What is a mortgage broker?
A mortgage broker is sometimes considered a middle man who brokers loans in favour of people or businesses. The job of a mortgage broker is to identify banks or direct lenders that would make the actual loan an individual seeks.
Finding a good deal for a mortgage loan in Hertfordshire will be easier if you work with a mortgage broker. If you work with a reputable mortgage broker and have a poor credit score or any other issues that could affect your mortgage application, your chances would be greatly improved.
With regulations in place to make sure professional mortgage brokers follow banking and finance laws in the relevant customer jurisdiction, you won’t have to worry about being in the wrong hands.
Handy Tools and Calculators
You can easily plan your future once you have an idea of the maximum you can borrow and how much the loan will cost. Find out just how much your mortgage repayments are going to be, dependent on your interest rate and full loan amount, using this handy calculator. Just enter those values together with your term and press ‘Click to calculate’ to instantly see how much you’ll need to repay each month.
Why Use A Mortgage Broker?
In Hertfordshire, working with a mortgage broker on your mortgage application is beneficial in a number of ways. Some of the most prominent benefits are:
Save Money
The most visible benefit of choosing to work with a mortgage broker is that you will likely save money. You’ll be required to complete a few details, but the hard work is managed by an experienced professional, who has your best interests in mind.
Some people worry about how true this is, considering the entire idea of mortgage brokers is still misunderstood somewhat around the globe. So, where is the catch? As understandable as such thoughts are, it’s important to understand that mortgage brokers have nothing to gain by not working in your best interests.
If the broker cannot provide genuine reasons for recommending the mortgage they have (to you, their regulators, the Financial Conduct Authority or the Prudential Regulation Authority), then they could be in serious trouble. Exclusive mortgage deals not found on the high street can be unearthed by many mortgage brokers, which could potentially cut the cost of the entire loan for the client. Detailing the entire cost of the loan and letting you know how they get paid for their services is the duty of any reputable broker. Filing the pockets of a broker is of little value to a mortgage advisor company when compared to making sure customers have a positive experience.
Finds The Most Advantageous Deal
A mortgage broker represents your interests, rather than those of a lending institution. They shouldn’t just play the role of your agent, but also those of problem solver and knowledgeable consultant. A broker has access to many different mortgage products and can therefore offer you great value in terms of relation interest rates, loan products and repayment amounts. You will be interviewed by the mortgage brokers to determine your needs and goals – both in the short and long term. Many situations demand more than the simple use of a 30-year or 15-year mortgage. Therefore, innovative mortgage strategies and sophisticated solutions are distinct advantages of working with an experienced mortgage broker. These include mortgage to raise capital for repaying debts, money for the children or essential home improvements, or even to enable the purchase of other properties such as buy to lets.
Has Flexibility Expertise to Meet Your Needs
A mortgage broker navigates the client through any situation, handling the process and smoothing any bumps in the road along the way. For instance, brokers would know the lenders that can make available the best products for clients with credit issues. If a borrower requires a large loan – considerably more than what the bank will approve – the knowledge and expertise of a broker in securing financing would be a distinct advantage.
Save Time & Hassle
Money isn’t the only consideration. Your time and sanity are just as important as saving some extra money. Think of the amount of time you’d spend researching multiple loan types from multiple lenders. Unlike working with different lenders – which would require you to complete different forms every time – you’d only need one form with a mortgage broker. Your mortgage broker can provide a formal comparison of any loans recommended, as well as advise on the information which accurately portrays cost differences, reflecting current rates, points, and closing costs for each loan. Your broker compares loans from major and less popular lenders to find you the best deal with the lowest rates and overall cost.
You don’t have to burden yourself with all the work, as outsourcing is a viable option to take in order to gain expert advice. Mortgage brokers do the legwork for you by supporting you throughout the application and pre-approval process. This includes completing all paperwork, answering questions, helping you apply for government schemes and shedding light on options and loan features you may not have considered or even known about. These features could include things such as drawdown facilities and options for making extra repayments and offset accounts. These types of features can make a significant difference to your mortgage cost and experience. Better still, if you’re not well versed with these concepts and how they could affect you, your broker can clarify answer questions you may have over the phone.
Access to exclusive non-advertised deals
There are exclusive deals not made public by the banks that brokers have access to. The deals are pushed by the banks on to the brokers, who are then charged with overseeing the sale of products. Speaking to a broker unlocks these extra perks you would otherwise miss out on by going directly to a bank.
