Ella McLean is a mortgage adviser with Guardian Smith, based at 4 Cranford Street in Sydenham, Christchurch. The adviser has more than a decade in financial services and helps with first home purchases, upsizing, refinancing, investment property, rate refixes, and KiwiSaver and insurance enquiries. The website says the adviser bought a first home at 21 and has built an investment portfolio, and that she has won awards in the mortgage space. Enquiries can be made online, by a form that gets a reply within one business day, or by phone. The group is licensed under the Financial Services Group, and the website says its advice is general in nature and that people should take independent advice for their situation.
Customers say the adviser is organised and responsive, explains things well, and checks in to keep things on track. Investment property purchases and refinancing come up most often, along with the advice on interest rates. One customer said the adviser was a gem through home ownership, renovation and investment. Another said the mortgage process was made straightforward and painless. Nearby, of the two mortgage brokers within a kilometre with ten or more reviews, none rates higher. Our pick in Sydenham for a first home, an investment property or a refinance from an adviser who keeps in touch.