As could probably be predicted from us, we firmly believe that there are some great reasons for customers to use a mortgage broker in Hull.
As a fair counter argument though, whether it’s via a branch or online, it is still completely viable to go direct to the lender yourself. Luckily we find that most people prefer to make use of a mortgage broker.
Here we will take a look at the pros & cons to both sides.
Pros & Cons of Going Direct
When talking about the option of going directly to a bank or building society, the first thing that immediately springs to mind is that you’ll be free from any broker fees. This of course will save you money.
Whilst that may be a point for, an immediate point against comes to mind too. In previous years, you may have thought “the bank manager will know my finances inside and out”, though when credit scoring was introduced, this no longer became a factor in the process.
One reason why going direct could be preferable, is that some lenders offer exclusive mortgage products that are only available by going direct. This is done so to attract a good spread of business from consumers and brokers alike, switching these exclusive products as they see fit.
On the contrary to this, some products may only be available by going with a mortgage broker. In this case, you’re not only able to see potential exclusive deals from your bank, but other lenders as well. A bank can only offer their own products!
Mortgage Market Changes in 2014
In 2014, the market changed and lenders were no longer allowed to sell mortgages on a non-advised basis to anyone who walked through their door.
Previously, it had been believed that non-advisors were trying to push actual advice on customers. This means they weren’t able to benefit from some of the consumer protection that comes with speaking to a professional mortgage advisor.
The changes meant lenders had to adjust. Heading towards the end of 2014, it was commonplace to be kept waiting over a month just to speak with an advisor. Sometimes today this situation still occurs, which is of course less than ideal when you have had an offer accepted and are ready to go!
Because of the issues that were occuring with these services, applications being made via mortgage brokers went on the rise. This is because many brokers out there, like ourselves, are able to offer customers a more flexible service, at times that best suit them.
When you book your free mortgage appointment with us online, you’ll be able to choose a timeslot that best suits your personal and work life. Oftentimes, your appointment can be booked in for the same day. There is no waiting around for somebody to get back in touch!
Affordability is definitely something that factors into people’s decisions to use a mortgage broker. No matter how good a lender’s deal might seem, you won’t get very far if they won’t lend you enough money!
Buying a house is so important to people, that many customers will opt to go with a trusted and dedicated mortgage broker for professional and personalised mortgage advice in Hull.
Handling More Complex Cases
Nowadays we find that a lot of mortgage applications aren’t as simple as they once were. For one reason or another, there are a lot of contributing factors that can make the mortgage process a lot more challenging now.
Some examples of these are, but are not limited to:
- Poor Credit History.
- Self-Employed Income.
- Mixed Source of Deposit (Savings/Gift).
- Let-to-Buy (Renting Out Your Property to Buy Another).
- Contract Workers/Zero Hour Contracts.
- Affordability.
In the past, it was a lot easier for lenders to stand out from the competition by simply offering a deal that was similar to, but better than another mortgage lender on the market. In modern times this is very different, with lending criteria being the big difference between one option and another.
An example of this is the differences in leniency towards those who are looking to obtain a self employed mortgage in Hull. Some lenders are willing to be a bit more sympathetic towards previous discrepancies on your credit report. Others, not so much.
A Tailored Process
Your situation is unique to you, it is very unlikely that someone will have the exact same circumstances as you. You could be looking for first time buyer mortgage advice in Hull, ready to take the first step towards being a homeowner.
You might be in a tight spot and need some remortgage advice in Hull, ahead of consolidating some debts (something that definitely requires an expert opinion). When you explain your position to an experienced mortgage broker, they may have dealt with something that is at least similar in the past.
This allows them to personalise your mortgage advice service and guide you along each step. With a little luck and a lot of hard work, your mortgage advisor in Hull will hopefully be able to recommend the most suitable mortgage, at the lowest rate available to you.
Beyond that though, it’s about more than just getting a mortgage. Even if the application itself is pretty simple to run through, our clients rely on our expertise and industry experience for so much more.
We are able to run through how much the applicant is willing to offer on their potential new home. Our trusted team of mortgage advisors in Hull are able recommend other professional services such as solicitors and property surveys.
Responsive Service
Another reason why using a mortgage broker in Hull could be preferable, is that we tend to be far more responsive than the lenders might be.
Our hard working team quite regularly work late into the evening, outside of normal hours, giving maximum effort on customer cases to ensure the service is prompt but also effective.
Something that is often overlooked when looking at why customers may prefer a broker, is that people’s day-to-day lives are so much busier. A mortgage might be important, but you may have no free time! A mortgage advisor in Hull will take the weight off your shoulders.
Professional applicants especially see the benefits of using a mortgage broker, as they have clients of their own that they charge out their services to and they appreciate having an expert to do the work for them whilst they keep busy.
Mayhap in the future we will see lenders wanting to take business back from the brokers. In the event of this, we may see a more technological approach from them. The world seems to be more focused on that these days.
That’s great news for customers who are fine with speaking to bots or using automated systems. Even more so when the case is straightforward.
For most of us though, there’s an element of “realness” when speaking to a real person. We are getting that “human touch” that only speak to a mortgage advisor in Hull can provide for you.
Book your free mortgage appointment online now using the “Get Started” button. Time slots are available every day, from early until late, at a time that best suits you (subject to availability).
Date Last Edited: 11/13/2024
