Do you always use a mortgage broker?

[CrapBag]

Currently selling our house and going to be buying as well. Our current mortgage provider has told us what we can borrow and what rates are but I have looked on money supermarket and have seen better interest rates although I can't guarantee they would accept us, although I don't think it would be a problem. I spoke to or adviser on the phone and he said stay with our current provider (nationwide) as they aren't the worse ones out there.

Would you shop around yourself (and if so where?), stick with your current provider or go to a broker? What have you done in the past?

We use an IFA - no charge to us, but he gets a fee from the mortgage provider (but I am SE, so perhaps fall into the more complicated category.) 5 years at 3.19/£99 set up sounds like a good deal - check what they are charging for the survey too.

Yes, we have always used London and Country as they are free and do whole of the market. Plus when I had a toddler they rang at a time convenient to me.

Dh is now self employed so not every mortgage deal advertised is available to us, hence the need for them. But we have used them when he was employed and now he is self employed.

London and Country are recommended by MoneySavingExpert, they are not a paid sponsor but are just a decent company that Martin recommends.

no but really survey fees aren't bad. Basic is £245 (or something like that) and full is about £385ish.

Not sure whether to go with full survey or not really.

My experience is that if your requirements are pretty standard and you have a good LTV then you are better off going it alone. Brokers can be helpful if you are looking for something a bit more specialised or if you've had any credit problems. I have never paid an IFA directly, they have always been paid via commission (although they have to disclose this). I agree with others that First Direct have the best deals if you are looking for a standard product.

Broker was amazing, worth every penny, she really earned it.

London & Country