MSE Mortgage best buys vs a Broker

Calzor_Suzay

Is there much of a difference between using the MSE Mortgage best buys page with what looks like 79 lenders currently and going via an estate agents 'independent' broker?

Looking for a house right now and every new estate agent I view via tells me how amazing their mortgage broker is, best deal, ever, made the mortgage cheaper, able to borrow more, sales pitch sales pitch etc.

I know there are on commission and essentially seeing the broker is free with no fee of which I assume they just pass it onto the lender but are they actually miracle workers and stroke an amazing deal?

I already have two AIPs with Halifax and First Direct so not sure I want a bunch more hassle for negligible gains.

BarelySentientAI

EA's tame brokers will not be finding you any amazing deals.

If you want a broker, find your own.  They can be useful but they are not necessary if your circumstances are simple.  Some products are only available through brokers.

ACG

Generally speaking you can get the same deals direct as through a broker.
However...
Sometimes you can get cheaper deals through a broker than you can direct and sometimes vice versa. The difference is usually minimal. But there are exceptions where the differences can be bigger. 

However...
Estate agents brokers come in 2 categories - the ones who work for the large estate agents (usually a smaller product choice, usually heavily targetted and usually loaded premiums if you do insurance for them. 
The ones who have their own business and you are referred to them from the agents. These are usually whole of market experienced brokers.

However... nothing is ever simple in our industry and it is difficult to generalise. 

One other thought... If you are looking at a broker as a price comparison service, thats not really what we do. It forms part of the job obviously. But it is probably the smallest part. Anyone can find the cheapest product. 

Do you fit critieria? 
Does the property fit criteria? 
Do you pass affordability? 
What happens if there is a problem? Who do you call? Who fixes it?
What happens if you have a question? What happens if the estate agent is pressing you to do something in the best interest for the seller but not you? Who will stick up for you? Who will guide you? Do you need the guidance or a helping hand? 

Use a broker/dont, not everyone needs one. But our job is far more than to find the cheapest product. Anyone can do that.