How mortgage brokers help
Going direct to your bank is the most common — and most expensive — mistake buyers make. A whole-of-market broker sees thousands of products a high-street lender will never show you, and they know which lenders will actually say yes to your circumstances.
What a broker does
Assesses your income, deposit, outgoings, credit profile and plans, then matches you to lenders whose criteria you fit.
Handles the application end-to-end: paperwork, lender queries, valuation booking and progress chasing until offer.
Advises on protection (life cover, income protection, buildings insurance) so you are not underinsured on your biggest asset.
When a broker is worth the fee
You are self-employed, a contractor, on bonuses or commission, or have income from multiple sources.
Your deposit is below 15% or your credit history is thin or bruised.
You are buying a new-build, a flat above commercial premises, a listed building, or anything a high-street lender treats as 'non-standard'.
You want to compare fixed vs tracker vs offset without spending your evenings on comparison sites.
What to bring to your first meeting
Last three months of payslips (or two years of SA302s and tax overviews if self-employed).
Last three months of bank statements — personal and business.
Photo ID and proof of address.
A rough sense of the property price, deposit source, and desired completion timeline.
Fees to expect
Some brokers are fee-free and paid entirely by lender commission. Others charge £300-£995. Both models are legitimate — ask upfront and compare the total cost including product fees.
A fee-charging broker should always disclose commission received from the lender they recommend.
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