Taking out a mortgage is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. The right mortgage adviser can make that decision easier. The wrong one can slow you down and cost you money you didn’t need to spend.
Here’s how to find someone who’s genuinely working for you.
1. Start with what you need
Before you talk to anyone, be clear on what you’re trying to achieve.
Do you need a lender who understands freelance or contract income?
Are you remortgaging and want to move quickly?
Or do you want someone who’ll take time explaining each step?
Mortgage advisers come in different styles. Some move fast and handle high volumes. Others specialise in complex cases like self-employment or poor credit. Knowing which you need helps you narrow the search.
2. Understand what “whole of market” means
Advisers fall into two broad categories:
- Whole-of-market (independent) advisers can recommend from most UK lenders.
- Tied or restricted advisers work with a single lender or a limited panel.
Neither is automatically better, it depends on your priorities.
If you want the widest choice and potentially lower rates, go whole of market. If you already have a preferred bank, a tied adviser can still be a good fit. You can check an adviser’s status on the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register. It lists who regulates them and what permissions they hold.
3. Ask how and when they’re paid
Mortgage advisers earn their money in a few different ways:
- Fees from you
- Commission from the lender
- Or a mix of both
Lender commissions are usually paid after your mortgage completes, so advisers are motivated to see things through.
If there’s a fee, it’s typically charged before starting an application or on completion (when the mortgage goes through). Some advisers charge an upfront fee to cover the work involved in preparing your application, in case you decide not to proceed.
An initial conversation and obtaining a Decision in Principle should be free, unless your situation is particularly complex.
A few independent advisers charge only fees and skip lender commission altogether. That’s uncommon for most buyers and tends to apply more in high-net-worth or specialist cases.
The key is to ask about fees early and make sure the answer is clear and simple.
4. Check qualifications and experience
Most UK mortgage advisers hold the CeMAP qualification (Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice) or equivalent. Experience matters, too.
Ask how long they’ve been advising, what types of clients they usually help, and whether they’ve worked on cases like yours before. A confident, straightforward answer is a good sign.
5. Look for signals of trust online
A good adviser doesn’t hide behind jargon. Check their website or social media presence.
Do they explain things clearly? Do their clients mention feeling supported or understood in reviews?
Pay attention to the language of those reviews. Words like explained, reassured, always called back tell you more than cheap or fast ever could.
6. Speak to a few before you decide
A ten-minute call will tell you more than hours of research. Notice how they handle your questions:
- Do they listen first or talk over you?
- Do they explain in plain English?
- Do they rush to collect paperwork, or take time to understand your situation?
The best advisers make complex things sound simple, not the other way around.
7. Compare confidence, not just rates
The cheapest rate isn’t always the best choice.
An adviser who gets things approved quickly and communicates clearly can be worth far more in peace of mind.
Remember, you’re not just buying a mortgage. You’re buying clarity and calm through the process.
Final thought
Finding the right mortgage adviser isn’t luck, it’s clarity.
Be clear about what you need, what they offer, and how they work. Once that’s in place, everything else becomes simpler.
UK Property Looker helps you find trusted, FCA-registered mortgage advisers across the UK, whether you’re buying, remortgaging, or just exploring options.