The Pros & Cons of Using a Mortgage Broker in Manchester

It can be daunting taking that first step into the mortgage world for the first, second, or third time. With many options for first time buyers in Manchester, home movers and buy to let landlords’ to take for themselves, it is time and cost effective to get it right the first time.

Regardless of your mortgage goals and situation, we offer a tailored and friendly service to try and help you through your mortgage journey.

We understand the process can be complicated. Therefore, we have great confidence in our ability to help our customers through the mortgage process and provide expert mortgage advice in Manchester to new and existing customers.

In this article, we have collated an overview of the pros and cons of approaching a mortgage broker in Manchester which may help you, and why many people prefer coming to us for mortgage advice in Manchester. 

Why use a mortgage broker in Manchester?

Cost-Effectiveness

Many believe that by doing direct and finding your own mortgage deal, you are more likely to save money. This is not entirely the case, as most mortgage brokers in Manchester may charge a fee, however, this does base on circumstances and company you go towards.

It could be easier and more cost-effective if you have a lot of knowledge and have a simple case, but it can be more complex depending on your situation so approaching a mortgage broker in Manchester would be useful.

Not having much knowledge could result in ending up on the wrong deal or being unsuccessful on your mortgage application. Either of these conditions could end up you spending more money than you must or harming your credit score. Which can impact your chances of applying for a mortgage in the future.

With a dedicated mortgage advisor in Manchester by your side, they will aim to help you achieve your mortgage goals. Their goal is to get their recommendation right for the first time, at the best price. As much as this comes with a service fee, it could mean that you save much more money overall.

Local Bank Branch Relationship 

Loyalty can be one reason many customers approach the bank directly and how the mortgage process was previously run. This was the way before the rise of technology and online banking, in which loyal customers approached their local branch every day, usually talking to the same person.

In terms of the mortgage process, your best bet would have been to get the best person to approve a mortgage for you because you get help and guidance from the bank manager himself, who is an expert and has a thorough knowledge of your finances. Now, the process is significantly different with the credit scoring being digital.

Because of this, the bank manager will not physically go through the case themselves; it will go through a complex online system to see if you are eligible for a mortgage. Everything is fair regardless of which bank you are with.

Exclusive Mortgage Products 

Many believe that you are open to better, exclusive offers by going directly. Again, this is true, though, it can be limited. That is because they only offer their company the best deals.

Not all mortgage lenders are banks, and there are many more options available. Therefore, the deal that the bank considers suitable for you may not be the best deal beyond the bank you could have gone with.

Getting specialist mortgage advice in Manchester can be the best way to get a competitive deal that is suitable for you. One of our expert mortgage advisors in Manchester will be able to go through your case and find you the best deal from our large panel of lenders.

This is another advantage of approaching a mortgage broker in Manchester rather than just a bank.

After the topic of deals, you can find approaching a mortgage broker in Manchester can provide you with exclusive deals that you cannot find anywhere else. There will be a broad range of options when you are with a mortgage broker regardless of if you are a first time buyer, moving house, or looking to remortgage in Manchester.

Changes to Regulation & Consumer Protection  

In the wake of the 2007-08 credit crunch, a huge improvement in the mortgage market had to occur. One of these changes was stated in the 2014 Mortgage Market Review. Which instructed lenders without extensive expert advice to sell mortgages to their customers.

Because of this, people could not just approach a bank to tell them they wanted a mortgage and were promptly granted without checks. Not every employee in the bank could grant you a mortgage. Which was something that happened regularly regardless of whether they were qualified to do so or not.

As well as this, these changes also bought about consumer protection, which a bank would not have given you. Now, you can place a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman if you feel misadvised. Another way to make a claim is through the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

This means reassuring a customer that they will be safe and advised accordingly regardless of their mortgage journey. This applies to mortgage brokers in Manchester and lenders.

Book an Appointment with a Mortgage Advisor in Manchester 

Another drawback you get approaching a bank instead of a mortgage broker in Manchester is the timing. When you approach a bank, it can take months to talk to someone in a bank. Moreover, when you start the process, you are not updated as much through the mortgage journey.

Here at Manchestermoneyman, our responsive team will contact you at a time that is best for you and your day to day life. From early to late, 7 days a week, including weekends, our mortgage advisors in Manchester will be available to answer any of your questions and keep you up to date. You might find us being contactable on some bank holidays.

In some cases, you may attend your appointment on the same day, but this should not be the case. You can talk to someone whenever you are ready and available.

