How do I find a good mortgage broker?

Dave_Ham

Word of mouth works perfectly, although when adverse credit is involved it becomes trickier; same with Facebook etc.

Most people are not going to be comfortable saying they have had debt issues and need specialist help

Aside from this barrier, cannot beat recommendations.

SilverMist

I used unbiased.co.uk after a ssuggestion on my thread and found a fantastic broker, who in 2 weeks he has got us a mortgage agreed (pending valuation) after wasting 6 weeks with an in-house MA. I just looked locally on the site, checked the websites and qualifications although to be honest I haven't a clue lol. When i called him at 6.30pm and he returned my call straight away and spoke at length on and off until 9pm - that made me trust him immediately. A bottle of something will be working it's way to him soon as he has been brilliant, keeping me updated, returning calls and emails. I will be recommending him to everyone i know and will also use a guy he works alongside for our will.

Oh and this site and all its advice has been invaluable and kept me sane!

amnblog

Result for you Silvermist but sounds more like luck than method.

Malmo

Let_Us_See wrote: »

Malmo I would consider all your requirements standard practice for a good, experienced, hands-on adviser. However, cannot understand why you required a FF with the IDD?

I didn't necessarily require a Fact Find upfront or with the IDD, but I took it as a sign that the broker was organised and wanted me to have everything I needed. I could apply the same principle for solicitors - I contacted about 7 in the end and only one of the firms stood out as being comprehensive and bothered to provide a Terms of Business amongst their attachments, not just the quotation sheet and their schedule of "other" potential fees. This one also followed up a week or 2 later to see what my position was.

The broker I am in contact with right now visited us at home at a time suitable for us. I had all my documents organised and filed in a plastic document folder and the Fact Find was completed and sent back to her before she visited (at her request).

She has been very responsive and happy to answer all my questions in some depth. I've taken the approach that it is a working relationship that you need to establish and build, rather than just calling someone at the last minute when you "need" a mortgage. This a stressful and expensive process as it is - clients can help themselves by doing a little reading and research upfront and being prepared.

VFR-Rider

I stalked the forums for a little while then picked one of the ones that I liked.

No regrets on this side. I didn't have anyone to ask for a recommendation who's circumstances were anything like mine. I'm also not overly open with people I interact with on financial issues.

I agree that advertising should not be allowed on this site (I'd like to see it gone from most sites in all honesty!).

However there are some very prolific posters here that continually give sound (and free) advice that to me shows a very good insight into how they would be if you worked for them.

With the added benefit if your case is slow and they're posting here all day you could always reference it....

amnblog

VFR-Rider wrote: »

I agree that advertising should not be allowed on this site (I'd like to see it gone from most sites in all honesty!).

We cannot advertise in the posts but Martin subtly includes the odd promotion in the side bar.

amnblog

VFR-Rider wrote: »

and they're posting here all day you could always reference it....

Earlier this year a thread was set up that I recognised referred to a scenario that my colleague was dealing with. On investigation I realised that it was the same enquirer that my colleague had notified that SA302s were needed to progress.


The enquirer was on here looking for an alternate response.


The truth finally came out that no tax returns had been completed and hence no SA302s were possible.


So it does happen that we see cases in the office first then on here later.

Vick9863

We have struggled with chronically incapable brokers over the last three years

We have great credit files
£50k deposit
Want to buy a £300k property (approx)
Are self employed with a successful business
And over 50
Don't currently own a property
Obvs a complex income

Might it just be that we simply don't fit in any mortgageable pigeon hole and therefore no broker would be of any help at all ?

amnblog

For a lender, a 'successful business' is a profitable one.

If your business is proven profitable over two or three years you are over one barrier.

Credit history is another barrier you are over.

Deposit a third.

If you meet affordability also you have been talking to the wrong brokers.

gharrower

i went to one initially a year ago at the back of an estate agents , seemed like he knew what he was talking about although he didn't do whole of market , ended up as time went on and things got more desperate he suggested i tell bank that me and my wife had split up and werent living together which was alarm bells ringing.

I rented for a year and got financials straight and went to whole of market broker through recommendation of a friend , i asked him a few questions about my financials as i am uk resident not paying tax through foreign earnings as i am a seafarer , he has dealt with similar cases and gave answers i was looking for.

My wife went in with all paperwork as i was away , an hours meeting and then 2 weeks later we had full acceptance from bank.

was impressed and would recommended him to anyone now