Buying a home can be a complicated process and now, after the financial turmoil of the last decade, it has become no simpler. Obtaining a mortgage is not the straightforward activity it once was.

Securing the right mortgage for you - on the best terms available - can be a complicated business. That is why you should use the best mortgage broker you can find.

Here are a few tips when considering who to speak with about your financial needs;

  • Here today - gone tomorrow? Make sure that whomever you speak with, their business has a credible and established track record in this specialist sector of the financial markets. You wouldn’t seek out a junior doctor for open heart surgery. Neither should you pick the first mortgage broker you come across. Choose an established practice.
  • Is your broker authorised to advise? Mortgage brokers and independent financial advisors should be authorised by the FCA. Ask to see their accreditation details if you are unsure.
  • Are they qualified to advise you? There are a variety of qualifications available to professional IFA's. They vary in discipline. If you are unsure, ask your broker about their experience and qualifications.
  • Are they truly independent? If you are seeking independent financial advice make sure your broker is not tied to just one lender! To obtain independent financial advice it makes sense to expect your financial advisor is independent.
  • Is your advisor insured ? If you receive bad advice it’s good to know that the broker at fault has professional indemnity insurance. This is there to pay out when an advisor is proven to have been negligent when advising you. Make sure your broker is insured.
  • How does your broker get paid? Many brokers these days charge a fee to research the best deal for you and process your application. If you are looking for independent advice, this makes sense. Most lenders also offer fees to brokers that place their products. The important thing is that your broker is completely transparent when advising you and this should include a clear breakdown of how and when he or she is paid for their time.
  • Word of mouth? There is nothing like personal recommendation when deciding on who to use as your mortgage advisor. At Mortgage Required we know that happy customers make for more customers.

At Mortgage Required we specialise in advising clients requiring a mortgage - the clue is in our name! All our brokers are properly qualified to offer knowledgeable, independent and trusted advice and in 2015 a whopping 96% of our clients rated our service as either ‘good’ or ‘excellent’.

For more information Contact us to speak to a mortgage adviser.

Download our Free First Time Buyers Guide

Recent posts

Data shows landlords could miss out on green mortgages due to expired energy performance certificates.

Buying a house is a big deal, and where you are planning to buy will make a difference financially. In this short blog, we look at the most affordable and most expensive areas and how much you need to be earning to buy in there.

Equity release is a type of mortgage that allows homeowners 55 and over to access money from their property's equity without having to leave their home. This is done by securing a loan against the house which is usually repaid by selling the property when the borrower passes away or has to move into long-term care.

It’s important to ask questions about the property you are interested in before taking that step to make an offer. A little probing can make all the difference between buying your dream house or something that requires a lot of work.

There are millions of homeowners over the age of 60 who are likely to release money from their homes to pay for their lifestyle during retirement giving those who are 'asset rich but cash poor' a way to live out their retirement the way they wish. 

The average age of a first-time buyer in the UK is two years older than 10 years ago. This is understandable with managing the cost-of-living and challenges within the economy such as high interest rates making it difficult to get onto the property ladder.

Skipton Building Society launches ‘Delayed Start’ mortgage meaning first time buyers won’t be required to make repayments for the first three months. 

According to a survey by Skipton, first time buyers who bought their home in the last five years found that in the first three months of living there, they were spending upwards of £30,000.

If you have recently moved into a property with a garden that requires a little TLC, or you’d like to get on top of your current green space, check out our tips.