Getting Started With a Mortgage Broker
See how an expert broker can help secure a mortgage approval and find the best deals right for you
How will you be using the property?
Why use us?
At OnlineMortgageAdvisor we know that everyone's circumstances are different. That's why we only work with expert brokers who have a proven track record in securing mortgage approvals
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Higher chance of approval -
No impact on credit score
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Mortgage Approval Guarantee - or £100 back*
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We don't charge a fee
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There for you every step of the way
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Rated excellent on Trustpilot, Feefo and Google
If you have any questions,
feel free to call us on 0808 189 2301
In this guide, you’ll learn how to find the right mortgage broker and how to prepare for your appointment, including which documents you’ll need and what questions you’ll be asked.
How to get started with a mortgage broker
You don’t want to choose a mortgage broker at random. Ideally, you’ll need to find one who specialises in customers with your exact needs and circumstances.
Mortgage brokers tend to have a specific area of expertise. Some, for instance, specialise in customers with bad credit, while others are buy-to-let mortgage gurus. There are also brokers who specialise in first-time buyers, older borrowers, self-employed people… the list is endless.
But the take-home point is that you need a broker whose knowledge and expertise is an exact match for your needs and circumstances, and that’s something we can help you with.
Did you know… An Online Mortgage Advisor broker has access to more deals than any comparison site.
Get Started with a Broker
Maximise your chance of approval with tailored help from a specialist
Finding the right mortgage advisor
This part is refreshingly simple – use our free broker-matching service to be paired with a mortgage advisor based on your needs and circumstances. This will be somebody we’ve personally vetted, trained and handpicked for you because of their track record helping customers in identical circumstances to yours, or at least very similar.
We only work with mortgage brokers who…
- Are whole-of-market
- Are experts in their field
- Have all of the necessary qualifications and accreditations
- Have completed a 12-module LIBF-accredited training course
- Have deep relationships with mortgage lenders across the market
- Agree to our fair-fee policy
Make an enquiry and we’ll set up a free chat between you and your ideal mortgage broker today. There’s no obligation to take things further and your credit report won’t be affected.
We're so confident in our service, we guarantee it.
We know it's important for you to have complete confidence in our service, and trust that you're getting the best chance of mortgage approval at the best available rate. We guarantee to get your mortgage approved where others can't - or we'll give you £100*
What questions your mortgage advisor will ask you
Your mortgage broker will carry out a quick fact-find to establish your needs, circumstances and mortgage aspirations. Expect them to ask you questions including…
- Have you had a mortgage in the past?
- What is your budget?
- What is your income and how long have you been at your current job?
- How much deposit do you have and what is its source?
- What type of property do you want to buy and where is it located?
- What outgoings do you have?
- Do you have bad credit?
- Do you have any dependents?
How long your interview takes will depend on the complexity of the case, but the brokers we work with fully understand that people lead busy lives and may have time constraints. They can be flexible and accommodating, and will fit your consultation around your schedule.
Did you know… An Online Mortgage Advisor broker has access to more deals than any comparison site.
Superb response and knowledgeable advisor
Steve, the financial advisor, contacted me within the hour and was very friendly, knowledgeable and professional. He seemed to relish my non standard requirement, diligently kept me updated during the day and we struck up a great relationship. Very impressed.
Peter Costello
Great Service
Everything has been smooth, contact has been nice and fast all of my questions have been answered fully
Martin
Very quick response
Very quick response from Pete. Very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend. Thanks again Pete
Lindsey
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars across Trustpilot, Feefo and Google
What you’ll need to take to your appointment
Your mortgage broker will need you to bring documents to your appointment to verify your identity, address and income. Below we’ve gone into detail about the paperwork you need.
Most people provide a valid passport, birth certificate or driver’s license (full or provisional) to prove their identity to a mortgage broker, but other forms of photo ID will suffice, including…
- Valid Shotgun Licence or Firearms Certificate issued by your local police force
- Valid EU or EEA Member State Identity Card (Swiss Member Card also accepted)
- Identity Card issued by the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland
- Valid Blue Disabled Driver’s Pass issued by a UK Local Authority (Council)
Get Started with a Broker
Maximise your chance of approval with tailored help from a specialist
Do mortgage brokers run credit checks?
