Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Mortgage Solutions. Read the original article for full details.

Cawood Highlights Importance of Exit Strategies in Property Finance

Roz Cawood, managing director of property finance at StreamBank, has emphasised the need for property professionals to focus on exit strategies and forward planning in the current UK market. Cawood’s comments were published in Mortgage Solutions on 30 July 2026.

Cawood noted that conversations with brokers across the country have increasingly centred on exit strategies, rather than just deal completion. She observed that purchase activity remains subdued and affordability challenges persist for buyers, with ongoing uncertainty for landlords. According to Cawood, these factors can make exit strategies that seemed sensible at the outset much harder to achieve six or twelve months later.

Cawood suggested that the industry often focuses too much on completing deals, rather than ensuring borrowers have the best chance of successfully completing their property journey. She highlighted that few people discuss what happens after completion, such as whether borrowers are able to refinance or sell properties as planned.

The article also addresses the competitive lending environment, where new lenders are entering the market and some may be tempted to stretch criteria or take on more risk to differentiate themselves. Cawood cautioned that it is important to consider what happens if things do not go as planned, and stressed the value of flexibility in exit strategies.

Cawood stated that brokers play a key role by thinking beyond completion, maintaining contact with clients, and adapting plans as circumstances change. She suggested that this approach not only leads to better outcomes but also builds stronger relationships with borrowers.