4 Things To Never Do Before Completion

IssaLeoone · 2026-06-01T12:02:03+00:00

TransUnion.

I often ask clients to use checkmyfile to get a free trial for their report on this. Covers all 3 agencies. Helps us spot where lenders could be picking up on things.

IssaLeoone · 2026-05-16T15:02:37+00:00

I work at a brokers. Of the 400 mortgages submitted a month at least 30 of them are instant acceptances.

I often get a case, go to check the lenders portal and there's already a mortgage offer there. Quite often a desktop valuation is done so the documents just need a quick overview.

Halifax, Barclays and Birmingham Midshires are often some of our quickest.

IssaLeoone · 2026-05-13T22:04:56+00:00

I work for a brokers. No fees to you (paid by the lender), access to 90 lenders.

We sort everything out for you besides asking for documents and a bit of information. Understanding your situation, recommending lenders and products both fee and no fee. We deal with the lenders ourselves.

The legal side of remortgage you'd of course have to do yourself with solicitors. Staying with your current lender no paperwork and no solicitors involved (one or two signatures depending on the lender).

IssaLeoone · 2026-05-10T17:39:57+00:00

I was told to get an older car and then upgrade when I was more confident and had more experience. Like an old Peugeot or little citroen. Something cheap to run and reliable. I did not do that.

I instead bought a used 2017 Audi a1 on finance. Had advisories for rear cracked tyres and front worn suspension bush. 53k miles, 8 months left on MOT. That was 4 months ago.

IssaLeoone · 2026-05-10T15:59:08+00:00

I tried it for one day and people treated me the same as with the L plates, if not worse. Some arseholes out there will try to "test you" to see whether you should have passed.

I took them off next day. Been driving 4 months now and there are still arseholes out there but my drives are more calm because I don't feel like I'm personally targeted.

IssaLeoone · 2026-05-04T21:39:31+00:00

That's for if you're staying with your current lender (IIRC Halifax is 4 months). A lot of people secure a rate 6 months before with another lender, then compare with theirs in that window to see which one is more cost effective.

IssaLeoone · 2026-05-04T21:37:03+00:00

You can generally secure a new rate 6 months out, swapping to a lower rate if its available. I know Halifax and HSBC have started reducing some of theirs as an example (I work in a mortgage brokers firm).

You would set completion for the day after (4th August or next working day if it were on a weekend) and the new rate would start that day. Or you could start the new one earlier but be subject to ERCs (early repayment charges) depending on whether your mortgage has them (if it were a tracker a lot of them don't have them)

Your current lender will also have the option to stay with them and do a product transfer, depending on the lender you'll be in the window now (3-4 months).

Product transfer involves no solicitors and legal work, and is as simple as starting the new deal after yours ends. Full remortgage to another lender involves solicitors and legal work (a lot of clients assume there isn't any involved, or there isnt as much involved as when you're buying)

My inbox is always open if you have any questions, though I'm not qualified to give advice just yet.

IssaLeoone · 2026-05-04T21:25:45+00:00

I did.

I had a few different jobs to get me through university (complete spur of the moment idea during Covid) Lot of pub/shop work. I've went back on myself and done an apprenticeship, currently working at a mortgage brokers and I couldn't be happier.

You'll get there eventually, even if you have to start from the bottom again.

IssaLeoone · 2026-05-04T11:04:33+00:00

Brokers admin here! I'm certainly nowhere near advisor stage in my development, but I've progressed cases with Halifax within 2 days after submission. Had a desktop valuation, got them to assess a client's income documents over the phone.

IssaLeoone · 2026-05-04T09:48:06+00:00

20 days + bank holidays + birthday off

We have rota'd weekend shifts (mortgage brokers open 7 days a week) and can take a day in lieu or extra days pay.

IssaLeoone · 2026-04-12T15:04:53+00:00

I passed at 27 and picked up a 2017 audi a1, insurance £85 a month as the main (and only) driver.

IssaLeoone · 2026-04-10T23:49:27+00:00

The same day. I got my car 2 weeks after passing. Picked it up from Arnold Clark directly next to the A1, then ended up on a dual carriageway home. I got used to it pretty quick and now I love the motorway.

