I offer fee-free mortgage advice for standard cases, and the question I get asked more than almost anything is: "What's the catch?"
It's a fair question. When something's free, you naturally wonder what you're not being told. So let me explain exactly how it works — no spin, no sales pitch.
How do fee-free brokers actually make money?
When I arrange a mortgage for you and it completes, the lender pays me a commission. It's called a procuration fee. Every lender pays it, and it comes out of the lender's pocket — not yours.
Here's the important bit: the rate you get is exactly the same whether you go through a broker or walk into the bank yourself. The lender doesn't add anything on top to cover my commission. It's built into their business model — they'd rather pay a broker to bring them good business than spend that money on advertising.
So from your perspective, you're getting professional advice, someone to handle the paperwork, and access to deals from across the market — and it hasn't cost you a penny.
So what's the catch?
There isn't one. But I understand the scepticism, so let me address the concerns people usually have:
"Will you just recommend the mortgage that pays you the most commission?"
No. The FCA requires me to recommend the most suitable product for your situation. And honestly, the commission differences between lenders are small — we're talking tens of pounds, not thousands. It would make no sense to recommend a worse deal for a tiny difference in commission. My business depends on people being happy and recommending me to their friends.
"Do fee-free brokers have access to fewer deals?"
No. I search the same comprehensive panel of lenders regardless of whether I charge a fee. The panel is determined by my network (Openwork), not by my fee structure. Fee-free doesn't mean cut-price service.
"If it's free, will I get a worse service?"
I'd hope not — you can check my Google reviews for that. I handle every case personally, from the first conversation to the day you get your keys. Fee-free means fee-free, not half-hearted.
When might you actually need to pay a broker fee?
I'm upfront about this: there are some situations where a fee is fair and reasonable. Complex cases take significantly more time and specialist knowledge. If your case falls into one of these categories, I'll always tell you before we start:
Cases where a fee may apply
- Adverse credit history — missed payments, CCJs, or defaults
- Unusual property types — non-standard construction, above commercial premises
- Complex income structures — multiple businesses, overseas income
- Bridging finance or commercial lending
If a fee applies, it's a fixed amount (£345 for complex cases) and I'll confirm it with you in writing before any work begins. No surprises.
For the vast majority of people — first-time buyers, home movers, remortgages — my advice is completely fee-free. That covers probably 90% of the people I speak to.
What do you actually get from a fee-free broker?
Sometimes people think "free" means "basic." So here's what's included when you work with me:
Full market search
I compare deals from across a comprehensive panel of lenders — not just one or two banks
Personal recommendation
Based on your situation, not a generic comparison website result
Application handling
I submit the application, chase the lender, and deal with any queries they raise
Regular updates
You'll always know where things stand — I don't disappear after submitting the application
Plain English explanations
I explain what everything means so you can make confident decisions
Support right through to completion
From the first conversation to the day you get your keys
Look, I get it — "free" sounds too good to be true. But this is genuinely how the industry works. The lender pays the broker, the borrower gets professional advice at no cost. It's been this way for years.
If you've got any questions about how it works, or you just want to have a chat about your situation, give me a shout. No obligation, no pressure — and yes, that's free too.
