The Mortgage Store

Pretty much everything. Firstly, there’s an initial free consultation, where I look to establish what you’re looking for and how I can best help. That way any advice or recommendation is personalised and relevant to you individually.

Then I use my extensive knowledge of the industry to match both your current circumstances and any future requirements to an appropriate lender. Each lender has its own unique set of criteria, so I match you with the most appropriate ones from the hundreds of lenders out there.

I’ll search the market for the most cost effective mortgage that you’re eligible for, to save as much money as possible. I act as the customer champion and present your case as favourably as possible to the lender. I also chase them for updates so you don’t spend hours on the phone with that awful hold music!

To sum it up, a mortgage broker takes the stress out of the process, using their expertise to save you time and money.

Firstly, and most importantly, a bank will do their best to give you the most suitable deal they can, but a lot of customers don’t realise that banks can only offer their own products. They’re not ‘whole of market’.

So what they offer is not necessarily the most suitable deal on the market. It often won’t be the best option. Meanwhile a mortgage broker like me will look at all options, including the banks, to get you the most cost-effective and relevant deal available.

A local bank is also tied by their own criteria. If you do overtime, you have a second job or you get benefits, you do bank work with the NHS… anything like that can put you outside of the norm for a bank. They have a prescribed set of rules that they won’t deviate from.

But I can search the whole market to find a lender who will accept your circumstances and avoid potential rejection. I actually started my career working for a major high street bank, and it was so frustrating having to say no to clients that I knew we should be looking to help.

There’s quite a lot! For home movers and First Time Buyers I will guide you throughout the process. 

Agreement in Principle. This is validation that a lender is provisionally happy to lend you what you’re looking for. There’s no point wasting your time looking at properties if you can’t get a mortgage.

Most estate agents now won’t permit viewings without an Agreement in Principle, to protect their clients – which is understandable. But that can be the difference between being able to arrange a viewing and possibly put an offer in if you like the place straight away. Don’t risk missing out on your dream property. 

Mortgage management service. I also offer mortgage management to make sure you’re on the best possible deal throughout the lifetime of your mortgage. Say you choose a two-year fixed deal – when that rate runs out, there’s a follow-on rate that’s usually significantly higher, which means your monthly repayments go up. I will reach out to you at an appropriate time with a mortgage review to protect you against going on that higher rate. 

Chasing up your mortgage. Once you make an offer I’m in constant contact with both the estate agent and the solicitor. As you can imagine there’s a lot of chasing involved throughout this process. I save a lot of time and stress for clients, because they’ve got enough on their plate already.

Mortgage protection. It’s also my job to ensure that you keep your home if the worst were to happen. I’ve got an understanding of all the insurance exclusions, terms and conditions to make sure that you’re on the right levels of cover. I advise on buildings and contents cover, life insurance and critical illness cover to make sure that you can stay in your home. 

Buy to Let mortgages. If you decide to move to a bigger house in future and want to rent out your existing property, I can help with that. If you’re looking to invest in your first Buy to let or expand your portfolio I can help with that as well, as well as remortgaging your Buy to Let property. 

I like to see completion on your first property as the start of the journey, not the end. It’s all well and good getting you in the house. But it’s my job to make sure that you’re covered for all eventualities. It’s not just “Here are your keys, enjoy the rest of your life.” It’s an ongoing relationship.

The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate most Buy to Let Mortgages

If you’re looking at purchases I’d say as soon as possible. I can give you an idea of how much you can borrow to set your budget on Rightmove or any property site, so you can start looking for your dream home. 

If there are any issues, such as credit problems that you weren’t aware of – like a mobile phone bill from three years ago, for example – we can work together to resolve it.
That will minimise any impact on your property plans. I can also give you an idea of monthly payments. It might be that you could afford the place from a lender’s viewpoint, but if it’s going to be stretching you too thin, it’s not worth doing.

If you’re looking to move home, again I’d say get in touch as soon as possible. If you’re looking at a remortgage, see me six months beforehand – that gives me more than enough time to secure you a rate. I can make sure you complete on the day that your existing deal runs out, so you don’t pay more than you need to.

If interest rates do go up during that time I’ve secured you that rate. But if they do go down, I can speak to the lender on your behalf and get you a better deal.

People do often come to me a little bit too late. I will always try to rush things through, because even one month on a follow on rate could be a £200 difference. That’s a lot of money in today’s climate.

The Mortgage Store has been operating successfully for years and they are a brilliant brand. The Mortgage Store Salford Quays is hot off the press. It’s brand new. It’s my baby – I couldn’t be more proud of it.

I’ve lived around the Salford Quays area myself for about 12 years or so. I’ve worked in the mortgage industry for a similar length of time and I couldn’t think of a better fit than me and the Mortgage Store.

I have really detailed knowledge of the local area and the north west in general because of the amount of time I’ve lived here. But I’ve also been helping customers from across the country for years. When Covid hit, we had to improve our technology game and use Zoom and things like that.

I’ve always taken pride in excellent customer service. All my Trustpilot reviews are five stars which is a good fit with the Mortgage Store. My main source of business is from clients referring their friends, family and colleagues to me. It’s because I put customers at the heart of everything I do – and The Mortgage Store does as well. It’s a really exciting collaboration and I can’t wait to get started.

No, absolutely not. I can completely understand any nerves or stress about this – it’s the biggest financial commitment of your life. And that also emphasises why it’s important you to go to a good broker and get things right. 

If you don’t you could end up with the wrong product. You could miss out on your dream home. And I don’t charge anything for my initial consultations, they are completely fee-free.

I can meet you on the phone, on Zoom or in person. It’s all about establishing if I’m a good fit for you, finding what you’re looking for and explaining how everything works. I wouldn’t dream of charging for that first meeting.

With the cost of living crisis, the cost of mortgages in general and the volatility in the market, it’s vital that you speak to someone that’s got your best interests at heart. You need a trusted guide that will look after you. 

I take great pride in looking after all my customers so if you’ve got any questions at all, even if you think they’re menial or stupid, they won’t be. Please don’t hesitate to come to me. I’m really looking forward to helping as many people as I can with the Mortgage Store Salford Quays. 

Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. 

You may have to pay an early repayment charge to your existing lender if you remortgage.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with your mortgage repayments.