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Brokers are taking a greater share of the remortgage market with the number of borrowers seeking intermediary advice up 8% in the last two months.

In April, 44% of remortgage customers consulted an independent advisor or broker, up from 39% in March and 36% in February.

Britons are also becoming more proactive about remortgaging as they look to take advantage of rock bottom mortgage rates, according to research by property services outsourcing company LMS.

While 47% borrowers remortgaged solely because their current deal had ended, that figures is down by 5% over two months.

The LMS customer survey also revealed that 65% of customers who remortgaged their properties in April did so in order to access lower mortgage rates, down from the 68% in March.

Some 30% increased the size of their loan, with one in five increasing the amount by as much as £10,000.

In addition, 37% remortgaged to reduce their monthly payments by up to £500 in order to free up cash.

Other reasons for remortgaging included funding home improvements, paying off other debts, or helping children onto the property ladder.

Almost eight in 10 borrowers who remortgaged switched lenders to get the best deal available to them in the market.

Andy Knee, chief executive of LMS, said: "The stringent lending criteria imposed by the Mortgage Market Review last year has driven more people to use the expert advice provided by specialist intermediaries to help them navigate the mortgage maze.

"Finding the best rate is only part of the battle, with brokers also able to help borrowers prepare for the more detailed checks and processes now required.

"As well as proving a useful resource for borrowers, brokers are also helping lenders handle increased levels of business.

"Fewer customers cited the end of their current deal as the reason behind remortgaging, which suggests they're well aware of how to use their current deals to restructure and make the most of their finances."

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