Free mortgage broker
We’ll get you the perfect mortgage, all for free.
1
We find your perfect mortgage
out of 20,000 options from 90+ banks & lenders
Tell us about you and the home you’re looking to buy, and we’ll set you up with your own mortgage expert.
We’re a whole-of-market broker, so we have access to nearly every mortgage out there. Hell, we have access to exclusive deals from your own bank that your own bank won’t offer you.
2
Your team of experts
do all the applying & following up
We do the application paperwork for you, then pester the bank for updates until your keys are in hand. Your mortgage expert and case manager stay by your side the whole way, keeping you in the loop.
3
3
Plus
We do the legal work, sort your property survey
& guide you through the results
Here’s who you’ll have on side: A surveyor, who gets you a condition report; a solicitor, who handles all the legal stuff; and your case manager, who supports you the whole way.
We’ll handle all the legal stuff and get you a comprehensive report on your future home, so you know exactly what you’re buying – and it’s synced up with your mortgage for serious efficiency.
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Track everything in your Habito dashboard up to the very end – and beyond.
Learn more about mortgage brokers
What is a mortgage broker?
A mortgage broker helps you find the best mortgage – whether you’re looking to buy a home for the first time, or switch an existing mortgage to a different deal.
Your broker gives you helpful advice about which lender to choose, finds you the best mortgage deals based on your circumstances, and guides you through the mortgage application process. Mortgage brokers typically don’t provide the mortgage loan themselves, but they’ll help you find and access the right one.
At Habito, we’re a little different from conventional mortgage brokers. We’re a whole-of-market mortgage broker, meaning you can access nearly every mortgage out there through us. We can also help you with the complete home-buying process – your legal work and property survey – as well as the mortgage. Basically, it’s everything you need to buy, under one roof.
Mortgage brokers in the UK are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Your broker gives you helpful advice about which lender to choose, finds you the best mortgage deals based on your circumstances, and guides you through the mortgage application process. Mortgage brokers typically don’t provide the mortgage loan themselves, but they’ll help you find and access the right one.
At Habito, we’re a little different from conventional mortgage brokers. We’re a whole-of-market mortgage broker, meaning you can access nearly every mortgage out there through us. We can also help you with the complete home-buying process – your legal work and property survey – as well as the mortgage. Basically, it’s everything you need to buy, under one roof.
Mortgage brokers in the UK are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
What can a mortgage broker help you with?
As a buyer, you can use a mortgage broker to help you find the right mortgage deal for you. This means getting the right amount, on attractive terms, with the best interest rates available. They provide tailored advice based on your unique personal and financial situation, making sure you get the best shot at securing a mortgage for your new home. And a mortgage broker like Habito will also help you navigate through the daunting mortgage application process – for free!
Why might you want to use a mortgage broker?
Technically, you could go straight to a bank and ask for an offer. But it’s difficult to know whether that deal is the best you can get without scouring the market – there might be a much better deal out there with another bank. A whole-of-market mortgage broker, like Habito, will be able to give you the full picture of what’s available to you.
Also, some mortgage lenders only lend through brokers, meaning you could get a much better mortgage deal that saves you money by using a broker rather than going it alone.
If you’re concerned that you may not be eligible for a mortgage, for example due to your employment status or credit rating, a mortgage broker will be able to give you customised advice about what to do, which lenders are more suitable, and which documents you’ll need.
Also, some mortgage lenders only lend through brokers, meaning you could get a much better mortgage deal that saves you money by using a broker rather than going it alone.
If you’re concerned that you may not be eligible for a mortgage, for example due to your employment status or credit rating, a mortgage broker will be able to give you customised advice about what to do, which lenders are more suitable, and which documents you’ll need.
How should you choose a mortgage broker?
Once you have your shortlist of mortgage brokers to consider, check they’re registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Once you’re satisfied everyone is legit, you can book some introductory chats to see which mortgage broker might be the best fit for your situation.
Here’s what you can expect if you choose Habito:
-If you haven’t found a property yet, sign up for free, fill in a few details online, and get your Mortgage in Principle (MIP)
-Once you’ve found a property and had an offer accepted, let us know, and we’ll pair you with your own personal mortgage expert
-We’ll look through 20,000 options from 90+ lenders, find the best mortgage deals for you, and advise you about the ones that are perfect for your situation
-We’ll do the application paperwork for you, then pester the bank for updates until your keys are in hand. Your mortgage expert and case manager stay by your side the whole way, keeping you in the loop.
And you get all of this for free, because we collect a fee from the lender – not the homebuyer.
By the way, our service is rated 5 stars in this independent Habito review.
Here’s what you can expect if you choose Habito:
-If you haven’t found a property yet, sign up for free, fill in a few details online, and get your Mortgage in Principle (MIP)
-Once you’ve found a property and had an offer accepted, let us know, and we’ll pair you with your own personal mortgage expert
-We’ll look through 20,000 options from 90+ lenders, find the best mortgage deals for you, and advise you about the ones that are perfect for your situation
-We’ll do the application paperwork for you, then pester the bank for updates until your keys are in hand. Your mortgage expert and case manager stay by your side the whole way, keeping you in the loop.
And you get all of this for free, because we collect a fee from the lender – not the homebuyer.
