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Funnily enough I never used to use a broker. Did it all myself for years. Then I applied for a mortgage with Tesco bank (when it existed). What a fucking ball ache that was. Took 6 months to get an offer and several complaints. Basically they didn't believe our outgoings and kept asking me how much I spent on haircuts and food. I seriously lost my shit with them in the end.
I also got 500 quid of compensation off then afterwards. Personally I'd never apply for a mortgage without using a broker now. It all just goes so much smoother when you use one and they know where to place the business dependant on the case, i.e above commercial/self employed/ whether it'll meet a new build definition and you need an increased deposit etc
princeperch-
Yeah I totally agree - going direct has been and still is a complete ball ache, if you are applying with a new lender. I've always found my existing - Halifax - to be really easy to deal with. We took a load of equity out of our main residence to pay off the mortgage on my other flat. They gave zero fucks, didn't even want to see the details of the charge taken off the LR record. Could have spent it on crack and hookers for all they cared. This was post 2008.
Howard
Broker is unlikely to suggest the existing lender who will probably give you the least hassle - should you qualify. They can tell you if you do with a quick phone call.
But yeah it’s good to shop around, but I’d have thought that was a given.