Find own mortgage product or use Independent Financial Mortgage Advisor?

[Blossom4538]

Hi all,

We are hoping to move and have been looking at mortgage products - do you think you can find on your own online these days (any tips?!) or is it worth seeing a Broker?

Experiences or opinions much appreciated! Thank u x

I've always gone online. Money supermarket, etc. Always ended up with my bank because they have been competitive (to within decimal points of the 'best' interest rates) and can manage online in the same place as my other accounts.

I'm a bog std mortgage for an employee though - no funky incomes from company / investment / BTL or anything to consider.

I tried out a broker when we last moved. I wasn't impressed. The rate they suggested was higher than one my sister mentioned with Barclays. They also said I could use any solicitor and they were wrong as the solicitor I wanted to use had already told me they couldn't act if Santander was the lender.

I am about to remortgage and I am just going to look online this time.

I am an employee.

We didn’t have a great experience in the past, with a broker. We are with Barclays but finding Nationwide good online x

I would use a broker but it does depend on the broker! My last one (exH) tied me in with a mortgage deal that had (in my view) an excessive early repayment policy.

The one I've used now, whilst expensive (he charges £500 flat fee) more than earned his money when my OH bought his house and Virgin money wouldn't let him withdraw his money as losing his house wasn't a 'financial hardship'. Broker wrote an (admittedly brilliant ) email saying he's discussed the matter with colleagues on the financial desks of national newspapers and VM paid up within an hour.

Hopefully my own mortgage is a little more easy to resolve (although the first one fell through due to dodgy survey) but he's still worth every penny.

It depends on whether you have the time and knowledge to sort it out when/if everything goes tits up during the buying process. I would never use one connected to an agent/bank and would only use one recommended by friends in similar situation to me.