Becoming a Mortgage Advisor - Any advice?

Timeforachange_2

Thank you everyone. You've all given me options that I haven't even considered. So i'll look into those today and let you know which one I embark on.

Thaks again.

Timeforachange_2

I just had a quick look at the IFS and CII sites. I'm now confused. Why would anyone do the courses through organisations such as Newleaf and Herne Group when you can go direct to the professional organisations? The only downside is finding a position once I've completed the basic mortgage courses. I saw on another thread that Reed.co.uk seem to be quite good at advertising for Trainee positions. Would you all agree?

This is a complete career change for me. I'm an Environmental Health Officer, specialising in Food Safety. I moved to Brighton from London nearly a year ago and have found finding a full time position in this area near impossible. I'm not willing to drive at least 2 hours a day into London to do a job I'm not so in love with! So it seems a perfect time in my life to do something completely different as I approach the magic age of 40.

shameless-about-money

My career change was a complete change for me - I worked in medicine for 23 years.

The IFS course is wonderful - but all on paper.

I paid £495 for a tutored course so that I had someone in front of me when I needed to/wanted to ask questions.

I have to say that it was worth every single penny too. It is tax allowable so there is that benefit!

Nick~C_3

Timeforachange,

"The only downside is finding a position once I've completed the basic mortgage courses"

Have you considered joining a network?
If you contact them they will give you the details of all the branches (i.e. estate agents, financial services firms etc) under their umbrella which fall in your area. I approached 2 local firms and both wanted me to start asap.

The network should offer training and competence guidance including inductions, continuous professional development sessions, administration software, etc.

If this is something that interests you then PM me and I will give you the details of my network.


Nick

Timeforachange_2

Hello Nick C

Sorry I didn't reply earlier, I was away for a few days. Yes I would appreciate further information about your Network. I would PM you, but I can't see on my screen any buttons/icons where I can PM you or start a new thread. Hence why I hijacked this one!

shameless-about-money

To pm you click on the username and it brings up some options

Timeforachange have sent you a pm with some links.

Skippyd00

Hi - I've just signed up with the Herne group for CeMAP 1-3, and reading your threads am wondering if I've chosen an incorrect route into mortgage advising.

Having been a business consultant for many years with a hobby of buying and selling properties, I have decided to change career (mid life crisis and all that, ha, ha!). I thought I could set up as self-employed hopefully linking myself as an associate to other people/organisations...am I being unrealistic?

shameless-about-money

You can be self-employed but you must pass your exams first, then find a Company whom will either pay you a salary or have you work for them self-employed, until you achieve Competent Adviser Status. This takes 3-12 months when the Company will "sign you off" so that you are free to work.

Herne is alright but from what others have posted it would seem that all you have done is bought the paperwork twice!

Timeforachange_2

Hello Skippd00

I was going to sign up with Herne Group aswell. But as Shameless rightly said, it seems as if you also have to pay IFS for study material aswell which seemed a bit pointless to me.

I'm dithering on making a decision. But I think I'm going to sign directly with IFS.

shameless-about-money

Sign up with the IFS which is £130 x 3. You will then get all of the course notes in two files.

The IFS takes 3 weeks or more to send these out.

If necessary, go on one of these five day courses, which is what I did. It was worth every penny for me @ £495 for each week of two. It is tax allowable too, you know!

I did mine with Money Marketing. Cannot fault the tutor, he was fantastic.