How to Choose the Best Mortgage Broker in Hove – Questions to Ask in 2026
How to Choose the Best Mortgage Broker in Hove – Questions to Ask Before You Commit
Choosing a mortgage broker is a bit like choosing a builder. Pick the right one and the whole job feels easy. Pick badly and you spend weeks chasing, worrying and repeating the same information.
Here are some simple questions to help you find the right mortgage broker in Hove for your situation.
1 – Are you whole of market or tied to certain lenders?
You want to know how wide a net they can cast.
- A whole of market broker can look at a very broad range of lenders
- Some are restricted to a panel of lenders
- Bank advisers can only offer that bank’s own products
There is nothing wrong with a panel, but you should understand how many options are genuinely being considered on your behalf.
2 – Do you have experience with cases like mine?
Hove has a mix of:
- First-time buyers with small deposits
- Self-employed and company directors
- People with past credit blips
- Landlords and holiday let owners
Ask the broker directly: “Do you often deal with X type of case?” and “Can you give me an example of how you solved something similar?”.
3 – How do you charge?
Transparency on fees is important. Ask:
- Do you charge a fee, and if so, how much and when is it payable?
- Do you receive commission from lenders as well?
- What happens if my purchase falls through?
You should never feel awkward asking about money. A good broker will happily explain their charging structure.
4 – How do you communicate and how quickly do you respond?
Buying in a competitive market like Hove or Brighton means timing matters. Check:
- Will you mainly be in touch by phone, email or video call?
- Will I have a named contact or a team?
- What is your typical response time during the week?
You want someone who is reachable and proactive, especially once an offer is accepted.
5 – Can you support me beyond the first mortgage?
Your first mortgage is only part of the journey. Ask whether they also deal with:
- Remortgages
- Buy-to-let, if that is something you may consider later
- Protection – life insurance, income protection etc
You may prefer to build a relationship with someone who can support you as your circumstances change over the years.