in a rate — especially with the talk of future rate cuts?
Ah, the classic “fix or float” question - a bit like deciding whether to take an umbrella when you leave the house. You’ll only know you needed it once it’s too late. Fixing gives you certainty, you’ll know exactly what’s going out each month, which is handy for budgeting and rent setting. Variables can offer flexibility, and if rates do fall, you could benefit sooner. The trick is matching your mortgage to your plans, rather than trying to predict future interest rates.
If you’re holding a property long-term, a fix might make sense. If you’re likely to sell, refinance, or refurbish in the near future, a tracker or shorter-term deal might be smarter. Either way, don’t guess, run the numbers with someone who can show you the pros and cons clearly (like us or your friendly crew at Nook).
For investors expanding their portfolio, what’s the smartest way to structure borrowing — in personal names or through a limited company — and when is it worth making that switch?
This one’s a bit like whether to run your business as a sole trader or a limited company - it depends on your goals, income, and tax position. Limited company buy-to-lets can offer better tax efficiency, especially for higher-rate taxpayers, because interest costs are still fully deductible (at the time of writing!). But the rates and fees are often slightly higher, and there’s more admin involved. If you’re building a proper portfolio, a company structure is usually worth it. If you’ve just got one or two properties, staying personal might still be fine. The key is getting joined-up advice - talk to your accountant, then your broker. And if you want a local sounding board, Nook and Hudson Rose are always up for a coffee to chat through it.
Hudson Rose Team - You won’t find any stuffy suits or ties here
Remortgaging is a big topic in our world — what are your top tips for landlords approaching the end of their fixed term, and how far in advance should they start planning?
Six months before your current deal ends is the magic number. That’s when we can lock in a new rate without triggering early repayment charges, and it gives time to shop around. Don’t wait for your lender’s “your deal is ending” letter, that’s when you’ve already lost your head start. And don’t assume sticking with your current lender is best; product transfers can be easy but not always the cheapest option. We’ll do the legwork, compare the market, and make sure you don’t end up on a punishing variable rate. Think of it as giving your portfolio a health check, something Nook’s landlords are usually brilliant at already.
We often meet clients mid-refurbishment who need bridging or development finance. How do you approach these cases, and what’s the difference between a good short-term deal and a costly one?
Bridging and development finance can be brilliant tools, but they’re not “cheap money.” The difference between a smart bridge and a painful one is usually planning. A good deal will have a clear exit (like a remortgage or sale), realistic timescales, and manageable monthly interest. A bad one? No exit, overruns, and lenders hiking fees when things drag on. We don’t arrange bridging and development finance in-house, this is handled by our sister company, Izzy Finance. However, it’s always best to check whether there are any clever options from the mainstream market first, so we recommend chatting to us before you decide. If it really is a bridging deal, we’ll introduce you to the team at Izzy, who’ll pick it up from there.
There’s a growing group of accidental landlords — people renting out their old home rather than selling. What should they know about switching from a residential to a buy-to-let mortgage?
This happens all the time, especially when moving up the ladder or relocating. The key is: you can’t just start renting out your old home and hope for the best. You need the lender’s consent to let, or to switch onto a proper buy-to-let product. Buy-to-let criteria are different, the rent needs to meet certain stress tests, and your personal income might still be factored in. It can also affect insurance and tax, so don’t leave it to chance. We’ve helped loads of accidental landlords make the transition smoothly. If you’re in that position, Nook can find you great tenants, and we’ll make sure your mortgage fits what you’re doing.
You’re huge fans of Bristol just like us. Are there any local quirks in the mortgage world — certain property types, postcodes, or lender restrictions — that buyers should watch out for?
Loads! Bristol’s full of character and lenders don’t always love character as much as we do. We’ve got Victorian terraces split into flats, quirky leaseholds, flying freeholds, and even old shopfront conversions in places like Totterdown and Stokes Croft. Some lenders get twitchy about anything that isn’t “standard construction,” so it’s always worth checking before you make an offer. There are also a few postcode quirks, parts of BS2 and BS3 can trigger higher insurance premiums or tighter criteria due to flood risk or commercial proximity. But don’t panic; we know who to go to and who to avoid.
Finally, what’s your golden rule for anyone buying or refinancing in today’s market — something every landlord or homeowner should keep in mind before they sign on the dotted line?
Don’t rush. Whether it’s your first buy-to-let or your tenth, make sure every deal fits your bigger plan. Chasing the “cheapest rate” without thinking about flexibility, fees, or your next step can cost more in the long run. Get advice early, keep your paperwork in order, and surround yourself with good people, a solid broker, a switched-on letting agent (hello Nook 👋), and an accountant who speaks plain English. Do that, and you’ll ride whatever the market throws at you with confidence.
Big thanks to the team at Hudson Rose for sharing their wisdom (and keeping the mortgage chat genuinely interesting!).
If you’re thinking about remortgaging, expanding your portfolio, or just want some honest, jargon-free advice, give them a call and mention Nook when you get in touch. They’ll look after you.