FAQS

Have a question?

Find answers to some of the questions asked most frequently by our clients

  • Why use a broker?

    The main advantage of using a broker as opposed to your own bank is the access to a wider choice of lenders, independent advisers can access the whole of the market whereas banks will only offer their own products which may not necessarily be the most suitable for you.

  • Do I have to pay for an initial consultation?

    No, we provide a free initial appointment where we can discuss your financial needs and determine whether our services are right for you.

  • Will the adviser come to my home or will I have to visit an office?

    We are happy and able to come to your home to discuss your needs, we also have an office you can visit or alternatively we can set up an online meeting.

  • Do you charge a fee?

    Our fees are transparent and disclosed at all stages of the advice process. We only charge a fee when you have decided to use our services and we are actively applying for a product for you.

    A fee of up to £995 is payable on completion for our services in relation to Equity release/Lifetime Mortgage contracts. The exact amount will depend on the complexity and work involved and will be confirmed with you in our accompanying fee agreement at our initial consultation.

  • The estate agents have told me I have to speak to their adviser, is this true?

    A lot of estate agents will prefer you to use their “in house broker” as they will be able to earn a commission for this service. They cannot enforce this unless they have a written agreement from the vendor of the property, they are advertising so make sure you ask to see this agreement if they insist on you seeing their broker.

  • I have been told that I need an AIP (Agreement in principle) or DIP (Decision in principle) before I can submit an offer on a property, is this true?

    Most estate agents will want to see an AIP/DIP before accepting an offer to safeguard their sale and their vendors interests. We always say that it is best practice to get yourself in the best possible buying position before you start house hunting to avoid disappointment later down the line. Our offer packs are perfect for this as they include everything you would need to provide an estate agent to get your offer agreed – Contact us to book an appointment for our Trusted home finder service.

  • If I have credit issues on my credit file, can I get a mortgage?

    We are able to offer access to 4 credit referencing agencies free for the first 30 days* so that you can understand what your file looks like and we can use this to speak to our lenders to see who would be willing to lend to you, book an appointment to receive your link for this.

    * If you want to subscribe, it could cost £14.99pm thereafter. We will receive a small fee or commission from CheckMyFile for any referrals.

  • Do I have to have protection with my mortgage?

    There are many risks associated with mortgage borrowing and these could be largely mitigated with having the right protection solution in place. We will look at what is right for you and your circumstances as part of our mortgage advice process.

  • Do you provide Equity release advice?

    We are fully regulated to provide Equity Release advice. We are fully qualified in this area and on hand to answer any of your questions now so please contact us to discuss your needs and ideas.

  • What is the impact to my family with equity release?

    Taking out an equity release plan could leave your family with little or nothing to inherit from your property. You need to be comfortable with this potential outcome and may wish to discuss it with them before committing to an application. You may also want to consider including your family in any discussions you have with your equity release adviser or your solicitor. We understand that this is a big commitment and encourage you to include them in our meetings.