In today's episode, I'm going to be talking about the mortgage interview itself and discussing with you the sorts of questions you can expect to be asked and also talk to you about the kind of preparation you can do before your appointment with your mortgage adviser. This might just help you feel slightly more prepared which will hopefully help you enjoy the process a whole lot more because, it is exciting, it's a new chapter and it's definitely easier to enjoy something when you're not worried about it and you go into it confidently.

Making a mortgage application can be quite daunting for some people especially if those people are first time buyers.

I remember going through the process for the first time myself and I remember feeling very anxious, concerned, worried, and unprepared and none of that was a very nice feeling. To be honest moving and going through the process a second time was also not that nice as I felt like I had more at stake because a sale and a purchase was involved. Also, the property was one I had longed to live in for a very long time.

So I thought what I would do in today's episode is break down what it is that you would be experiencing when you go and meet with a mortgage advisor.

Personally before I go meet with a client I will have a brief phone conversation with them.  This conversation really serves two purposes.  Firstly I can find out a little bit about them and what it is that they would like help with and secondly they can get to know me a little bit which I think helps a lot. Getting a mortgage, especially when getting one for a home is an incredibly personal experience and it helps me if clients are open with me about themselves - that way they get the very best outcomes.

Usually, on this first telephone conversation, I find out about the clients, about their goals, and based on that conversation if it is suitable, I will then arrange to meet them face-to-face.

It's usually that point that I give my potential new clients what I like to call a shopping. That is basically just a list of documents that will be necessary for the mortgage application and these typically include all the usual suspects;  three months’ payslips, three months bank statements, driving license, passport proof of deposit etc.

I ask the clients to have these ready for the appointment because it helps me determine what kind of mortgage it is that we would be proceeding with. Not only that but by getting these documents together at this early stage it's easier to spot missing pieces in the puzzle or spot areas which may need to be fleshed out slightly - sometimes, for example, it might be necessary for a client to perhaps update details such as bank statements and payslips so that they all have their current address on

(you would be surprised how many people still have their old address on their payslips thanks to being paperless.)

Now on the actual first face-to-face meeting with the clients. I present them with the various documents and guides that my company requires. I go over these documents with them and explain more about me, the services I provide, the regulator and the company that I work. Then I explain to them more about the process in general and more about the services that I can provide and how we will be providing the assistance in these areas.

Then after that stage, it is really time to start the fact find part of the mortgage interview.

I like to think of this as 50% facts and figures and 50% aims, objectives, wants and wishes.