Brokers accelerated remortgage pipelines ahead of product withdrawals
Remortgage-led conveyancing instructions rose sharply in the first quarter of 2026, while the number of brokers actively using a digital conveyancing platform also increased, as advisers pushed cases through ahead of product withdrawals and repricing in March.
The quarterly figures, published by conveyancing distributor conveybuddy, show total instructions more than 50% higher than in Q4 2025. Activity built through January and February before accelerating in March, when lenders pulled products and adjusted rates, prompting brokers to bring forward submissions to secure deals for clients.
The data also points to a shift towards remortgage work. A significant share of the quarter’s pipeline appears to have been pulled into March, with brokers acting quickly for existing borrowers in response to lender cut-offs.
Alongside the rise in instructions, the platform recorded growth in engagement from advisers. Active broker users increased by more than 18% over the quarter, suggesting brokers were seeking more control of the legal process when timing became critical.
At the pricing end of the market, the figures indicate continued preference for an all-inclusive remortgage conveyancing option over lender “free legals”, particularly for lower-value cases. Most instructions remained below £349, reflecting an emphasis on cost certainty and transparent fees during a volatile period for rates.
Lender activity was spread across several major banks. Barclays and NatWest were the busiest over the quarter, followed by Nationwide and Santander, with BM Solutions also featuring strongly. The close gaps between the leading lenders indicated brokers were moving swiftly in response to pricing and cashback changes.
“Q1 was shaped by a very different set of dynamics compared to the end of last year,” said Harpal Singh (pictured right), chief executive of conveybuddy. “Rather than clients holding back, we saw brokers and their clients bringing decisions forward, particularly during March when it was vital they responded quickly to lenders withdrawing products and changing rates.
“What we reported in March was a clear reaction to those market movements, but what the broader quarterly data shows is the wider impact of that behaviour. A significant volume of business was effectively pulled forward, especially in the remortgage space where clients could act more quickly.
“At the same time, we’ve seen more brokers using the platform, and that’s not by chance. In periods like this, they need confidence not just in securing a rate, but in the whole legal process that follows. Getting the conveyancing right is critical if you want that case to complete on time.”
Singh noted that conveyancing was no longer being left until later, with brokers choosing legal services at the same time as the mortgage recommendation because they knew delays at that point could jeopardise a client’s position.
“The continued demand for our all-inclusive remortgage options, particularly in the fact it is widely being chosen over ‘free legals’, also reflects that need for certainty,” he added. “Clients want to know exactly what they are paying, and brokers want to avoid any surprises that could slow things down.
“Looking ahead, it’s possible that some of this activity would have otherwise taken place later in the year, so we may see a more uneven pattern in the months ahead. However, what remains constant is the need for a conveyancing process that can keep up with how quickly the mortgage market now moves.”
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