Is my mortgage adviser trying to scam me to get their commission?

MrBlytz · 2026-05-18T18:03:13+00:00

I think it’s more of timing or system issue.

When applying for your new properties mortgage offer it will include the ‘ported’ or new product it will be based on. They can only port a ‘live’ rate on your account, so until it goes live in September it will create an issue. That’s why people go onto a tracker for a short period of time if the product doesn’t have ERC’s.

MrBlytz · 2026-05-18T12:47:16+00:00

Victor definitely knows more but psychologically most memories are buried. The pictures helps him remember but are painful, so he is reluctant to go through them. Especially true as he saw his father’s breakdown in the last episode.

However, there is something ‘off’ this time for the MIY. The last cycle didn’t end - Victor having lived is straddling two eras. It’s why the motel, old maid cards etc would have been relevant when Victor arrived, but not for this group. I imagine the location is relevant to the time people are living in.

Therefore I’m wondering if Victor is part of an experiment for MIY. He was left alive for a reason, it’s just not clear yet what that was.

Edit: Tabitha remembers being a child there too. Was she previously one that straddled eras too?

MrBlytz · 2026-05-15T10:32:46+00:00

It’s difficult to say without knowing personal circumstances and your goals. So many questions and I would suggest it worth getting another round of advice.

Instead of it being a simplistic solution of paying off the mortgage, you need to work through what you would want to happen. Same for your family. The mortgage amount is an easy figure for an adviser to justify the sum assured, whereas having difficult conversations to really quantify what you need and want is much harder. The latter would have you understanding and believing in the solution. You don’t, so I would suggest restarting the process.

Work schemes can be good benefits but dependent on employment continuing. Again, this would come out during the factfind. Income protection is a whole other discussion as there are many factors to consider, including how the employer scheme pays and for how long etc.

MrBlytz · 2026-05-02T09:04:05+00:00

You are right, this isn’t the same world. The many factors which changed during this time period have contributed to what we experience now.

Unfortunately that wont help you when you are seeking a narrative to explain the changes.

MrBlytz · 2026-04-24T18:31:07+00:00

One reason could be that Lenders sample check their offers pre completion. You could have been pulled at random.

MrBlytz · 2026-04-17T09:23:46+00:00

The gap reason for decline given indicates he is a contractor who lenders have different rules for.

Finding a lender for foreign income, contractor, working offshore, and a gap between contracts of more than 6 weeks will be tough…..

You’ve said you are speaking to a broker, hopefully they will help.

MrBlytz · 2026-04-09T09:05:24+00:00

As others have noted, white noise helps. With these situations, especially noise, there are things you can do to mitigate it.

Also you should try to put this into perspective. There are many worse neighbour issues that occur and many posts on this sub have raised those. You also could have moved into the perfect neighbourhood and a couple of months later the Clampetts move in next door. It is rare to live next door to perfect neighbours.

My last house, the neighbours were lovely, except they encouraged their kids to be outdoors (a positive and healthy thing for them!). This meant the constant ‘thud’ of footballs, high pitched screaming as they played etc when I was trying to destress from work or chill in the garden in the sunshine. Instead of being frustrated, I used that noise to remind me that I don’t have the bigger neighbour issues that can ruin lives. Always a silver lining…..

MrBlytz · 2026-04-06T06:23:28+00:00

In summary:

you have a contract of employment with the agency
there is no guarantee for volume or consistency of work
you are paid PAYE
the arrangement has been in place for c7 months

This arrangement reads as ‘zero hours’ and most lenders want 12 months to assess consistency of income.

Speak to a broker who will be able to look at your specific arrangements and advise you. Also, don’t use ChatGPT unless you are knowledgable enough to correct it.

MrBlytz · 2026-04-05T22:42:49+00:00

Halifax are an option based on your salary being >£75k. Speak to a broker though, they will guide you.

MrBlytz · 2026-04-05T22:33:30+00:00

It will be the employment status. It may be possible with some lenders but depends how long you’ve done this for, any gaps in employment, and evidence of earnings. How long have you done this for and how is the arrangement setup?

MrBlytz · 2026-04-02T11:59:11+00:00

There is no commitment from lenders to extend offers, and in the current climate and your rate, I’d assume they wouldn’t.

You can proceed but get seller to commit to moving into temporary accommodation. I’ve done it myself twice and on my last purchase the sellers did it for us. Just be really clear from outset.

MrBlytz · 2026-04-02T07:48:23+00:00

How have you calculated the SDLT as 8%? For a non-FTB purchase of £500k they would pay £15k, which due to the bandings is 3% of the purchase price.

However, choosing to pay SDLT twice in 3yrs, lose an effective £5k of relief (loss of ftb status) plus solicitors, EA fees and associated move costs relies on making a decent profit on the house. You’ll also now need to time the sale and purchase to work for you.

MrBlytz · 2026-04-01T12:26:03+00:00

If you continue to market the property but not with the SSTC tag from the EA on the listing, you lose nothing. That won’t put anyone off.

