A mortgage broker is a professional who specialises in searching the market for a mortgage that best suits you.

60% of mortgages are now secured through the use of a broker who can take a lot of stress out of the application process and use their connections to secure exclusive deals.

However, they do add an additional fee onto an already expensive process and many people feel that they can manage the process on their own.

If you are unsure whether or not to utilise the services of a broker when looking for your next home read on as we answer some common questions you need to consider.

Can I go straight to a lender?

Yes, if you have found a deal with a bank or other mortgage provider which you think is perfect then it is possible to apply directly to them on your own without using a broker.

However, applying for a mortgage without advice simply to cut out the middleman, or because you already use a certain bank and want to keep your finances in one place, could cost you thousands.

No matter how strong you think your relationship is with your bank there is no guarantee that they will offer you the best deal on the market, or even the best deal they have available, simply because you are a long-term customer.

In fact, many lenders reserve their best deals for customers who use mortgage brokers and taking advantage of a broker’s years of experience and contacts in the industry can help you find the policy which will save you the most money throughout its term.

Can I trust mortgage brokers?

You may have heard tales that mortgage brokers are more interested in securing a deal that gains them the most commission than one that benefits their customers the most.

It is true that some brokers have connections to one mortgage lender or a group of lenders and will attempt to steer you towards a mortgage with them as they will be financially rewarded for doing so. Many ‘in-house’ brokers are even unable to offer you the best interest rates available as they are limited by the mortgage options that their employers provide.

Using a trustworthy broker will save you money over the course of your mortgage application, but always remember to check the reviews and affiliations of brokers and ensure they offer whole-of-market services.

If you are unsure if you can trust a mortgage lender then you should start by ensuring they are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).  If a broker is registered to the FCA then they are committing to strict criteria and must act in the best financial interest of their customers.

By using an unregulated broker, you are putting yourself at significant risk as you will not have grounds to redress if the advice that you were given proves to be unsuitable. If you received poor guidance from an FCA approved broker, then you may be eligible for compensation if you feel you did not receive an acceptable service.

CSR Financial Services are an FCA regulated independent whole-of-market mortgage broker, who have no deals or limiting contracts with specific lenders, and by trusting us to manage your mortgage needs you can be assured we will be solely focussed on securing the best deal for you.

Will going direct to lender save me time?

If you are looking to secure a mortgage as quickly as possible dealing directly with the mortgage provider may seem like the best approach.

However, if you do not have a broker to make sure that all your documents are in order and assess your financial status before making an application then you may end up wasting a lot of time.

By assessing your income, expenditure, and future financial commitments, brokers will be able to narrow down your search and discard mortgage options that they know you will be unlikely to be approved for.

Lenders have complicated underwriting and loan terms which you must meet and if there are problems with your application or you are not deemed suitable then you will likely be declined instantly. This means you will have wasted a huge amount of time and energy on a task which a broker could have instantly told you was not worth pursuing.

If you have found your dream property and are in a rush to get a mortgage, your best option is to talk to a mortgage advisor glasgow and explain the situation. They will be able to conduct their search in an efficient manner and make sure you do not miss out simply because you spent too much time applying for the wrong mortgage deal.