Choosing a mortgage broker for your first London home

If you are buying your first home in London, a useful broker should do more than quote a rate. They should check whether the mortgage fits your income and deposit and whether the home you have in mind is likely to meet a lender’s property rules. Count Ready advises London buyers by phone and online from Chelmsford. We do not have a London branch; a face-to-face appointment may be possible in some circumstances.

What should a broker check for a London purchase?

Start with the home you want to buy and the full monthly cost. A flat can bring service charges, ground rent where applicable, a lease to review and possible major works. For a new-build or high-rise flat, the lender may ask for further information about the building, valuation or fire-safety position. Your conveyancer handles the legal checks; a mortgage adviser can raise likely lender questions before you rely on a particular mortgage.

Ask the broker: “What property details do you need before I make an offer, and what might change the mortgage options?” If you are buying through shared ownership, ask how rent and service charges will be considered alongside the mortgage. Our separate London first-time buyer mortgage guide covers budgets, deposits, schemes and tax. See the high-rise flat guide for the building-specific questions.

Three questions to put to any London mortgage broker

1. Which lenders can you consider for my case? Ask the adviser to explain the scope of their service and any relevant limits. A broker’s range depends on their arrangements, and some products are available only by going direct to a lender. Do not assume “whole of market” from a general claim.
2. What will I pay, and when? Ask for the advice or processing fee, any lender product fee, how the broker is paid by the lender, and what happens if an application does not proceed. Compare the total cost and the support offered, not just the headline rate or broker fee.
3. Who will handle a property or lender query? Find out who submits the application, how updates are given, and what the adviser will do if a valuation, lease term, building document or underwriting question slows things down. Your solicitor or conveyancer remains responsible for the legal purchase.

You can check a firm or appointed representative through the FCA’s firm-checking guidance and live Financial Services Register. Count Ready Limited’s published details identify it as an appointed representative of Connect IFA Limited; check the current record and permissions before appointing any adviser. You can also read about our adviser. For a fuller UK-wide broker comparison, see our first-time buyer broker guide.

How Count Ready works with a London first-time buyer

1. Tell us where you are. You might still be saving, viewing flats, ready to offer or facing a deadline after an offer has been accepted. The initial conversation is free, and you do not need to have chosen a property.
2. We identify the checks that matter. An adviser can discuss your income, deposit source, commitments, credit history and preferred property. If a lender or property issue needs evidence, we explain what to gather before an application.
3. You decide whether to go ahead. We explain the advice process and agree any chargeable fee for your case before chargeable work. If appropriate, we can discuss an agreement in principle and later a full mortgage application. A lender makes the lending decision; neither an agreement in principle nor advice guarantees an offer.
4. We keep you informed. We help with mortgage-related lender queries as the application moves forward. Your conveyancer deals with the legal work and will check the property and transaction documents.

The usual mortgage-offer fee shown in our published terms is £595, but the amount can vary by case. A separate £199 processing fee may apply; it is not always charged and is not included in an offer-stage fee. We may also receive commission from the lender. We will confirm the actual fees and payment points for your case before any chargeable work. Read our Terms of Business and ask us to explain anything unclear.

Questions about using a broker for a London first home

Do I need a broker who has an office in London?

No. What matters is whether the adviser can explain the service, lender scope, costs and property checks relevant to your purchase. Count Ready works with London buyers by phone and online from Chelmsford; we do not have a London branch.

Can I speak to Count Ready before I find a home?

Yes. A first conversation can help identify a sensible budget, what evidence to prepare and whether any deposit, credit or income detail needs attention. It is an enquiry, not a mortgage application or an approval decision.

What if I am self-employed or have had credit problems?

Tell the adviser early, before making repeated applications. The type and timing of a credit issue, or the way your income is evidenced, may affect lender options. Our self-employed mortgage and first-time buyer credit guides explain the separate considerations.

Will a broker find me a property or check the lease?

No. An estate agent markets the property, and a conveyancer checks the legal title and lease. A mortgage adviser can discuss whether the property details may affect lender choice and help with mortgage-related questions.

Reviewed October 2026. This is general information, not a personal mortgage recommendation. Lender criteria, product availability and fees can change. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.