why should you use an independent mortgage broker?
Firstly, let’s deal with the elephant in the room
We realise that we’ve got somewhat of a vested interest here. An independent mortgage broker telling you that you should use an independent mortgage broker is perhaps unsurprising, and could certainly be called self-serving. But bear with us. We’re pretty confident that you’ll agree with us in about five minutes time.
Mortgages are just about the biggest financial commitment most of us will ever make. Yet it’s a commitment that is not without complications. There are thousands of products available, each with their own nuance. And the whole process comes with lots of questions. Do you fix? Do you track? Should you take a short-term deal? Should you go long? Do you pay the arrangement fee? Do you take a product without fees? We could go on.
Independent mortgage brokers can help you answer these questions (and a whole lot more), to help you find the most suitable and competitive mortgage for your circumstances. And then manage the process through to completion, making it hassle-free and as quick as possible. Even if you don’t use us (although of course we’d very much like it if you did), using a good broker is a decision you simply won’t regret. And here’s why.
Whole of market mortgage advice
A broker will search the whole of the mortgage market for you to find the most suitable product for your unique circumstances. If you go directly to a lender, you’re only going to have access to their products which may, or may not, be the most suitable for you. With a broker you’ll receive advice that’s specific to you and the most suitable product, because we’re not tied to any particular provider.
Mortgage Market Knowledge
Finding a mortgage is only a small part of the process. Overall knowledge really is key. We make it our business to know what’s happening with all the lenders, all the time. We know which products you can access, which lenders might not look favourably on your application and, crucially, what lenders’ service levels are like at any given time. Now, more than ever, that last one is crucial. All of this goes into deciding what’s right for you. Because we help people get it right first time. Something that is often all too important when it comes to securing a property.
Some lenders only use the broker market to distribute their products
We can access products that aren’t available to the general public, because some lenders only offer their products through an intermediary (that’s us). These products may be the perfect fit for you, but if you don’t use a broker, you’ll never know that they even exist.
We're fully qualified and regulated
Unlike some parts of the property process, we need professional qualifications to provide mortgage advice and we work under the statutory regulation of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This offers you comfort and a large amount of reassurance.
No one likes hassle. We take it all away from you
Of course, we would say this, but we’re pretty confident that if you’ve ever tried to do it alone, you’ll agree that getting a mortgage and buying a home can be complicated. It’s a pain (in several parts of your body). There are countless forms to fill out, as well as numerous parties to chase down throughout the process. We do all that for you. We’ll work with you to ensure your forms are filled out impeccably, preparing your case with an attention to detail that a rocket scientist would be proud of. But we don’t just stop there. We’ll manage the whole process right the way through to completion. We liaise with lenders, solicitors and any other parties in the process, keeping you up to date and ensuring you remain calm and in control.
We're open all hours
For those of a certain age you’re probably thinking about Ronnie Barker and that till right now. They don’t make comedy like that these days. Anyway, we digress (significantly). We don’t just work a standard 9-5 (you’re probably singing that now). We are available at times that suit you. After all, you’ve got a job to do and speaking to us at 11am in the morning often doesn’t work for our clients. If the evenings are better, or the weekend suits you well, then that’s when we’ll speak. This flexibility sets us apart from the banks and building societies on the high street.
Not everyone is average. And that’s fine with us
If you trawl the high street for a mortgage and you’ve got something that isn’t quite standard, chances are you won’t have a lot of luck. If you’re self-employed, have seasonal income or you’ve got a history of credit issues, you may find it difficult to get a mortgage. Well, we have access to a wide range of specialist lenders and a wealth of experience in aiding those who, for whatever reason, don’t quite fit the standard borrower profile.
It's a relationship, not just a transaction
There’s not really an easy way to say this without sounding like some mildly cheesy and broadly irritating advert for a travel company, but we are with you for the journey (we said it would be cheesy). We don’t just sell you a product and then leave you to it. We want to help you for the rest of your life (well, at least the bit where you need mortgage advice). We will regularly review your mortgage and your circumstances and make sure you’re always in the best place. We’ll also make sure that, as you approach the end of a mortgage, we speak to you about what to do next.