We understand that the lifestyle of each customer is different. As a result, our advisors in Manchester are available throughout the day, which means you can book an appointment beyond 9-5 or even on weekends! Our online booking system is simple, where you can find a slot to speak to a mortgage advisor in Manchester.

Responsiveness is a fundamental value within our company. Whether you are at the beginning of the process or towards the completion of the mortgage, our friendly team will always keep you up to date. If there are changes, your mortgage advisor in Manchester will contact you as soon as possible.

Providing this high-quality service is why many mortgage brokers in Manchester, like us, are favoured in the public eye. With this popularity, many people prefer to approach local experts rather than national banks.

Handling of Complex Scenarios 

Thanks to our extensive industry experience, we have found that some cases are more difficult than others. Below are just some scenarios that are slightly more difficult than the usual case:

• Mixed Depsoit – This means auditing two different sources like a gifted deposit and money from savings. 
• Zero Hour Contract Workers – Will there be a consistent income? 
• Looking to Make a Second Purchase – Can they afford to make that additional purchase? 
• Self-Employed with No Fixed Income – This can be challenging for anyone who is self employed in Manchester. 
• Poor Credit History – A lender will not look favourably upon an applicant who has mismanaged in the past. 
• Affordability – Can they afford a mortgage full stop? 

Previously, mortgage lenders could easily compete by offering better deals than the others. Now, the main change in which deal you go with is if you match the criteria.

You can find a cheaper deal, but it may not meet your criteria. To see if you can have a mortgage, the mortgage lender carries out a hard search (resulting in a footprint on your credit file).

In the case where you apply for the mortgage with a lender and refuse a deal in principle, this could harm your credit file. The most frustrating thing about all this is that it is very unlikely that you will be given a reason you have been rejected.

Agreement in Principle

Mortgage brokers in Manchester will be able to go through your case and advise you on ways to increase your chances of being accepted. With access to a wide range of lenders, they can find you the most suitable deal that perfectly matches you with its criteria and then start getting an agreement sorted for you in principle.

If you get an agreement in principle through Manchestermoneyman, it will usually be sorted for you within 24 hours of your free mortgage appointment.

Keep in mind that this doesn’t automatically mean you agree or guarantee a mortgage at the end. However, it makes your credit file much safer by having an expert go through it in advance. Our team of Mortgage Advisors in Manchester will always aim at getting our recommendation right the first time.

Should I use a Mortgage Broker in Manchester? 

There are pros and cons of approaching a mortgage broker in Manchester. On the hand, there are many pros and cons to going direct too. The difference is how fast you want your service to be, as well as how safe you want to be.

As a dedicated mortgage broker in Manchester, we have extensive experience in dealing with a wide range of clients who go through the mortgage journey. Whether you are a first time buyer in Manchester taking that first step into the mortgage world. Somebody who is coming towards the end of their fixed period, or looking to remortgage in Manchester, our team are more than happy to help!

Book yourself in for a free mortgage appointment or remortgage review to speak with an expert mortgage advisor in Manchester. Our team is here to help with your mortgage goals, with availability that suits you, subject to availability.

For more information about our service, check out our brilliant customer reviews. These show the high level of service we give our happy customers daily. We also have a YouTube channel MoneymanTV if you are looking for more insight into the mortgage world. 

Life Insurance Advice in Manchester

What is mortgage life insurance?  

Life insurance helps protect those you love if you die before you paid off all your mortgage payments. It will provide them with a lump sum to pay the remaining balance and have one less financial strain in an already difficult time. 

Here Malcolm has compiled a video to talk to you about the significance of having the correct life insurance in place for your situation.   

Dedicated Protection Specialist  

If you are looking for life insurance advice in Manchester, please get in touch to speak to a Life Insurance Specialist in Manchester. We give all/existing customers a free, no-obligation protection review that can often be arranged on the same day.  

During this consultation, you’ll get teamed up with one of our Specialist Mortgage Protection Advisors in Manchester.  

They will look at any existing policies you have in place and assess their suitability, then recommend you with the best insurance policy that matches your circumstances and meets your monthly budget.   

Different types of insurance cover  

• Death in Service  
• Family Income Benefit 
• Joint Life Insurance  
• Term Assurance  
• The whole of Life Insurance 

Death in Service  

Many companies offer their employees family a lump sum payment if the staff member dies while the firm employs them; you have to be on the payroll at the time of death to qualify for a payment, and this cover will most likely end as soon as you leave the company. 

