Speaking to a mortgage advisor
Your first appointment with a mortgage broker is the exciting first step in any home buying process, so you might be keen to know what actually happens.
We explain all below…
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Author - Aidan Darrall Editor - Stuart Bowman
Last reviewed on 25th March 2025
What happens at an appointment with a mortgage advisor?
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or further along in your home ownership journey, meeting with a mortgage advisor can be daunting. But, don’t worry, at Mojo Mortgages our brokers are all about supporting your best interests.
- 1.
Understand your financial situation. Your mortgage appointment is a chance for your broker to get to know you. While nobody relishes the thought of having their financial details scrutinised, it's important for your broker to have a strong understanding of your income and expenses, your savings and your credit history so they can help you find the right mortgage product.
- 2.
Discuss your homebuying goals. Once your broker has a clear idea of your financial situation and budget, they’ll ask about the type of property you currently own or are looking to buy and the type of mortgage you’re looking for. Together, you’ll discuss the different mortgage types available, how much you can afford to borrow (taking loan-to-value ratio into account) and what term and deal lengths might be most suitable for you.
- 3.
Explain mortgage recommendations. They’ll then present you with their mortgage recommendations. Whole-of-market brokers like Mojo search thousands of mortgage products to find the best deal that matches your requirements and financial situation.
“While it’s understandable to be a bit nervous before your appointment, please don’t be. Your mortgage broker is on your side! We’re here to support your mortgage search and, ultimately, help you secure a mortgage for that dream house. Be open and honest with us from the get-go, so we can research and recommend the best options for you.”
Helen Lovell, Mortgage Expert
Our innovative approach to mortgage appointments
We’ve waved goodbye to lengthy appointments spent painstakingly filling out paperwork. With Mojo’s online solution, you can tell us all the info we need in minutes. So your time with our Mortgage Experts is better spent discussing what you really want to know - your mortgage options.
Quicker and simpler: Before arranging your first appointment with a mortgage advisor, complete the first part online. You’ll divulge nothing more personal than your annual income.
Get available mortgage deals sooner: We present you with available mortgage deals that you can apply for right away. Then simply schedule a quick call and one of our experts will guide you through the application process.
Experts by your side from start to finish. Our mortgage advisors, supported by our expert case handlers, will stay in regular contact with you until you complete, offering extra support when you need us.
What will a mortgage broker ask me at the first appointment?
- 1.
Tell us about your income and outgoings. This will include any outstanding debts or financial commitments, as well as general day-to-day expenses
- 2.
What type of property are you interested in? e.g. main residence, second home, or investment
- 3.
What location and price range are you looking at and do you have a property in mind yet? It’s usually best to hold off on your search until you have a mortgage in principle in hand
- 4.
What type of mortgage are you looking for? Do you know the difference between fixed-rate and variable-rate, how long of a term do you need and are there any important features you’re looking for in a mortgage?
- 5.
Do you have a deposit, how much is it and is it all savings? For example, some people use gifted deposits, or home ownership schemes
- 6.
Do you already have a mortgage in principle? Have you been to any other brokers or lenders directly to ask about a mortgage and received a mortgage in principle, for example
- 7.
Do you have any special financial circumstances? Are you self-employed or have irregular income?
- 8.
Have you considered your long-term financial goals? Do you plan to move within 5 years, do you have an imminent promotion etc
- 9.
Do you have any questions or concerns about the mortgage process? If so, we can ensure everything is clear to you before you proceed
Speak to one of our expert brokers
Mojo Mortgages' advisors can search across 70+ lenders to find the right mortgage deal for you.
Simply answer questions about your mortgage needs, and if you're eligible, we can book you in to speak to one of our experts.
What information does a mortgage broker need?
It’s a good idea to gather the documents you need for a mortgage application before your appointment so you have them to hand if needed. As a starting point, you’ll need to show proof of identity, proof of income, proof of address for the last 3 years, bank statements covering the past 3 months and proof of deposit.
What happens after I speak to a mortgage advisor?
Based on the information provided before and during your appointment, your mortgage advisor will compare thousands of mortgage deals across a wide range of lenders to recommend the mortgage products that best suit your needs. They'll check your eligibility against lender criteria to make sure you’re only applying with those most likely to accept you.