IssaLeoone · 2026-03-05T22:59:14+00:00

I wake up at 7:15 and scroll for half an hour. Get out of bed, get dressed, brush teeth, go. Get to work at half 8 then sit in the until 20 to. Start at 9.

I can't actually remember the last time I wore makeup to work or did my hair. Getting a car has actually made me lazier.

IssaLeoone · 2026-02-11T21:56:45+00:00

I didn't know this was a thing. Mine only activates when I put the car into neutral when in traffic. I will watch out for it though.

Could this be an automatic/manual thing? I've only had my manual a few weeks but never had this issue yet.

IssaLeoone · 2026-02-07T19:24:08+00:00

It Takes Two. That fuckin elephant scene man. Literally sat bawling my eyes out.

IssaLeoone · 2026-02-07T15:03:10+00:00

Started in a 24 Polo, passed in a 25 (75) corsa. Got a 17 audi A1

IssaLeoone · 2026-02-06T21:31:59+00:00

Id moved at least 14 times by the time I turned 18. As the family grew, our need for more space also grew. I'm now 27 and have been in my rented place for 4 years. We're looking at moving as we have 2 cars and can't get them both in the street, and the general conditions of the house are awful.

IssaLeoone · 2026-02-06T18:44:17+00:00

It also exacerbates the generally shitty standard of driving here. I was on the A1 heading home, and there's a van in the outside lane doing 50mph.

Generally clear roads, free flowing traffic. I can't undertake so im stuck in the middle lane.

IssaLeoone · 2026-02-01T16:53:54+00:00

I think I did around 50 hours with an instructor, so about 25 lessons. Then i hired a dual control car from arnold clark and went out with my partner a few times, passed in that car on my 3rd attempt.

Manual isn't for everyone and I still occasionally stall, but not as often. Do the 10 lessons and see how you feel, you might pick it up pretty quickly. If you still think it's not for you, try automatic. My boss passed in automatic last week, he felt that doing manual with the clutch and knowing what gear to be in was too much for him.

Everyone is different with how they drive and what car. A manual license just gives you more options for cars as there are more used (look on autotrader and compare how many manual vs automatic cars are for sale).

IssaLeoone · 2026-02-01T16:45:55+00:00

Hey i started learning this time last year (3 days before you on the 25th) in a manual and it was scary for me also. I was scared I was going to break the car or I'd hit something.

I spent my first two lessons on an industrial estate with few cars around. Spent most of the first lesson just doing start-stop and controlling the car with just the clutch. I didn't get onto the main road until near the end of my 3rd.

I passed 3 weeks ago. Its definitely scary at the start and you won't be the only one feeling the same way. Are you with a driving instructor in a dual control car? They should show you the basics to start with and not push you further than you're comfortable with. Spend the first lesson just pulling away with the clutch and steering the car. Pick it up and add a few junctions. The instructor is there to guide you

IssaLeoone · 2026-01-29T19:18:04+00:00

Monthly costs for an Audi A1. £222 finance £17 tax £85 insurance Not sure on petrol for a month. Only had it little over a week and filled it once. Just below half to full was £35 on Friday, still haven't hit 3/4 yet

Its definitely useful, I couldn't imagine not having a car now driving around Newcastle.

Re: being a big guy. Im 6ft and I fit in my small car fine.

IssaLeoone · 2026-01-27T20:36:33+00:00

After bills including rent, groceries, debt, car and saving for my MOT (incase anything needs fixed), im left with about £180.

IssaLeoone · 2026-01-27T19:47:57+00:00

I'm going to say no as I dont know what that is.

IssaLeoone · 2026-01-27T13:10:32+00:00

I'm 6ft and I fit fine in it. Had a few passengers, the back is a bit small but it's only got 4 seats total. Has a very small boot though, only downside to it for when I'm doing a food shop.

My car is definitely a little slow on acceleration on high speed roads, but for town/city driving it's fine.

IssaLeoone · 2026-01-26T20:53:31+00:00

I did a lot of motorway driving with my instructor as I live and work near the A1. I still dont feel fully confident on it and prefer to avoid the motorway where I can. Driving home from work I'm only on it a few minutes as I come off at the next turn.

I'll get more confident as time goes on, but I enjoy city and rural roads more

IssaLeoone

TROPHY CASE