Hsbc mortgages

Nicki1878

I've been advised against going with HSBC on the grounds that it takes a long time to get an appointment with them and up to 4 weeks before they even start processing mortgage applications. Can anyone report what their experiences with HSBC have been like?

Thanks

Oxid8uk

I recently got a mortgage from HSBC. Apart from being told incorrect information over the phone (was a second mortgage - over the phone they said 85% LTV was fine, wasn't until I went into branch to apply that I was then told they would only lend up to 80% LTV). Other to that I was able to get an appointment in branch quickly even though I could only have an appointment on a Saturday due to work committments Monday - Friday (I was however very flexible and had my choice of different branches to go to). Once applied for they were very quick. I had barely stepped foot out of the branch before the surveyors rang to organise the valuation/Homebuyers survey, and the mortgage offer came through in less than 10 days. When I had to make a change to the amount to borrow they were really efficient and sent a revised mortgage offer through in 2 days. All in all, apart from the hiccup at the very beginning, I thought HSBC were very good.

Meeper

You will likely have been told this by a "broker", because HSBC don't traditionally deal with intermediaries, and even when they do there is no commission payment made. It's a pretty standard argument for those brokers who aren't able to justify themselves through quality service, they have to belittle the opposition instead.

There is nothing wrong with HSBC's service that every other lender doesn't experience from time to time. I could recommend that you go to any one of 10 different lenders who, at that particular moment, may be having service issues.

s_glover

We are FTBs currently looking for a house and are going to apply for a mortgage with HSBC. For our initial appointment we didn't see a mortgage advisor as there were no appointments available for the next Saturday but the service was more than adequate and the member of staff we spoke to was very helpful in showing us different options available and giving us a mortgage in principle. She also arranged an appointment for us with a mortgage advisor on a saturday morning as we requested. Although we don't have an offer accepted on a house yet the mortgage advisor took all the details he needed, photocopies of paperwork etc so that the minute we get an offer accepted he can process the application. We're obviously only in the early stages but so far HSBC have provided an excellent service.

Doshwaster

Nicki1878 wrote: »

I've been advised against going with HSBC on the grounds that it takes a long time to get an appointment with them and up to 4 weeks before they even start processing mortgage applications. Can anyone report what their experiences with HSBC have been like?

Thanks

I have banked with HSBC (and Midland before them) all of my adult life so when I applied for a FTB mortgage last year, they were the first place I turned to. I did get an appointment with their "mortgage adviser" in my local branch but she didn't seem to be very knowledgeable and kept referring me to their website and call centre.

I did get an Agreement in Principle out of HSBC which was useful in deciding my budget and when talking to estate agents but otherwise they were useless. In the end I found a wonderful local whole market IFA who explained everything, went into all of my options in details and guided me through the whole process.

In the end I used a local solicitor, estate agent and IFA all of whom where in the same street and knew each other. That helped the whole purchase go through with the minimum of stress and I didn't have to deal with a single call centre.

Peelerfart

I've had a mortgage with HSBC since 2008 and have not had a single problem at all.
I doubt the relevance of my application process experience as my info is 3 years old, but as a customer I can only say that I have never had cause to complain.

So much better than my last lot .

Mrs_Z

We remortgaged with them back in July. Got an appointment within a week or so (had to be a Saturday) - the whole process was very quick once the application went in - no probs.

Just be aware that they have lots of branches so you might get an appointment quicker in a branch that's maybe not your nearest - but if you start the application process with them, you'll have to finish it with them too. For example, if they put the application for you and you want to return week later with payslips, etc - it has to be the same branch.

Nicki1878

Thanks for the info everyone. We've gone with them because they were significantly cheaper than the other mortgages we'd found. Any tips on how to stay on top of the application and make sure it all goes through smoothly, in particular making sure HSBC are working hard for us????

Matt1985_2

I and my partner are currently in the middle of the process with HSBC. We did an online application, purely for convenience. Obviously, I would only recommend an online application if the person was computer literate. Took me around 20-30mins to complete. I had a phone call within 4 hours of submittance to go through the application. A mortgage pack was sent out to us, application form, declaration, wage slips, bank statements and inside leg measurement have all been returned. Today, we popped into a branch to present our Passport as ID. OK, so this could have all been done in one appointment but we like most had work commitments and couldn't afford to wait 2/3/4 weeks for a Saturday appointment.

This all started on 5th November and now we are awaiting a formal mortgage offer. I'm going to give them a week before chasing. The phone number I was giving for the 'next' department is 08456 03 01 71 8am - 6pm Mon - Fri; remembering to quote your reference number. I hope this helps.
All going smooooooothly at present yet I do not wish to tempt fate!

We, like you, have had certain brokers telling us to stay away. Yet others have told to us to grab the deal as soon as possible!

Fingers crossed, good luck

originalmiscellany

We used First Direct to re-mortgage a year ago and thought they were excellent - very efficient with excellent communications. We didn't use a broker (couldn't) but were able to deal with all paperwork easily and found their customer service smashing.

Catslovelycats

I have a mortgage with HSBC which I took out nearly 2 years ago. I did all my dealings over the phone and by post. I had to pull out of my 1st choice of purchase and then bought another house instead. I found them nothing but helpful and polite throughout (shame I couldn't say same about the solicitor) and there was no issue with time. I was very pleased with them and plan remortgaging with them when my current deal runs out.