A survey of 2,000 UK adults reveals that 50% of UK adults who have applied for a mortgage in the last year have had their desired product withdrawn by their lender before they could secure it.

The research from Market Financial Solutions (MFS) also  reveals  that over three in ten (31%) have had an agreement in principle in place that later fell through.

In addition, it shows that 27% of mortgage customers have missed out on a property purchase due to difficulties in getting a mortgage, with 25% losing out on fees as a result of an acquisition falling through.

Meanwhile, an overwhelming majority (74%) of respondents feel there is a lack of certainty being provided by lenders at present, while 69% think lenders are not showing enough flexibility.

MFS’s research also found that most (56%) people are more open than they were a year ago to working with alternate or specialist lenders to finance a property purchase.

MFS chief executive Paresh Raja comments:  “The base rate continues to rise as the Bank of England struggles in its arm wrestle with inflation, and our research underlines how difficult this is making it for people navigating the mortgage market.

“With products being pulled left, right and centre, and with uncertainty so prevalent, mortgage customers are struggling to find the financial options they require on the high street.

Raja points out that people are in a race to re-mortgage at the best rate they can find, while others are still hunting for the right product to facilitate a property purchase.

“Clearly, too many deals are falling through and borrowers are being left in the lurch. Crucially, as interest rates are set to rise again, further volatility is likely – so, lenders must work closely with brokers and borrowers to do all they can to ensure homebuyers and investors can act with confidence in the months to come.”