If you’re happy with the mortgage deal they’ve recommended, the next step is to get a mortgage in principle. This will give you a clearer idea of how much you might be able to borrow. We can help get this sorted for you. Our Mortgage Experts can often get your mortgage in principle straight after your appointment - all you need to do is upload the documents they need to your ‘My Mojo’ account.
Then, once you’ve had an offer accepted on your dream property or decided to go ahead with remortgaging through us, our brokers will help you submit your mortgage application. They’ll be by your side right up until completion to make sure the process runs smoothly.
Check out our guide for more information about how long a mortgage application takes through a broker.
Going above and beyond to save you time and money on your mortgage
Paperwork help ✅ Online mortgage broker exclusives ✅ Works alongside 70+ lenders ✅
1. Add your details online
No 2-hr phone calls or branch visits. It takes a few minutes to tell us what you need from your next mortgage online
2. Choose how & when to speak to your broker
ASAP? Or choose the perfect time - 6 days a week and evenings
3. Get your mortgage with Mojo
We’ll check and chase to help avoid delays. Get regular updates from your broker and case manager
FAQs
Your first appointment is likely to take around 30 minutes to an hour. This gives both you and your broker a chance to ask key questions.
How long your initial appointment takes will depend on:
How much your Mortgage Expert already knows about you (our online question set helps to get the ball rolling here)
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to remortgage
How much information you have ready to share
Your level of existing mortgage knowledge
The complexity of your financial situation
Of course, every customer is different. If you need more time with your mortgage advisor or need to arrange a follow-up appointment, that’s absolutely fine by us.
It’s simple to book an appointment with one of Mojo’s mortgage brokers:
Complete our brief online discovery form. This helps us gather key information about you in advance, so you don’t have to waste time during the appointment filling out paperwork. Your brokers can then spend the full session getting to know your requirements so they can recommend the right mortgage fit for you.
Choose your appointment slot. If we can offer you an appointment with one of our brokers, we’ll provide a list of dates and times for you to choose from. Last year, 75% of our customers spoke to an advisor within three days of booking an appointment.
Speak to a mortgage advisor. Your broker will call you at the pre-arranged time to kick-start your mortgage journey.
If you’re thinking of buying a house or moving home, it’s a good idea to book an appointment with a broker as soon as possible. They’ll help you arrange a mortgage in principle so you can start your property search with a more accurate idea of how much you can borrow. And, when you’re ready to apply, your broker will prepare and submit your application on your behalf - saving you all that time and hassle.
For those remortgaging, it’s recommended to start looking for deals at least six months before your current deal comes to an end. If rates drop and you’ve already found a new deal, don’t worry - your broker will be able to switch deals right up until your current deal ends. Giving you peace of mind you won’t miss out on a better rate by arranging a new deal early.
Mortgage brokers are usually paid in one of two ways, either by charging a fee to the customer or by receiving a commission from the lender they recommend. When a broker is paid by the lender, it’s often referred to as a fee-free service, as you don’t pay the broker directly. Mojo mortgage advisors always provide CeMAP qualified advice for free.
Brokers that do charge the customer directly typically either charge a flat fee (usually around the £500 mark), or a percentage of the total mortgage amount. This percentage charge can vary greatly, but it’s usual for a broker to charge anywhere between 0.3% and 1%.
All brokers are obliged to be clear about their fees under the requirements of the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority). It’s a good idea to check how a mortgage broker gets paid before you proceed, to make sure you don’t run into any unexpected costs down the line.
No, you don’t have to use a mortgage broker. However, many home buyers find it useful to have an expert scour the market for the best deals - and to be on-hand to answer any questions.
Some buyers prefer to do their own research and apply directly with a lender, especially if their situation is straightforward. Our guide breaks down the difference between applying for a mortgage with a broker vs with a lender.
Yes, while it’s perfectly possible to arrange a mortgage without using a broker, there are risks:
You might not find the most suitable mortgage option, missing out on more competitive deals that could save you money
You could end up applying for a mortgage that you’re not eligible for, leading to rejection and delays
Unsuccessful applications could damage your credit score
You won’t enjoy all the extra benefits of working with a broker - you’ll have to do everything yourself, from comparing deals to submitting and tracking your application
Opting for a broker adds an extra layer of protection. If the mortgage they recommend turns out to be unsuitable, you may have the option to take your complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service.