Family Income Benefit 

Family income benefit designed to help pay a regular income if you die. An alternative to level term insurance, family income benefit aims to replace lost income if the person insured dies. 

Joint Life Insurance  

Joint Mortgage Life Insurance is a type of Life Assurance designed to repay a mortgage loan should one partner pass away. It can be cheaper than paying the premiums on two separate policies, but bear in mind that joint policies only payout on the first death. After that, the cover ends.  

Term Assurance  

Term Assurance is life insurance where the sum assured under the policy only gets paid out if death occurs within a specified term so that in the event of death before the end of the mortgage, the capital balance outstanding can get repaid. 

The whole of Life Insurance 

The whole of life insurance is a policy that helps ensure your family get a payout when you pass. Unlike term life insurance, which has a policy end date, whole of life insurance only ends when you pass away.  

Is life insurance important when taking our mortgage?  

You don’t have to take out life insurance for a mortgage; it’s not a legal requirement. But some providers might want you to have a policy in place as a condition of their mortgage offer. 

Should I get critical illness cover with mortgage life insurance? 

If you fall ill and are unable to work, critical illness cover provides a lump-sum payment that can pay off your mortgage or pay towards it. 

If you’d like that extra security, critical illness insurance is available either as a policy addition or in combination with your existing mortgage life insurance policy. 

Why Mortgage Protection Insurance is Essential to Have in Manchester

Insurance Advice in Manchester

Mortgage Protection Insurance is an umbrella term used to explain different kinds of cover available to customers who have taken out a mortgage. This cover got designed to reduce financial concerns for both you and your loved ones, in the event of any unforeseen circumstances that may occur whilst the mortgage process is active.

Here Malcolm has recorded a video to speak to you about the importance of having the correct insurance in place for your situation.

The central message here is due to the coronavirus pandemic; the importance of health and getting insurance is now greater than ever. There are differences in insurance to choose from when it comes to safeguarding you and your family.

Here at Manchestermoneyman, we will be able to compare lots of providers to help find you the best policy for your circumstances. The following insurance policies that we can offer to you are:

• Life Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Income Protection Insurance
• Menu Plan
• Family Income Benefit

For further clarification, get in touch and speak with one of our knowledgeable Mortgage and Protection Advisors in Manchester today. Our team will always be at the other end of the phone or email when you need to discuss.

Life Insurance Cover

Life insurance is an insurance policy that reduces the financial impact on your loved ones in the event you or another joint policyholder pass away. Our Mortgage Advisors in Manchester can run through all the different types of Life cover accessible to you and advise the most suitable plan for you.

Critical Illness Insurance

Critical illness cover is an insurance policy that covers serious illnesses detailed within a policy. Usually, these will include Stroke, heart attack, certain types and stages of cancer, and more. However, you are unlikely to be covered for pre-existing health issues you knew you had before taking out the insurance. As mentioned, the specific illnesses covered and not covered will be detailed in your policy.

The most significant thing is that the benefit gets paid if you fall victim to one of several specified critical illnesses and pays out whatever the long-term prognosis of that illness. The type of conditions covered vary from company to company; that’s why this type of insurance cannot be solely price-driven, and seeking Specialist Mortgage Advice in Manchester is recommended.

In practice many businesses will offer Life and Critical Illness Critical cover as a combined policy and would usually payout on the “first event,” namely whatever happens first – either death or a severe illness – the payout is made. They could also get written on a single or joint life basis.

Income Protection

Whereas Life and Critical Illness cover pay out a lump sum, Income Protection pays out a monthly sum intended to replace your wages in the event of you being unfit to work. In contrast to the Critical Illness cover, there are no limitations on the illnesses or injuries covered, the only factor being whether they make you unfit to work.

There are, however, restrictions on how much you can cover and how quickly benefits would start to get paid. Such As Life and Critical Illness cover, these policies are underwritten based on your health and lifestyle at the time you apply. All income protection policies get written on a single life basis.

Menu Plan

You can also combine Life Insurance, Critical Insurance, and Income Protection, into what’s called a menu plan. The providers do give you a discount each time you add a benefit in, and that can be a cost-effective way of taking cover.

With a Menu Plan, you can mix and match a range of cover and benefits to tailor a plan that suits your needs and budgets. We strongly advise all our customers should the worst happen, least you have covered yourself and your family, to find out more speak to one of our mortgage Advisors in Manchester today.

