Applying for mortgage with provider that has no local office

ct2008

When looking for a mortgage it seems the best deals are with lenders that don’t have offices anywhere near us...we are in Derbyshire and one possible lender’’s nearest office is London (Allied Irish Bank).  Do we have to go their office to complete the application as if so this will mean a day off work for each applicant and doesn’t seem right for these times.  Or should we limit our search to those with offices we can easily get to? Any information welcome. TIA

K_S

@ct2008 Rest assured, there should be no need to visit the lender's office. Everything usually happens over phone, email and online portals for uploading documents.

Sitting in the north west, I put in an application for a client buying in Sussex using a building society based in the north east. Everything can be done over phone and online, no office visits or physical documentation are usually required. At most, some lenders may require a document with a wet-signature that can be sent by post.

Ps: Can't comment on AIB specifically.

davidmcn

I've never visited the offices of any lender I've had a mortgage with, and I'd be surprised if any insisted on such a visit (especially in current circumstances).

DCFC79

It will all be online, Ive chosen a solicitor who lives possibly 90 minutes to 2 hours away, Ive never met her, everything has been by post or email. Any brokers I spoke to were all over the phone or email

Outside of the pandemic it would still all be done online.

Squeaky9

Even pre-pandemic it was all online or by post. First mortgage back in 2013 was with Furness Building Society and I was in Kent. Not had to actually step foot in a bank for years. 

[Deleted User]

Most providers are usually happy with scans / PDFs.
Sending the originals by special delivery or providing certified copies usually works.

MovingForwards

My lender is in London, my broker is in Manchester I'm in Scotland. Everything was done by phone, email and post. 

You don't need a local lender, just one you feel happy to have your mortgage with for a few years. You don't need a local broker, just one you're comfortable with, have trust, can ask questions and receive answers in plain English so there's no misunderstanding.