L and C mortgage broker- opinions?

[optimisticpessimist01]

DP and I are first time buyers hoping to start the buying process in the next couple of months. I've seen a lot of mixed reviews about L&C, some really positive and others saying they're hard to contact because of how busy they are. We are tempted by them because they are a reputable company with no fees

Would people recommend L&C, go for a broker more local or just do the research and approach the bank yourselves?

I would go for a local broker, especially if you are first time buyers as you'll likely want someone to talk to when you have questions. Don't be afraid of brokers who charge a small fee either, you may find they save you money in the long run..

We got an AIP through L&C and then once our offer was accepted I contacted them to try and do the mortgage application process. I initially got an out of office email from whoever it had been assigned to behind the scenes so I called to see if it could be dealt with by someone else given that we hadn't started the process yet. I was told the original guy wasnt out of the office (it was just left on in error) and he would call me asap. He called a day later to say he would look at it and call me within 48 hours to discuss options as he was very busy.

Anyway, that was at the beginning of November and I'm still waiting for that call back. In the meantime we used Habito instead and from filling in the very first bits of info on their website to getting a mortgage offer through from Barcalys took 6 days. They were super easy to use and you can always contact them on their online chat. I can't recommend Habito highly enough. Or Barclays for that matter, we were expecting the mortgage application to take weeks but Habito sent the info to them on a monday lunchtime and we had the offer through on the Wednesday morning. We were astonished!

I used them last year, they got me a great deal, were super efficient, great with updates and you get a named person with a direct number/email (although the process only took 48 hours) I also used their legal service (who were not so efficient but you don't have to use them). Due to various circumstances I would have struggled to get any mortgage with a high street bank let alone a good one.

I don't have any experience with local brokers but as it is likely that everything would be remote communication atm does it make any difference if they are 20 miles away or 200?

L and C were able to help me find a mortgage when I was just about to give up as other (fee paying) brokers were telling me my complicated buying situation was impossible.

I used them for a first time purchase in 2011 and then on moving in 2018. Nothing but good things to say about them. I had some complicated leasehold issues with my most recent purchase and they were very knowledgeable and helpful.

Oh, just to add, I ended up using the solicitors they recommended and they were absolutely hopeless, but L&C themselves were great

We had a good experience as first time buyers a couple of years ago and are currently remortgaging through them.

We've used then several times and we were very happy with the service and mortgage.
We did get a couple of quotes from fee charging mortgage brokers to see if it was worth paying to get a better deal, you can do this free of charge. The deals were no better.

We’ve used, they were great

We used them as FTB last year - they were absolutely brilliant. So attentive and helpful. Had heard of them on Mumsnet and they definitely lived up to their reputation. I was particularly emotional because I was convinced I couldn’t get a mortgage, but they really held my hand through the process and got us a great deal.

We have used them for about 15 years, cannot fault them. That includes getting a mortgage when self employed.

They are still recommended by MoneySavingExpert I believe and for all the people complaining there are probably thousands who have a very positive experience but just don't comment on it.

If you do go local make sure it is the whole of the market that they cover. Personally now with covid and lockdown surely online is better and a reputable company with many staff.

I would thoroughly recommend them. Been using them for years and gave mortgaged and remortgaged with them several times throughout this time. Why pay someone fee when they will provide a top class service for free? They even sort out life insurance if you want too 😉

I've used them, they were great. I told them the details and they found the mortgage.

I had spotted a deal that I thought was good, which I have them as an indicator of what I wanted. They managed to find me and even lower rate. I'd use them again next time I re-mortgage without hesitation.

I've never used a local broker, so I cant compare, but L&C were free as they got their fee from the lender and I was very happy with what they found for me

Awful experience. The broker Keir to a script. And it was frustrating. I think possibly it was because I was applying as a single parent - he made me feel unusual!
Eventually I went direct to nationwide. Such a different experience - like she cared!

I imagine if you’re a straightforward customer, no additional needs then they’ll be fine.

‘Kept to a script’

We've used several times and have been great. We didn't use last time as found our own deal which we could access but we have usually researched all options so don't need a great deal of advice, not sure what it would be like for a FTB as we didn't use them back then.

Don't touch them with a bargepole at the moment. Seriously.

We used them a few years ago and had an excellent experience; so I would've highly recommended them had we not attempted to use them again during Covid. It was appalling.
No call backs, no communication, service so slow that our first mortgage fell through due to inaction on L&C's part, incontactable advisors...I could go on and on. It eventually took us four advisors and almost five months to get a mortgage offer through despite our case being very simple and me having all the paperwork ready exactly when they asked for it. At one point, about five weeks in, I nearly dropped them and just did it myself, but they talked me out of it. I really should've done.

I'm not sure what's gone so wrong with them. But a quick look on their twitter profile shows I'm not alone. There's people saying on there that their mortgage offer took 10 months...!!?

I have used L&C to mortgage and remortgage and had no complaints.
However for my most recent purchase, they couldn't have been less interested. Did not ever return phone calls or emails.
So I found a local broker through a recommendation. Paid a small fee. Got an excellent deal and someone that answers their phone and emails.

I’ve used them for years - most recently in July 19, and they’ve always been excellent.

They have given advice as to which lenders have a backlog to avoid applying for products which would delay a purchase or remortgage, and intervened when an underwriter asked for loads of extra paperwork at the last minute before a remortgage.

Do they get you better rates than if you just hunt around on comparison sites? In a straightforward remortgage case?

Using them for about 15 years too including 2020 remortgage. They have always been Greta but they are clearly really really busy at the moment so did have to chase quite hard. Still got a great deal though and didn’t hold our process up at all. Good luck.

Great! 😂

I also used them as a FTM and found them very good. If you decide to go with them, you still have the option to switch to a local broker if you feel you aren't getting the service you need.

Like others, I have used them in the past, and found them very good and proactive. I only used them for re-mortgages.
DS is looking at buying and will probably use them.