Unlike brokers who have access to the whole market to search for the best deals, banks can offer their own deals alone – and not the deals offered by other banks.
Better chance of pre-approval success
If you’re knocked back after requesting an Agreement in principle/Decision in principle of a loan, this will leave a mark against your credit rating. Brokers are knowledgeable and have the much-needed experience to give you a better shot at approval the first time you apply.
Access to expert knowledge
Helping people secure loans is what mortgage brokers do for a living. Helpful information and exclusive deals you won’t find yourself are accessible to them. If you’re not on the lookout for them, you might not notice the subtleties that accompany loans. The difference to your mortgage could ultimately be made by these subtleties. Having the services of an experienced professional who can point these out for you is a huge benefit.
Instead of taking time out of your day to research thousands of loans and multiple lenders – and still potentially missing key subtleties – why not hand the work to someone who’s experienced in this industry? For home loan requirements, a mortgage broker is the best ways to go, just as a hairdresser is for replenishing damaged hair and a plumber for fixing leaking pipes.
Contact the Mortgage Saving Experts in Horsell. You can reach us by dialling 01273 738 072 today for a friendly chat.
About Mortgage Saving Experts
Mortgages and insurance might seem really complicated at first, but they’re not. For this reason, it’s necessary to find an honest and knowledgeable adviser, with ample experience. Our mortgage savings experts will ease the process for you and make it as simple as possible. After all, why make everything more stressful than it ought to be? Let us make everything easy for you and ensure you get the best possible deal.
Mortgage Saving Experts offer honest and transparent services to our customers, making them feel that mortgages and insurance are not as problematic as they first appear. All the mortgage and insurance applications we take care of at Mortgage Saving Experts are treated as if we own them. This is what we do. Mortgage Saving Experts are available whether you’re a first-time buyer, a landlord, moving on to a new phase or just re-mortgaging. Assisting you is the reason we’re here! In essence “Search 1000s of mortgage deals by taking 15 minutes to speak to 1 adviser.”
Our Team of Hertfordshire Mortgage Experts
Due to regulations by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), we must do all we can to get you the most suitable deal on the market. We must justify to you and our regulators why we recommend the mortgages we do, so you know exactly why you have the mortgage you have.
“Down to Earth Mortgage”
We are an honest team of mortgage insurance experts, who are enthusiastic, passionate and widely experienced.
Our mortgage and insurance experts are particularly good at listening to your current and future goals. To achieve these objectives, we will then work hand in hand with you.
Why chose Mortgage Saving Experts?
For the first few years after taking out a mortgage, you’ll be subject to an initial rate. The rate is raised to the lender’s variable rate after the initial rate ends. Before your monthly payment and rate are increased, our team will reach contact you to arrange a new deal roughly three months prior to the date of renewal. Some other reasons for which it’s beneficial to work with us include:
- You’ll save some money, as the deal you get is better than the bank variable rate.
- You won’t have to remember when the deal is due to end, as we will do this for you.
- While we deal with the stress on your behalf, you can sit back and ease your mind.
- We are good at what we do, so you’ll always be advised by professional mortgage experts.
- Comparing, advising and setting up the best possible mortgage deal from amongst the many available is what we do.
- Expert advice and support will be available to you through the entire mortgage process.
Our Approach to Mortgage Advice
We make available personalised services and put into consideration all your unique needs. The approach we take to mortgage advice involves three simple steps:
- Let’s have an Initial Chat, so we can get to know You and What Your Requirements Are
- We Search the Entire Market to Find the Best Deal for You
- We’ll Present you with the Cheapest and best Deals Available for Both Mortgages and Insurance Cover
How Mortgage Saving Expert Brokers Can Help you:
The things that make our services the best amongst mortgage brokers in Hertfordshire include:
- Learn about your situation and needs via fact-finding.
- Point out the costs that come with buying and selling.
- Ask for related documents to help with the application.
- Recommend and explain all about the prospective mortgage.
- Provide answers to your questions.
- An agreement in principle will be put in place.
- Get your whole mortgage application submitted.
- Work with your estate agent, solicitor and mortgage lender to answer any questions comprehensively.
