Mortgage Search Volumes Hit 2.15 Million in March as Borrowers React to Economic Uncertainty

Residential remortgage searches hit 907,610 in March 2026, a 32% increase from February and 37% higher than the same period last year. This surge followed a broader spike in total mortgage adviser activity, which reached 2,150,593 searches — the highest level of the year. The increase reflects borrowers actively securing new rates as they approach the end of existing deals amid shifting mortgage pricing and economic uncertainty. Total mortgage adviser activity rose 19% from February and 17% year on year, driven by a mix of remortgage, purchase, and buy-to-let demand. Residential purchase searches reached 725,485, up 8% from February and 5% from March 2025, despite ongoing affordability challenges. Meanwhile, buy-to-let mortgage searches climbed to 343,746, an 18% increase from February and 12% year on year. First-time buyer searches rose to 173,752, a 5% monthly increase, though activity remains slightly below 2025 levels. The March data also shows a growing share of searches related to applicants on visas, reflecting a broader mix of client profiles entering the market.