FAQs

A mortgage broker is a qualified professional who acts as the link between borrowers (you) and mortgage lenders (banks and building societies). Rather than going to your bank or multiple different banks, a Mortgage broker is someone who can access the deals and systems of lots of different lenders.

We are entirely independent which means we can source the best product for you from the whole of the mortgage market. We have access to the main mortgage lenders, sometimes receive access to special rates from lenders and recommend the best lender for your needs. We will save you time, handle the entire application for you, secure the best rate possible to your circumstances, monitor rates post-application and also guide you on the rest of the buying or remortgaging process too.

Yes. Springate Mortgages is a trading style of Springate Mortgages & Protection Limited, an appointed representative of The Right Mortgage Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our permitted business is advising on and arranging mortgages and non-investment insurance contracts.

No. The initial meeting is at our cost and this is where you’ll be able to ask any initial questions, learn more about our company and how we can help you and we can learn more about your specific circumstances to start providing you with options and solutions.

If you’d like to book in an initial call please click here

Not at all. We’re confident we can help make the process as stress free as possible however if for whatever reason you don’t want to continue with us after an initial meeting this is not a problem.

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It's different for everyone but if you’re speaking with us then you’re already in the right place.

Each lender views each set of circumstances differently so once we’ve got to know you we’ll aim to workout which lender will lend you the most based on your individual set of circumstances. Often the amount you can borrow is between 4.5x your sole/joint income and 5.5x your sole/joint income however this is often the maximum and things like credit cards, loans, school fees, childcare costs etc can affect this figure.

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Its often quicker getting approved for a Mortgage with a broker than if you went direct to a lender. This is because we know what questions a lender is likely to ask and what documents they are likely to request based on your particular situation. If your situation is complicated there may be a bit of initial research at the start but generally speaking we can obtain a ‘Decision in Principle’ within a day or two. Once we’ve applied for a full Mortgage application we would hope the Mortgage application was fully approved within 2 weeks. Service from lenders can vary and at times it can take longer.

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In our opinion it's not possible to plan too far ahead. These are really important decisions and if there is something on your mind please do not hesitate to get in touch.

If you’d like to book in an initial call please click here

Springate Mortgages are an independent mortgage broker based in the South East (near Brighton) that covers the whole of the UK.

Our advice is nationwide. We can help you to secure a mortgage using many methods of communication such as video calls, phone calls, WhatsApp or email to keep you updated regularly throughout your entire home buying or remortgage journey.

Face to face mortgage advice in the local area can also be accommodated upon request.

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No. If Comparison sites could do it all then those pesky meerkats would have run us all out of business years ago. Whilst comparison sites may be useful for getting an idea of interest rates, they aren’t nearly as sophisticated as the specialist mortgage search tools designed and used by firms like ourselves. Comparison sites are often slow to update and also rarely take into account your individual circumstances when reporting to you what the best options are.

As well as this, if you approach the banks directly, research tells us that you’ll have to spend a lot more time on applying for a Mortgage as well as having to tackle all the paperwork yourself.

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If the lenders didn’t pay us commission we would have to charge clients a lot more and the cost to the client could potentially be closer to a thousand pounds rather than a few hundred. Likewise if we solely relied on commission from the lender and didn’t charge a fee we wouldn’t be able to provide the same level of service. The amount of time we could spend with each client and on each application would be significantly reduced as well as the background support that helps secure better outcomes for you such as monitoring interest rates post application to see if we can improve further on the interest rate secured. In a nutshell, the fee doesn’t mean we are necessarily earning more than a ‘fee free’ broker but rather the fee allows us to have better systems in place and deal with less clients meaning we can support you better and ensure better outcomes for you.

If you are unhappy with our advice or any aspect of our services, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. We’ll do our best to resolve your concerns.

You can contact us by telephone: 01273 900693, email: info@springate-mortgages.co.uk or in writing: Springate Mortgages, 32 Springate Road, Southwick, Brighton, BN42 4LF.

If you are not happy with our response or do not feel comfortable contacting us then you can contact The Right Mortgage & Protection Network, 70 St. Johns Close, Knowle, Solihull, England, B93 0NH. If you are not happy with the outcome after this then the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) may be able to help. The FOS settles disputes between financial services businesses and their clients. Full details are available at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk

Absolutely - being declined doesn’t mean you can’t get a mortgage, it usually just means that particular lender wasn’t the right fit. Every lender has different criteria, and what one says no to, another might be perfectly happy with. This is where we come in. We look at your full situation, understand what went wrong, and match you with lenders who are far more likely to say yes. In many cases, it’s just about presenting your application properly and knowing where to go. We’ll guide you through it and give you a clear answer upfront, so you’re not wasting time or getting your hopes up unnecessarily.

We always explain our fees clearly upfront - no surprises, no awkward conversations later. Some cases are straightforward, others take more time and problem-solving behind the scenes, so costs can vary depending on what’s involved. What we can say is that most clients find we save them far more than we cost, whether that’s through better rates, avoiding mistakes, or simply saving a huge amount of time and stress. And importantly, we’ll always be honest about whether you actually need us. If it’s something simple you could do yourself, we’ll say so.

This is usually the first question people ask and the honest answer is: it depends. Lenders look at things like your income, outgoings, existing commitments, and sometimes even your lifestyle. Online calculators can give a rough idea, but they often miss the detail that can make a big difference. We’ll give you a much clearer, more accurate figure based on real lender criteria, not guesswork. That way, you know exactly where you stand and can move forward with confidence, whether you’re just starting out or ready to make an offer.

Yes, and this is exactly where good advice makes all the difference. Self-employed income, bonuses, dividends, or multiple income streams can all be assessed differently depending on the lender. Some are far more flexible than others. We understand how to present your income in the best possible way and know which lenders are more likely to work in your favour. So instead of hitting dead ends, you’re starting in the right place from the beginning.

In most cases, yes - but it’s not just about the rate. As a whole-of-market broker, we can access a wide range of lenders and deals, including options you won’t always find by going direct. But more importantly, we make sure the deal actually fits your situation - not just what looks cheapest on the surface. We also monitor rates between application and completion, which can potentially save you thousands if a better deal becomes available. On top of that, we handle the process, the paperwork, and the chasing, so you’re not left dealing with it all yourself.