Family Income Benefit

The least common of the mortgage protection policies but can often be useful – especially for those with young households. These plans can get taken to Life and/or Critical Illness Cover, and get underwritten on the application in the same way.

However, in contrast to the traditional forms of policy, rather than pay out a lump sum, the cover would pay an annual or monthly income for the remainder of the term of the plan. Consequently, it can replace the payment of the primary worker for several years, dependent upon a particular client’s circumstances and, because of this would usually be written on a level or basis, or an index-linked basis designed to keep up with inflation.

Get in Touch with a Mortgage Advisor in Manchester Today

Many people have one or more of the different types of policy, and it would be wrong to think of Mortgage Protection Insurance as just an “either/or” choice. However, affordability plays a massive part, whilst it would be fantastic to cover yourself for every potential opportunity.

Our Mortgage Advisors in Manchester are here to discuss with you and tailor the type of cover to be the most suitable combination to your family’s priority and budget. To find out more, give us a call or fill out our enquiry form to speak with one of our Dedicated Protection Specialists Advisors in Manchester today.

Income Protection Insurance Advice in Manchester

Insurance Advice in Manchester

Income Protection Insurance is designed to pay out a monthly benefit if you are unable to work due to illness or accident. The applicant can decide along with the help of their Advisor how much cover to take out. Also how long they are prepared to wait before they are entitled to put a claim in.

Income Protection insurance can be expensive when comparing it to life cover. This is because you are far more likely to be unable to work due to illness than die. However, the payment of monthly benefit will continue to until you return to work. That is unless you have selected the “Budget” version of the policy. This typically only pays out for 24 months but is much cheaper.

The big advantage of Income Protection Insurance is that unlike Critical Illness Cover it pays out for whatever is preventing you from working. Unlike Critical Illness which is just a list of specified illnesses.

This type of policy is very popular amongst the self-employed. It can also appeal to employed applicants who do not benefit from generous Employer sick pay schemes.

Our Income Protection Insurance Advice Service

It is important to us that all of our customers are given an equal opportunity to take insurance through ourselves.  We wouldn’t be doing our job right if we didn’t mention it! 

We offer all of our customers a free, no-obligation protection review where we’ll have a look at any existing policies you have in place and assess their suitability.  We’ll then recommend which products, including critical illness and income protection that meet your needs.  If required, we’ll then tailor the plan to match your available monthly budget. 

Providing Income Protection Insurance Advice in Manchester & Surrounding Areas

• Life Insurance Advice in Manchester
• Mortgage Protection Insurance Explained
• Critical Illness Insurance Advice in Manchester

Critical Illness Insurance | Mortgage Advice in Manchester

What is critical illness insurance?

Critical Illness Insurance pays out a lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of the conditions on the policy such as Cancer, Heart Attack or Stroke. Sometimes Insurers receive criticism for declining claims when someone is very ill but with an illness not covered on their policy but most major providers actually payout over 90% of claims.

If claims are denied it can also be because the claimant did not disclose an underlying medical condition they have when they took the policy out.

In the event of a claim the lump sum is paid out irrespective of whether the claimant returns to work or not, the key thing is whether the illness they had matched the definition on their policy. 

The claimant can use the lump sum they receive for any purpose they wish. Be this to repay their mortgage, pay for medical care or make modifications to their home.

Different insurers cover different illnesses on their policies and it’s wise to take advice prior to selecting a policy. This will ensure that you end up with one that is suitable for your needs. Critical Illness Insurance is much more expensive than life cover because the chances of you making a claim are far higher.

Your chances of surviving the types of conditions covered are far higher than they were 30 years ago. However, if you are unfortunate enough to contract one of them then there are often financial consequences. Hence the popularity of the cover, especially for applicants who have mortgages or children to think about.

Our Critical Illness Insurance Advice Service

It’s very important to us that all of our customers are given an equal opportunity to take insurance our through ourselves. We wouldn’t be doing our job right if we didn’t mention it!  

We offer all of our customers a free, no-obligation protection review where we’ll have a look at any existing policies you have in place and assess their suitability.  We’ll then recommend which products, including critical illness and income protection that meet your needs. If required, we’ll then tailor the plan to match your available monthly budget.  

Providing Critical Illness Insurance Advice in Manchester & Surrounding Areas

• Life Insurance Advice in Manchester
• Mortgage Protection Insurance Explained
• Income Protection Insurance Advice in Manchester

Mortgage Advice in Manchester