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Guide to Online Mortgages

It’s never been easier to get started with your mortgage online. Whereas a few years ago if you wanted a mortgage, your only option would be to call up a broker or lender on the phone, or visit them in person, now you can arrange everything quickly and easily via your laptop and phone. This can make the whole process of applying for a mortgage so much faster, enabling you to see which mortgage deals you’re eligible for and to apply at a time that’s convenient to you. Online mortgage services have been streamlined to ask all the same questions that an offline adviser would and can then point you in the direction of the mortgage products you could be eligible for with expert advice to ensure you get the best deal for your circumstances.

How do I apply for a mortgage online?

At L&C we use a simple online finder which searches over 90 lenders deals, so finding and applying for a mortgage needn’t involve trawling through and filling out lots of mortgage enquiries for different lenders.

You start by entering a few details, such as whether you’re remortgaging to a better deal or buying, how much you want to borrow, how big a deposit you’ve saved or how much equity you own in the property. You’ll also be asked for details of your income and outgoings, so that our online mortgage finder can calculate how much you can borrow and work out which deals you’ll qualify for. An expert will then give you a call to recommend the very best deal for you.

Once you’re happy with a mortgage deal, you then complete the online mortgage application. This will be pre-populated with the information you’ve already given, so you don’t have to give the same information twice. After you’ve submitted this, you can then track your mortgage application online 24/7 so you know exactly how it’s progressing.

Can I get a mortgage in principle online?

Yes, you can. Our online Mortgage Finder will allow you to check your eligibility against 90+ lenders criteria to see which deals you will qualify for, how much you can borrow and what it will cost. You can then download your own decision in principle certificate. Unlike many lenders’ agreement in principle or mortgage in principle our online version does not require a credit check and is based upon the information you input, so won’t harm your credit score to apply. As with any mortgage in principle it’s not the same as the mortgage offer, which is official confirmation from a lender that it’ll definitely provide you with a mortgage and is only issued by a lender once they’ve done all the checks, including the property valuation. Visit our dedicated mortgage in principle page for more information.

What are the benefits of applying for my mortgage online?

Applying for your mortgage online has lots of advantages. Here are some of them:

• Online mortgages can be quicker to submit than traditional applications – There’s no need to write out your form by hand and then wait for the post to deliver your mortgage application - you simply fill out the form online at a time that’s convenient to you and we'll deliver it to the lender you’ve chosen.

• You've got someone on hand to talk to – Online mortgages make it quicker and easier to apply, but if you get stuck at any point, you can still pick up the phone at any point and speak to a human who will fill out the form for you.

• Our entire service is free. At L&C, unlike some other brokers, we never charge a fee for our service (see below for more information).

• You can stop and start your search – Life can be busy, and we all know what it’s like to start something and then be interrupted. The good news is that you don’t have to finish your online mortgage application the same day you’ve started it. L&C’s ‘Save for later’ feature, for example enables you to drop and pick up your mortgage search whenever you want to. So, for example, you can start it in your lunch break and then finish it off in the evening when you get home.

Will a mortgage broker still be available to advise me during my online application?

Yes, if you get stuck on your online mortgage journey, or just want to check something, our telephone lines at L&C are open seven days a week (9am-8pm Mon-Thur, 9am-5.30pm Fri, 9am-5pm Sat and 10am-4pm Sun) so you can speak to an adviser if you need to. It helps if you submit the details you’ve entered online so far, so we can see them when you call. You don’t have to have finished all the questions, just send us where you’ve got up to. Once you're ready an adviser will call you to run through the details and recommend the most suitable product for your situation.

How much can I borrow with an online mortgage application?

Just like a traditional mortgage application, the amount you’ll be able to borrow using our online service, will depend on your income as well as your outgoings, as lenders will want to see that you can afford monthly payments both now and if interest rates rise in the future. The Mortgage Finder incorporates a real time mortgage calculator to show you how much lenders might be prepared to offer you. All you need to do is enter a few details, and it will calculate the amount you could be able to borrow. Like L&C’s advice, the online mortgage calculator and finder is free to use whenever you want to.

Will applying for my mortgage online limit the deals and lenders I have access to?

No. At L&C we have access to deals available from over 90 lenders. You’ll see deals in real time online and we’ll check the others before we recommend the best deal for you.

Is there a charge for your advice and service?

With L&C it won’t cost you anything to use us. Some online brokers charge fees. For example, some brokers may charge a fixed fee for you to use their service, or a percentage of the mortgage you’re taking out. At L&C we never charge our customers a fee for our service or advice, so you’ll benefit from free mortgage advice online, and we will always let you know exactly how much we will receive from the lender. Find out more how we’re paid here

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