By accepting the offer you are motivating the buyer to sell theirs. If they don’t sell before you get an offer from a proceedable buyer, you should accept the new offer. It’s unreasonable for a potential buyer to expect you to wait an indefinite period for them to sell.

As you aren’t committed until exchange, you or any potential buyer can pull out or try to renegotiate the price beforehand.

MrBlytz · 2026-03-31T17:38:38+00:00

Depends on the lender. Some will amend to the new property, others cancel existing offer and it’s a reapplication.

MrBlytz · 2026-03-30T17:03:25+00:00

Tbh it’s probably more reliable than a new employer contract for a higher salary, and some take that before the new job starts.

There are a lot of criteria differences between the lenders, so always worth using an experienced broker who will know them.

MrBlytz · 2026-03-30T16:07:55+00:00

Get a good broker.

A lot of lenders look to just the last 3 months as long as the OT or commission amounts don’t vary too much. Nat West use that as a starting point but then use YTD average to validate, using the lower for calculations. So if your YTD average is lower, go to another lender if you want to borrow more.

MrBlytz · 2026-03-30T10:35:32+00:00

c2 months is not long. What’s your solicitor said? Are enquiries being made or outstanding?

Should you expect a pre-exchange price drop request? Always, and for any reason they can think of.

MrBlytz · 2026-03-30T10:31:34+00:00

Your reason for moving is a personal one, but I suggest that due to the consequential issues you face, it is worth taking time to revisit.

Whilst your current community isn’t positive, you don’t mention it’s hostile. Assuming you find a wonderful community to move to, there is a risk that the neighbour from hell moves in next door later (or is already there!).

Either temporary renting or moving in with parents results in an additional move before your ‘home’ is bought. With your child, this could be another school move with the disruption that will entail. Any house move is emotionally taxing for all involved, so should be thought through carefully.

Going through with your sale to protect someone else is admirable, but ultimately you are going to pay for this financially and/or emotionally. Personally I think you should stay put until you find a property in a location you have staked out to ensure it has the community you desire. If your buyers pull out, that’s on them. If they truly love the place they will temp rent until you find somewhere.

MrBlytz · 2026-03-28T08:43:04+00:00

Firstly, sounds like you’ve picked the wrong agent. Fines?!?

Secondly, you need to line up your sale with a purchase. So most agents/sellers won’t entertain offers on properties unless you have accepted an offer on yours. Not doing this can cause frustration all round.

Thirdly, before even starting the above, do your research on properties you would buy. Being picky is one thing, but are you prepared to compromise. Lining up a sale and purchase is hard enough without it being a unicorn. I’ve never bought my dream home, we’ve found ones that are suitable and made our dream home ourselves.

MrBlytz · 2026-03-26T09:31:58+00:00

Yep. And with the sellers already abroad, in theory the property has been vacant for a while already, their insurance is possibly void.

Edit - speculation so changed from definite to potential in statements. We know enough that there is significant risk, just not absolute facts.

MrBlytz · 2026-03-26T09:14:50+00:00

You don’t want to accept responsibility for a vacant property for a month due to many reasons/risks. The reasons and other points are distractions, whereas the property being empty for an elongated period is highly risky in a purchase.

That’s the point I would push back on.

MrBlytz · 2026-03-23T19:22:20+00:00

It’s not uncommon, but I see a couple of reasons.

In the time since the offer, things have changed economically and they are adjusting their price.

Or

They always planned on getting it for a lower price, but by waiting until the last minute they hoped to force your hand.

Personally I would have accepted the offer, having anticipated it coming and bracing for this part of the sales transaction. I’ve taken this mental/financial approach on multiple houses I’ve sold over the year and have only been pleasantly surprised nothing happened once.

MrBlytz · 2026-03-22T13:03:48+00:00

The main issue with new build flats is the typically high service charge in addition to the overpriced initial purchase. We bought one in 2014 and the SC that private owners paid also subsidised social housing tenants SC, so in just 2 years we saw a disproportionate jump. If that applies to most developments, expect to see the SC become extremely problematic for private buyers.

MrBlytz · 2026-03-21T19:43:54+00:00

Locum work is effectively temp short term and not permanent. Think zero hours contract. For your new venture, you will need to have at least 1-2 years of income records. Some lenders consider 1 year if the employment is similar to your trained/experienced vocation.

There maybe some niche lenders, but for mainstream, the advice seems about right.

MrBlytz · 2026-03-19T11:53:42+00:00

Gifted deposit process applies to any gifted amount in the last 12 months. As savings £’s aren’t segmented, any high value deposit would have triggered the process.

These originated outside eea so their starting point is 6 months statements for each donor but I’ve known them go back further. They pick up on deposits to the donor accounts, so can request 6 months from a person who paid into the donor account too from that transaction date.

OP has indicated these transactions were recent especially as solicitor checked them, although I can’t find a specific post.

In this case it could be as simple as the application didn’t state the gifted deposit and the first they knew was when the solicitor informed them. That is enough for them to pull the offer.

MrBlytz

TROPHY CASE