Yes, there’s a high probability that your mortgage advisor will run a mortgage credit check to determine whether you can afford the mortgage you want to apply for; but they will only do this with your permission and will be completely transparent about the process involved.
If you wish, you can run a quick credit check on yourself before you get started with your broker. You can do this for free by heading to our credit reports hub.
What to expect from your broker’s credit check
These checks often include questions regarding your…
- Level of income
- Source of income
- Debt
- Number of dependants
- Age
A broker knows that another key factor that mortgage lenders will look at is your credit history. There are multiple credit reference agencies (CRAs) that lenders may use to establish your score and check your financial history but, frustratingly, they can all give varying scores.
If your credit reports show a history of mismanaging money and accumulating debt, this can seriously impact your choice of lenders and your ability to obtain a mortgage.
Running a credit check before applying for a mortgage can flag up any issues and help you and your broker prepare. It may be the case that you can make improvements before applying to increase the likelihood of mortgage approval and landing the best possible deal.
Get matched with the right mortgage broker today
If you’re ready to get started with your ideal mortgage broker, the quickest and simplest way to do that is to use our free broker-matching service.
Our service will carry out a swift assessment of your needs and circumstances to pair you with the mortgage broker who’s best placed to help you secure a great mortgage deal. This will be an advisor we’ve personally vetted, trained and handpicked specifically for you.
Call 0808 189 2301 or make an enquiry to get started with your ideal mortgage broker today.
Ask us a question
We know everyone's circumstances are different, that's why we work with mortgage brokers who are experts in all different mortgage subjects.
Ask us a question and we'll get the best expert to help.
Get in touch today
Make an enquiry and we'll arrange for an experienced mortgage broker we work with to contact you straight away.
FAQs
We ensure that the mortgage advisors we work hold an industry-standard qualification recognised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This would be either…
- Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP) – this is the industry benchmark qualification for authorised mortgage brokers and advisors
- Chartered Insurance Institute Certificate in Mortgage Advice (Cert MA) – this qualification also meets the FCA’s expectations for mortgage advisors
We always check whether the brokers we work with hold these qualifications, but if you want to double check the credentials of an advisor we’ve referred you to, you can look them up in the FCA register by searching for their name or the name of the brokerage.
Your broker will know that affordability and income will be heavily focussed on by all lenders, so to build a clearer picture of your financial situation, they will need to see your payslips.
Having this information presented accurately for a lender can be a good idea so see this stage as preparation. Delays can cost time which could lead to you missing out on a current rate or deal, so always have proof of your income ready in advance.
They need to see them because your bank statements will show your broker a true representation of your spending habits, income and outgoings.
This information can help your broker understand how much you could realistically afford to borrow. A mortgage broker has a responsibility to ensure that the mortgage deals they recommend are affordable for you and best suit your circumstances.
Moreover, your mortgage advisor will check that your deposit funds are available and will want to verify the source of your deposit. Some deposit sources might limit your mortgage options.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). All mortgage brokers working in the UK must be either FCA regulated or an agent of a regulated firm. FCA regulation means that you, the customer, are protected against bad advice and mis-selling, among other things.
About the author
Pete, an expert in all things mortgages, cut his teeth right in the middle of the credit crunch. With plenty of people needing help and few mortgage providers lending, Pete found great success in going the extra mile to find mortgages for people whom many others considered lost causes. The experience he gained, coupled with his love of helping people reach their goals, led him to establish Online Mortgage Advisor, with one clear vision – to help as many customers as possible get the right advice, regardless of need or background.
Pete’s presence in the industry as the ‘go-to’ for specialist finance continues to grow, and he is regularly cited in and writes for both local and national press, as well as trade publications, with a regular column in Mortgage Introducer and being the exclusive mortgage expert for LOVEMoney. Pete also writes for Online Mortgage Advisor of course!
Pete Mugleston
Mortgage Advisor, MD