6 months working for a Mortgage Broker – here’s everything I’ve learnt.
Having been made redundant following Mat leave from a Cybersecurity Recruitment Company, the last place I thought I’d end up was working for a local Mortgage Broker. But here we are – 8 months later, immersing myself into the world of Keevelia Mortgage Solutions. Mortgages, finance and property, learning from my mentor and director, Siobhan. Here is what I’ve learned on the outset.
1. Preparation is key – my role as an Admin/ P.A means that I am usually the one dealing with the client’s documentation – however a lot of what I see is that following client’s initial appointment, although they are willing and motivated to get the journey started, they just don’t have their documents in order. This could be making sure they could access their payslips, their P60’s, if self employed it means making sure that their accounts are in order and ready. Without this, the process can be delayed months. Imagine finding your dream home but you now have to get your paperwork to your accountant and so on and so on. My advice would be to get prepped and organised as much as possible prior to getting the process started.
2. Having a good broker really is worth its weight in gold –there is a good reason to pay them for their service. I’ve already seen clients come back around after choosing to try to go it alone with their mortgage journey because they didn’t want to pay for the service. The truth is brokers really do know what they are doing, they can tell just from a short conversation, your likelihood of getting a mortgage and your affordability for what you have in mind. They can also access hundreds of products and will always put you first.
3. There really is no ‘perfect time’. I have seen a lot of clients booking several ‘initial’ appointments with Siobhan. Often months apart. Often asking the same questions. Siobhan gives them no reason to worry, but they are hesitant, waiting for the perfect moment. When the market will be in their favour, when interest rates will lower, when their credit score is perfect. What I have observed is that those clients that take the leap and start the ball rolling, are the ones who are now reaping the rewards. This process can take a long time (months, sometimes up to a year!) and time will pass by anyway - so the perfect time is now! Get started, get prepared, get your mortgage application in – and let the broker and the solicitor do the hard work in the background.
Having not worked in the industry for very long, I’m sure Siobhan won’t mind me NOT giving you mortgage advice. However I will offer this – book the appointment and get started. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If you dream of the stability of owning your own home, or want to get started on your property portfolio – just take that first step. Book here