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Countrywide

maimee_magic
maimee_magic Posts: 396 Forumite
Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
in Mortgages & endowments
Anyone any feedback on this company? The Estate Agent is recommending them so any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
«13

Comments

  • koexelek
    koexelek Posts: 7,847 Forumite
    They used to have a very limited panel of lenders. Not so sure what they are doing now though
    I am a Mortgage adviser
    You should note that this site doesn't check my status as a Mortgage Adviser, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Mortgage Adviser Code of Conduct. Any posts on here are for information and discussion purposes only and shouldn't be seen as financial advice.
  • princessamy86
    princessamy86 Posts: 4,889 Forumite
    About 11 lenders as far as I'm aware. Definitely not whole of market.
    Scar tissue that I wish you saw, sarcastic mister know it all, close your eyes and I'll kiss you cause with the birds I'll share this lonely view.
  • opinions4u
    opinions4u Posts: 19,411 Forumite
    I would hazard a guess that the estate agent you are using is owned by them.

    http://www.countrywideplc.co.uk/
  • betmunch
    betmunch Posts: 3,126 Forumite
    They will be based in an Estate Agent.
    They can use loads of lenders, not just 11.
    The advice is only going to be as good as the advisor giving it.
    Their protection is heavily loaded and can be gotten elsewhere cheaper if you know what you are doing.
    Avoid the Countrywide Property Lawyers like the plague!

    Cheers
    I am a Mortgage Adviser
    You should note that this site doesn't check my status as a Mortgage Adviser, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Mortgage Adviser Code of Conduct. Any posts on here are for information and discussion purposes only and shouldn't be seen as financial advice.
  • minimike2
    minimike2 Posts: 2,210 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Errm, they have a panel of 9 lenders.......
  • betmunch
    betmunch Posts: 3,126 Forumite
    They have a access to a huge ammount of lenders. Not just 11, certainly not just 9.

    Mike, as you said on another thread, they are not whole of market.

    Cheers
    I am a Mortgage Adviser
    You should note that this site doesn't check my status as a Mortgage Adviser, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Mortgage Adviser Code of Conduct. Any posts on here are for information and discussion purposes only and shouldn't be seen as financial advice.
  • minimike2
    minimike2 Posts: 2,210 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Their own website lists their panel of 9 lenders.

    http://www.mortgagescountrywide.co.uk/mortgages/panel.asp


    I do especially like the line:

    "Please note - if there is not a suitable product from our panel, we will consider products from other lenders."

    So basically, if they dont get a sale, they might decide to go "off-panel". After all, "suitable" doesn't mean "best".

    I.E, they have 9 lenders.
  • betmunch
    betmunch Posts: 3,126 Forumite
    Mike,

    That statement just proves my point that they have access to loads of lenders.

    9 is out of date, it should be a panel of 11 lenders.

    Cheers
    I am a Mortgage Adviser
    You should note that this site doesn't check my status as a Mortgage Adviser, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Mortgage Adviser Code of Conduct. Any posts on here are for information and discussion purposes only and shouldn't be seen as financial advice.
  • Dan_1976
    Dan_1976 Posts: 943 Forumite
    11 lol, what a crock!

    Trying to get off panel will be like pullin teeth. They are wolves, stay away!
    "Banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies." Thomas Jefferson
    "How can I believe in God when just last week I got my tongue caught in the roller of an electric typewriter?" Woody Allen

    Debt Apr 2010 £0
  • betmunch
    betmunch Posts: 3,126 Forumite
    Dan,

    You are Tarring about 800 Consultants/Advisors/Salesmen with one brush there my friend.

    Yes, getting a Salesman off panel will be like pulling teath!

    But not for the many Consultants and Advisors they employ, they will check the full panel.

    I have a very good friend currently unhappily employed with Countrywide. The reason he is unhappy? His boss is a proper shark of a salesman and wants him to be the same. But he is a qualified IFA and is sticking to his guns and only advising and recomending on his clients needs, not his sales targets.

    There are good people at Countrywide, but, as is true with any organisation, there are bad ones as well.

    Cheers
    I am a Mortgage Adviser
    You should note that this site doesn't check my status as a Mortgage Adviser, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Mortgage Adviser Code of Conduct. Any posts on here are for information and discussion purposes only and shouldn't be seen as financial advice.
This discussion has been closed.
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