Should I use the estate agent's mortgage adviser?

You can, but they only work for one company and are incentivised to sell their own products. An independent broker like me searches the whole market — typically 50+ lenders — to find the best deal for your situation. The estate agent's adviser works for the estate agent. I work for you.

Do I need a Decision in Principle before viewing houses?

It's not mandatory, but it makes your offer much stronger. Estate agents take you more seriously, and sellers prefer buyers who already have finance lined up. I can usually get a DIP sorted within 24 hours.

How quickly can I get mortgage-ready?

If your documents are in order, I can usually have a Decision in Principle within 24 hours. The full mortgage application takes 2-4 weeks after your offer is accepted. The earlier you start the process, the faster you can move when you find the right property.

Alsager Property

Spotted a house in Alsager?

You've found a property you like. Now you need to move fast and move smart. Here's how to put yourself in the strongest position — before someone else gets there first.

Three things to do right now

When a good property comes up in Alsager, it doesn't hang around. The village is popular — good schools, train station, strong community — and decent houses often get multiple viewings in the first week. Here's how to be the buyer that sellers choose:

Get a Decision in Principle

This is a letter from a lender confirming they'd lend you a specific amount. It's not a full mortgage offer, but it shows estate agents and sellers that you're serious and you can afford the property. Without one, your offer is weaker than someone who has one. I can usually get this done within 24 hours.

Know your actual budget

Not just the mortgage amount — your total budget including deposit, solicitor fees, surveys, and moving costs. If the property is listed at £250,000, you need to know whether you can afford £250,000 plus £5,000-£8,000 in additional costs. I'll work this out with you so there are no surprises.

Book the viewing — but be prepared

Go and see it. But go knowing what you can afford, what questions to ask, and what to look for. If you love it, you want to be in a position to make an offer the same day — not go home and start the mortgage process from scratch.

The estate agent will offer you a mortgage adviser. Should you use them?

When you enquire about a property, the estate agent will almost certainly try to put you in touch with their in-house mortgage adviser. They'll make it sound convenient and helpful. And it is convenient — for them.

Here's what they won't tell you:

	Estate Agent's Adviser	Independent Broker (Me)
Who they work for	The estate agent (they're paid by the agency)	You (I'm paid by the lender when your mortgage completes)
Lenders searched	Limited panel (often one company's products)	Comprehensive panel — 50+ lenders
Incentive	To sell the property (they earn commission on the sale)	To find you the best mortgage (I earn nothing if you don't proceed)
Fee	Often charges a broker fee (£300-£500+)	Fee-free for standard cases
Local knowledge	May not be local (often a call centre)	Based in Alsager — I know the area, the properties, and the market

I'm not saying estate agent advisers are bad people. But their job is to sell the property, and having you use their mortgage service is part of that. My job is to find you the best mortgage — and if the property isn't right for you financially, I'll tell you that too.

What I know about buying in Alsager

I live and work in Alsager. I know the streets, the developments, the schools, and the market. That means I can tell you things a call-centre adviser can't:

Which streets hold their value and which are harder to sell
Whether a property is priced fairly for the area
What to look out for with specific property types in the village
Which lenders are comfortable with properties in the area
The realistic timeline for buying in the current market

This isn't something you get from a comparison website or a call centre. It's local knowledge from someone who actually lives here.

What do you want to do next?

I've found a specific property

Get in touch and I'll check your affordability, get a Decision in Principle, and make sure you're ready to offer.

Contact Rob

I'm still browsing

Use the affordability calculator to get a quick idea of your budget, then start looking with confidence.

Try the Calculator

I'm a first-time buyer

Read the complete first-time buyer guide for Cheshire — everything from saving to moving day.

Read the Guide

Why use a broker?

Understand the difference between going to your bank, using a comparison site, and using an independent broker.

Don't let someone else get there first

If you've spotted a property you like, the smartest thing you can do is get mortgage-ready now. A quick chat with me costs nothing — and it could be the difference between getting the house and losing it.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

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