By the way, our service is rated 5 stars in this independent Habito review.
How much do mortgage brokers charge?
Let’s get this out of the way: Habito is 100% free. We collect our fee from the lender, not you.
We offer another service that we do charge for – our home-buying service, where we help you sort the property survey, the mortgage, and the legal work together – everything you need if you’re buying a home.
But if you just need us to help you find the best mortgage deal, we won’t charge you a thing.
Not every mortgage broker is free, though. Some mortgage brokers will want to bill you on an hourly basis. Some charge a flat fee, often split into two parts – the first when you start working with them, and the final when you sign your mortgage agreement with the lender. Expect to pay around £300 for an independent mortgage advisor, but can be lots more.
All mortgage brokers get a commission from the lender once your mortgage is approved and signed for, in exchange for sending a new customer their way. This commission is usually between 0.3% and 0.5% of the mortgage value, and it’s the same amount for all brokers.
Brokers should always be upfront and transparent about how much they charge, but if you’re unsure about anything, it’s best to ask before you sign any paperwork.
We offer another service that we do charge for – our home-buying service, where we help you sort the property survey, the mortgage, and the legal work together – everything you need if you’re buying a home.
But if you just need us to help you find the best mortgage deal, we won’t charge you a thing.
Not every mortgage broker is free, though. Some mortgage brokers will want to bill you on an hourly basis. Some charge a flat fee, often split into two parts – the first when you start working with them, and the final when you sign your mortgage agreement with the lender. Expect to pay around £300 for an independent mortgage advisor, but can be lots more.
All mortgage brokers get a commission from the lender once your mortgage is approved and signed for, in exchange for sending a new customer their way. This commission is usually between 0.3% and 0.5% of the mortgage value, and it’s the same amount for all brokers.
Brokers should always be upfront and transparent about how much they charge, but if you’re unsure about anything, it’s best to ask before you sign any paperwork.
What questions should you ask a mortgage broker?
Mortgage experts are a fantastic source of information and advice for everything related to mortgages, but also the home-buying process. You can ask them about all sorts of things:
-What documents should I gather in advance of a mortgage application?
-How can I increase my chances of being eligible for a mortgage?
-What are the best mortgage options for first-time buyers?
-Which is better for me: a shorter fixed period, or a longer one?
-When is the best time to remortgage in the future?
-How can I get a mortgage if I’m not a UK resident or citizen?
-What will a solicitor or conveyancer do, and how much will it cost?
-What documents should I gather in advance of a mortgage application?
-How can I increase my chances of being eligible for a mortgage?
-What are the best mortgage options for first-time buyers?
-Which is better for me: a shorter fixed period, or a longer one?
-When is the best time to remortgage in the future?
-How can I get a mortgage if I’m not a UK resident or citizen?
-What will a solicitor or conveyancer do, and how much will it cost?
Can mortgage brokers offer mortgage loans directly?
Typically, a mortgage broker will help you source the best mortgage deals from banks, building societies, and other lenders. Most mortgage brokers won’t be able to offer you a loan directly – their job is to connect you to the right lender.
Can a mortgage broker always find the best deals?
It depends if your broker is whole of market (like we are at Habito!). Some mortgage brokers only work with certain lenders, or specialise in certain types of mortgages, so have a more limited range of deals to offer you.
Often, yes, a mortgage broker will find you the best mortgage deal. Although sometimes, a bank will offer a special-rate mortgage to its existing customers, which aren’t available through any brokers. It’s always worth asking your bank about this at the same time as speaking to a broker.
Either way, using a mortgage broker (especially when it’s free, like with Habito) gives you much better context for making a decision. There’s a great chance your broker will uncover a deal that you’ve never seen, and one which beats anything your bank could offer.
Often, yes, a mortgage broker will find you the best mortgage deal. Although sometimes, a bank will offer a special-rate mortgage to its existing customers, which aren’t available through any brokers. It’s always worth asking your bank about this at the same time as speaking to a broker.
Either way, using a mortgage broker (especially when it’s free, like with Habito) gives you much better context for making a decision. There’s a great chance your broker will uncover a deal that you’ve never seen, and one which beats anything your bank could offer.
What are your rights when using a mortgage broker?
Firstly, you have the right to use any mortgage broker you like. Even if your estate agent recommends a particular broker, you don’t have to choose them if you don’t want to. In fact, going with your estate agent’s broker can be an expensive mistake.
Because mortgage brokers work in a regulated industry, you’re well protected by the law. If they offer you advice that turns out to be false or badly suited to your personal situation, you can go to the Financial Ombudsman to file a complaint and resolve it.
It’s also important to remember that your mortgage is offered to you by a lender, not the mortgage broker. You should review the terms and conditions of the mortgage offer with your broker, and preferably, with another legal professional such as your solicitor.
Because mortgage brokers work in a regulated industry, you’re well protected by the law. If they offer you advice that turns out to be false or badly suited to your personal situation, you can go to the Financial Ombudsman to file a complaint and resolve it.
It’s also important to remember that your mortgage is offered to you by a lender, not the mortgage broker. You should review the terms and conditions of the mortgage offer with your broker, and preferably, with another legal professional such as your solicitor.
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