Mortgage Types We Provide Expert Advice On
We dispense expert advice on a wide range of mortgage products. You won’t have any difficulty finding the right mortgage products to suit your needs when working with us. Mortgage types that we’re frequently asked to handle include:
First time buyers
First Time Buyers are classed by most mortgage lenders as people who have either:
- Never owned a property or
- People who have owned a property in the past, but not owned one for six months or more.
The rules and ideas on this are different across various lenders. Typically, there are no problems with being a First Time Buyer. To qualify for stamp duty relief as First Time Buyers, you must have never owned a property before, anywhere in the world.
Mortgage processes may look tough to negotiate, but they really don’t need to be. The purchase of your first home can be filled with excitement, so if you discover a well-respected broker to manage the process for a reasonable price, then use one. It is abundantly clear why you should use one. It stands to reason that you would contact a mechanic if your car became faulty – especially if you knew little or nothing about cars. The same applies to mortgages. You can cut down on cost, effort and time with mortgage brokers, so why not use one? There are no charges for the initial consultation.
Buying a home
If you’re considering a home purchase in the near future (or even within a few years, you should certainly brush up on your mortgage knowledge. Find out what to do before applying for a mortgage; during the application process; and how to use it accordingly after purchasing your home. If you’d prefer a different approach, then speak to an adviser who can guide you through it.
Your credit is vital.
A mortgage is not to be taken lightly. Since the subprime mortgage crisis in 2008, banks have trodden more carefully in terms of risking money up front. For mortgage eligibility, good credit helps, but isn’t vital. If your credit score is low or there are other circumstances that might complicate your mortgage application, we have the expertise to provide all the necessary guidance to help you qualify for the best mortgage deal for your dream home. We won’t just facilitate the purchase your dream home, we will also help you fund it with the lowest cost and most favourable mortgage deal on offer.
Re-mortgage your home
Simply put, all you’re doing with this is changing from one lender to another to get a better rate or cheaper deal. They don’t always sit well together. Let me make it clearer. If you have a small mortgage, you’ll probably find it’s not worthwhile paying an arrangement fee to the lender just to go on a lower rate. You may realise that it’s less expensive to go on a slightly higher rate than paying any lender an arrangement fee. Even with a lower rate, you could end up having a costlier deal in total, which is why it’s always prudent to talk to someone before you make any decisions.
Take extra caution. The potential absence of valuation or solicitors fees is one of the plus points of re-mortgaging, even though not everyone qualifies for this. The reason is that it is based on your disposition alone at the time of re-mortgaging. So, please ask your adviser about it.
Performing a re-mortgage in time is a practical way to reduce your mortgage costs significantly. While a re-mortgage deal can be beneficial for some, it’s not the best move for everyone, as it all depends on your unique circumstances.
- Depending on your unique needs, like…
- Mortgage debt isn’t so big.
- The financial disposition is now different.
- Costly early repayment charge.
- A reduction in home value.
- You are having trouble with credit.
- Already on a suitable current rate.
- We will advise you whether or not to pursue a re-mortgage.
Buy to Let
‘Buy to let’ properties are those you wish to purchase and then rent to tenants. You are not allowed to legally live in the property. You can purchase a buy to let property as a First Time Buyer, but you’ll be restricted to the number of available lenders, while extra checks will be made by the lender in such situations.
- When purchasing a buy to let property, there are a few things you’ll need to know.
- The amount of rental income you receive more or less affects how the loan amount you’re able to borrow.
- You’ll have to pay an extra 3% stamp duty on top of your normal stamp duty.
- If the value of the property isn’t valued at the amount for which stamp duty becomes liable, you are still required to pay the extra 3% of purchase cost.
TIP: Ask your solicitor/conveyancer to work out how much you’ll have to pay if you’re buying a second property. To help determine the most suitable mortgage to meet your needs, an expert mortgage adviser will know the specific questions to which you will need to provide answers. To see if you’re eligible, reach out now to our advisers.
How Much Do Mortgage Brokers Charge?
A percentage of your mortgage loan is paid as commission to many mortgage brokers by lenders. This is often about 0.33%, even though it largely varies, based on your mortgage needs. For example, a residential mortgage or buy to let and if you’ve had any credit issues recently. Most independent brokers charge a flat fee, which is typically around £500. Be sure to ask brokers how you can pay them. They should be honest and up front, telling you the amount owed and the fee structure they have in place.
