Question 1

What does a mortgage broker do?

Accepted Answer

A mortgage broker helps you find and secure the most suitable mortgage for your needs by comparing products from a wide range of lenders. At Greenshoots Financial, we offer independent advice to ensure you get the best possible deal tailored to your financial situation - it is our job to do all the legwork and take the pressure from you. We are headquartered in Bathgate but work with customers all over Scotland for their mortgage and insurance needs.

Question 2

Why should I use a local mortgage broker?

Accepted Answer

Working with a local mortgage broker means you benefit from personalised service and in-depth knowledge of the local property market. We understand regional lender criteria and can often access exclusive deals not available directly to the public.

Question 3

What is an agreement in principle (AIP)?

Accepted Answer

An agreement in principle (AIP) is the first step to getting a mortgage. Some lenders also call this a mortgage in principle, mortgage promise or decision in principle. An AIP helps understand how much you could borrow before you apply for a mortgage and it shows estate agents and sellers that you’re serious about buying, and in a position to do it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a mortgage broker do?

What is the difference between a mortgage broker and going directly to a bank?

Why should I use a local mortgage broker?

What makes Greenshoots Financial the mortgage broker for me?

What will we cover in our first conversation?

What documents do I need to apply for a mortgage?

How soon can I get an appointment?

How much can I borrow for a mortgage?

How much do I need for a deposit for a mortgage?

Does applying for a mortgage affect my credit score?

What is an agreement in principle (AIP)?

How long does it take to get a mortgage approved?

Does Greenshoots Financial help first-time buyers?

What schemes are available for first-time buyers in the UK?

What is the difference between a fixed rate and a tracker mortgage?

What's the difference between interest-only and repayment mortgages?

What is an offset mortgage and how does it work?

Can I overpay my mortgage without a penalty?

What is an early repayment charge (ERC)?

When should I start looking at remortgaging?

Is it worth remortgaging to release equity from my home?

Can you help with buy-to-let mortgages?

How is a buy-to-let mortgage different from a residential mortgage?

What if I have bad credit or have been declined before?

Can I get a mortgage after a missed payment or default?

What is a specialist or adverse credit mortgage?

Can self-employed people get a mortgage in the UK?

How many years of accounts do I need if I'm self-employed?

Can contractors get a mortgage based on day rate?

What types of insurance can Greenshoots Financial help me with?

What's the difference between life insurance and income protection?

Can I get income protection if I'm self-employed?

Do I need life insurance if I have a mortgage?

What are your fees?

When will I have to pay you for your advice?

Why do you charge for mortgage services but not for insurance?