How to find a mortgage broker?

Odette

My partner and I are getting to the point where we want to start viewing properties but I would like to meet with a mortgage broker first.

We want to buy about 25 miles away from where we currently are in the south Herts area (Hatfield, WGC, Welham Green, London Colney etc). I have read that its best to get a broker in the area you are buying, is this correct?

We don't have any friends/colleagues that have bought in this area recently. So how do I go about finding a reputable broker? I have googled but there is nothing in terms of reviews from people who have used the service.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

ACG

To be honest you can have a broker anywhere, i have clients in leicester, newcastle, sheffield and a few in Liverpool/Chester way - all have been happy enough dealing over the phone internet.

But personally if i were buying my house i would want to meet the person im giving all of my personal details to.
There is a broker on here called Dave Ham, hes based in London/Essex way and ive personally put some of my own clients in touch with him when i have struggled to help them. You are more likely to find him on the Mortgage Forum than here.

Alternatively just do a search on google, i would avoid an estate agent based broker as you can never be sure theyre not telling the agent how much you can afford - which means you could be paying more for the property than you need to.

lessonlearned

Obviously personal recommendation is best, so you could try asking around - work colleagues etc. Same with choosing a solicitor.

I agree try to avoid an EA based broker.

Odette

lessonlearned wrote: »

Obviously personal recommendation is best, so you could try asking around - work colleagues etc. Same with choosing a solicitor.

I agree try to avoid an EA based broker.

Like I said, no one I know has used a broker before so its hard to find one via recommendation. I guess I will keep googling.

dumpallhere

http://www.unbiased.co.uk/find-an-adviser

Dan-Dan

Odette wrote: »

Like I said, no one I know has used a broker before so its hard to find one via recommendation. I guess I will keep googling.

It`s well worth considering ACG`s sound advice , brokers cant approach for your business but nothing stops them being recommended , Dave Ham is excellent

GDVS

Dan-Dan wrote: »

It`s well worth considering ACG`s sound advice , brokers cant approach for your business but nothing stops them being recommended , Dave Ham is excellent

Been reading this forum for a while now and there appears to be virtually nothing Dave Ham doesn't know about the mortgage market, particularly for more tricky to place applications.