For our fee structure, we charge clients £695; any commission we receive from mortgage lenders is subtracted from that figure If the commission paid to us falls short of £695, our client will then be asked to make up the difference between the commission we receive and the figure of £695. If for example, we are paid a commission of £495, we would ask you to pay a fee of £200, payable on production of your mortgage offer. Please note, we only take payments on a results-based arrangement.
How Much Can I Borrow?
This depends on several factors, such as the deposit value and how much you earn, how many children you have, as well as what debts (if any) you have in the background. How much a lender is willing to lend is based upon a full affordability assessment, whereby they will look to understand your income, as well as any loan or credit card commitments and regular essential household expenditure. In addition, they also perform a credit check to make sure your credit rating is suitable for mortgage purposes.
To be sure of how much you can borrow, obtain a decision in principle, prior to completing a full application. Make plans today for an appointment with one of our capable mortgage experts. We can provide an initial estimate, without the need for any credit checks to begin with.
The Latest Best Mortgage Rates
Whether you’re looking to re-mortgage, move home, find a first-time buyer mortgage or a buy-to-let, we can help. We compare recent mortgage deals in large quantities to help you find just what you want.
Request a free quote from Mortgage Saving Experts, your Hertfordshire Expert Mortgage Broker
What Our clients say About us
Our list of satisfied clients in Hertfordshire is lengthy and diversified. If you’re not yet persuaded that we are the experts who can get you the best mortgage deal in Hertfordshire at the cheapest cost, see what some of our customers have got to say about working with us. For a first-hand experience of just how amazing our services are, give us a call today.
Latest Mortgage News
Having more information at your disposal when looking for the most ideal mortgage deal places you in a more advantageous position. Below can be found recent news on mortgages to provide the insight you need to get started.
Mortgage Regulatory Information
In the UK, most mortgages are provided by building societies, specialised mortgage lenders and banks. There is a total of 200 different financial institutions which offer mortgages in Britain, although Lloyds Banking Group and Nationwide Building Society owns the market’s largest share.
Although banks and building societies have always been closely regulated in the UK, the former Financial Services Authority (now the FCA) implemented a regulatory scheme specifically for mortgages as a result of the Financial Services Act of 2000.
The professional conduct of mortgage providers is regulated by the FCA. There are strict rules regarding the use of unfair, misleading adverts and promotions, as well as checks to make sure the terms of any contract for financial services are fair for the consumer. Regulations were formerly presented in the rules for Mortgage Conduct of Business (MCOB), although they were changed due to the FCA Mortgage Conduct of Business (MMR) of 2014.
With regards their financial conduct, deposit-taking firms in the UK come under the jurisdiction of FCA’s sister organisation, the Prudential Regulation Authority.
They ensure firms have a sizeable enough capital to balance out their lending risks. The first step in tackling any issue you have with regards your mortgage provider is to take it up with them. You utilise a complaint procedure via the FCA if you don’t think it has been suitably dealt with. In turn, this can be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service if deemed necessary. Some mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority such as moist Buy to Let mortgages and if you make a complaint about these you are unable to take these to the Financial Ombudsman Service Connect with the Mortgage Saving Experts in Hertfordshire. You can reach them by dialling 01273 738 072 today for a friendly chat.
What to Ask Your Hertfordshire Mortgage Broker?
What happens if you don’t respond to my messages within that timeframe?
How quickly will you respond to my messages?
How much hand-holding is involved during the buying process?
Why should I choose you rather than another broker?
- “Why exactly are you the best?”
- “In what way do you deliver great service?”
What sort of clients do you specialise in?
What will the true cost of my home loan be?
How much can I borrow?
How many loans have you written during that time?
How much experience do you have?
Get in contact with the Mortgage Saving Experts in Horsell. You can reach them by dialling 01273 738 072 today for a friendly chat.
Other Areas We Cover
- Mortgage Brokers in Wootton-St-Lawrence, Hampshire
- Mortgage Brokers in Worlds-End, Hampshire
- Mortgage Brokers in Wyck, Hampshire
- Mortgage Brokers in Wymering, Hampshire
- Mortgage Brokers in Yateley, Hampshire
- Mortgage Brokers in Abbots-Langley, Hertfordshire
- Mortgage Brokers in Adeyfield, Hertfordshire
- Mortgage Brokers in Albury-End, Hertfordshire
- Mortgage Brokers in Albury, Hertfordshire
- Mortgage Brokers in Aldbury, Hertfordshire
