HSBC getting appointment to continue mortgage application

me_54m

Hi all,

I'm a First time buyer. Last month I got a decision in principle from HSBC (online). This weekend I made an offer on a property that was accepted. I've just tried to make an appointment to continue my application but it won't be for nearly three weeks!

First I tried to make an appointment to go into a branch, but all the local mortgage advisors only work 1 Saturday a month, so they don't have appointments till the end of October / start of November!!! Also the phone operator explained that if you start your application in branch then you can only get updates by going into the branch with another appointment which is another headache to arrange.

As a result I tried to make a telephone appointment but the closest one of those that is outside of working hours isn't until the middle of October. Also I'm a teacher so it's not possible to take half a day off work to do it.

Is this standard? I'm debating whether to give London and Country a call and start again with someone else. Also I don't know whether to appoint a solicitor yet as they might not be approved if I end up with someone else!

amateur_house

I got my mortgage from HSBC and had to wait 2 weeks to get an appointment. I don't know if other lenders are the same, but they told me there was no point in arranging a meeting for the affordability check etc until after I had an offer accepted on a property. The estate agents weren't too happy about the delay, and tried to persuade me to have a meeting with their mortgage broker to try and speed things up. I got some solicitors quotes from the reallymoving website, but then waited until after my meeting with HSBC before instructing them to do the conveyancing.

Bonfire_Bride

I wouldn't be happy with that timescale. If it's that difficult to get your application through, then how many other time issues are you going to encounter along the way. We used a mortgage broker and our full application was submitted as soon as all of the documents he requested were in his possession. Super fast.

I wonder how many potential customers they are losing due to this.

ap1985

That is a long time to wait for an appointment. Especially if you need to constantly book appointments for updates etc. I would really recommend using a mortgage broker. London and Country had my whole mortgage process completed within 2.5 weeks!

amnblog

Lenders are not geared up for the work - therefore you wont get the service you need, and that's the simple truth.