Direct with Santander - they seem to be busy?

JonothanBurford

We have now sold our own house and had offer accepted on our target house so contacted Santander, as we'd previously had an AIP.  They requested a couple of pieces of information that I forwarded on to them straight away.  3 days later chased them as heard nothing back.  Spoke to the person assigned to our case by telephone a couple of times and yesterday and was told that the relevant information was okay and that he had just performed credit checks which were approved.  So next they set up our appointment which was for 2 weeks away.  So approx 3 weeks to get an appointment from contacting Santander.  Then of course comes the valuation, decision, mortgage offer etc so can see this process being around 6 weeks best case scenario which seems a long time?  Are there any people here using a broker that can cut these times down at all?  I'm guessing it's quite busy out there at the moment with the stamp duty cuts but expected things to progress a bit quicker.  Also, does anybody have any idea of what % of cases get past the credit check approval only to fail with underwriters?  Probably worrying about nothing but when you're self-employed nothing seems guaranteed.  Thanks

[Deleted User]

6 weeks sounds quick for the current times. Perhaps they've fast tracked you.

SuH3

we we went through a broker on 3/8 passed all checks awaiting valuation of property due 27/8 so looking at 5-6 weeks here till offer

izoomzoom

Think this is the current time scale via brokers https://www.santanderforintermediaries.co.uk/submit-and-track-business/our-service-levels/
Our broker is stupidly busy.

JonothanBurford

izoomzoom said:

Think this is the current time scale via brokers https://www.santanderforintermediaries.co.uk/submit-and-track-business/our-service-levels/
Our broker is stupidly busy.

Thanks, that's very helpful

hannah2283

My broker told me that they are the quickest at the moment

SuH3

update mortgage offer arrived in post yesterday via mortgage advisor, no text from Santander. Applied 3rd and letter with offer was dated 18th . 

EMJ_87

Hi @SuH3 , congrats on your offer! It seems you are very lucky then because we were told it was a three week turn around but now we are entering week 6 and still no offer. We applied on 17th July and our valuation was on 18th August (it was originally booked for 2nd September but I kicked up a massive stink). We have escalated it ,so fingers crossed for something this week!

SuH3

@EMJ_87 we were told physical valuation was being done 27th August but then few days later offer was in the post , all very strange but checked through offer and signed . Fingers crossed for you 

firsttimebuyerlpl

We had our physical valuation done on Wednesday with Santander. Waiting to hear more news. They haven’t asked for more documents or question and they’ve done the credit searches I think. Hopefully hear this week 

EMJ_87

@SuH3 perhaps they squeezed a desktop valuation in? I've just called Santander and they confirmed there is nothing outstanding for our application, just awaiting review. I am really hoping for an offer by the end of the week or I may be completely grey and maybe bald by September. I will keep you posted.