Being prepared with the right paperwork
Documents You’ll Need
Finding a mortgage can be overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling property searches, solicitors and other buyers.
A mortgage broker in London gives you access to lenders right across the market, so you can get a great deal without the stress of approaching banks individually. London's property market moves fast, so having an expert in your corner really does make all the difference.






Alexander Southwell Mortgage Services Ltd offer a comprehensive range of mortgage products from across the market. We offer both first and second charge mortgages, but not deals that you can only obtain by going direct to a lender.
We also take care of all the administration for mortgages and life cover applications, as well as liaising with London estate agents, mortgage lenders and solicitors to make sure the whole process is as smooth and stress-free for you as possible.

Low-Cost Specialist Advice: Fee-free options available for clean credit and £100k+ loans.
Typically fee-free for standard residential mortgages, our commission is paid by the lender on completion. Fees may apply for complex or specialist cases, always disclosed upfront in writing.
Based in Romsey, Hampshire, with full remote coverage across London and the wider UK via phone and video appointments.
First time buyers, home movers, remortgages, buy to let (including portfolio landlords).
Speak to a qualified adviser today. We offer flexible appointments including evenings and weekends.
Our London mortgage advisers have over 20 years of experience in residential and buy to let lending. We offer whole-of-market access to high-street banks, building societies and specialist lenders, supporting first time buyers, home movers, remortgages, buy to let investors and clients with complex incomes across areas including Canary Wharf, Clapham, Hackney, Islington, Brixton, Greenwich, Shoreditch and beyond. We also advise on life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection to help safeguard your London property purchase.

From your initial consultation to when your mortgage completes we manage the whole process for you. We coordinate with estate agents and solicitors where necessary to keep everyone moving towards your completion date.
A free, no obligation phone or video call to discuss your goals, deposit, income, credit history and the area of London you are looking to buy in. This gives us everything we need to start looking at your options.
Your adviser will compare mortgage products across suitable lenders and prepare a tailored recommendation. You’ll receive an Illustration (ESIS) showing the interest rate, fees and total cost over the mortgage term so you can make an informed decision.
We can often get a Decision in Principle the same day or within 24 hours. This is essential when making offers in competitive London areas like Clapham, Hackney or Richmond, where good properties can attract multiple buyers within days.
We'll handle the paperwork, submit your documents to the lender, liaise on your behalf and arrange the valuation or survey. You won't need to chase anything, we do that for you.
We’ll track your case through underwriting, chase solicitors and other parties if needed and keep you updated through to exchange and completion. Once you’ve got your keys we’ll diarise a review before any fixed rate ends so you’re never left on an expensive standard variable rate.
Being prepared with the right paperwork
Documents You’ll Need
London is the UK's most diverse and dynamic property market, offering everything from Zone 1 city flats to leafy suburban family homes. Understanding the local landscape helps us give you tailored mortgage advice wherever you are buying in the capital.
From new build apartments across zones 2 to 4 to up and coming areas in East and South London, there are real opportunities for first time buyers and investors who are willing to look a little beyond Zone 1.
Average house prices in London vary enormously, from around £400,000 in many outer boroughs to well over £1 million in prime central areas. A good broker helps you focus your search where your budget will work hardest.
Demand comes from professionals, young couples, international buyers and investors, with strong rental yields found in areas like Stratford, Barking, Lewisham and Walthamstow.
London's exceptional transport links via the Tube, Overground, the Elizabeth line and national rail make almost every borough accessible and highly appealing to both buyers and tenants.

Buying your first home in London is a big and exciting step, and we genuinely love helping people get onto the property ladder for the first time. We know the London market can feel overwhelming, especially with higher property prices than most of the UK. So we take the hard work off your plate completely. We will figure out exactly how much you can borrow, find you the best interest rates available, explain what deposit you need and walk you through all the costs involved. We also make sure you know about every government scheme that could help you, including shared ownership schemes which are particularly popular across London. No broker fees. No jargon. Just straightforward, friendly mortgage advice from people who genuinely care.
Most London homeowners remortgage when their current deal comes to an end, usually to get a better interest rate and bring their monthly payments down. Given the size of London mortgages, even a small rate improvement can save you a significant amount each year. You might also want to raise capital for home improvements, consolidate some debts or release equity to help a family member with a deposit. It is also common for homeowners who want to use equity towards a buy to let property. Whatever your reason, we search the whole market and handle the full application for you, making the switch as smooth and stress free as possible. And it won't cost you a penny in broker fees.
Whether you are buying your first investment property in London, looking to let your current home and move onwards, or you are an experienced landlord growing your portfolio, we can find you the right deal. Buy to let mortgages in London often involve larger loan amounts and can be more complex than a standard residential mortgage. Our advisers know this market inside out. We search thousands of products and advise on both personal buy to let and limited company structures, which many London landlords use for tax efficiency. If you have multiple properties, we work with portfolio landlords too. All at no cost to you.
New build homes in London are a great choice for first time buyers, people upsizing or downsizing, and investors looking for a low maintenance property with strong energy efficiency ratings. There are real benefits to buying new: you get a blank canvas to make your own, there is no chain involved, and most new builds come with a 10 year warranty for peace of mind. New build mortgages do have their own considerations though. Lenders can ask for a bigger deposit, exchange deadlines can come around quickly, and making sure your mortgage offer lines up with your build completion takes careful planning. This is especially true in London where large development sites like those in Battersea, Greenwich and Nine Elms have specific completion timelines. As your broker, we have access to specialist new build lenders and will manage the whole process from your reservation right through to getting your keys.
Speak to one of our mortgage advisers today. We'll calculate your affordability, explain your options, and help you move forward with confidence.
Search for mortgage advice in London and you'll find hundreds of options: banks, online brokers, and independent firms like us, a fee free mortgage broker in London working across the whole market. They're not all the same, and picking the wrong type can cost you real money, whether you're a first time buyer or remortgaging. Here's what matters.
Some brokers are tied to a single lender, and multi tied brokers can only recommend products from a small panel of lenders. Whole of market brokers compare deals from high street banks, building societies and specialist lenders alike. We're whole of market, so the mortgage deal we recommend is chosen from virtually the entire market, not from whoever pays the best commission.
Your own bank can only ever offer its own products, and it has no duty to tell you a cheaper deal exists elsewhere. Independent, whole of market advice gives you a much better idea of what you could save. Read our guide to going direct vs using a broker for the full picture. On a typical London mortgage, the difference between two lenders' rates can add up to thousands of pounds a year.
A fair question we hear a lot. Like most brokers, we receive commission from the lender when your mortgage completes. The difference is that many firms charge you a broker fee on top, often £300 to £800. We don't. The commission doesn't affect your rate, and because we're regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, our recommendation must always be the most suitable mortgage for your circumstances.
A free online mortgage broker such as Mojo Mortgages can work well for simple cases. Where customers tend to come to us instead is when things need a human: complex income, a tight chain, a flat with a short lease, or simply wanting the same mortgage advisor from first call to completion. You get one dedicated advisor, not a call centre queue.
In our view: whole of market access, no broker fees, plain English answers to your questions, and someone who responds fast when an estate agent needs proof you can proceed. Read a firm's reviews, check they're regulated, and ask how many lenders they can actually recommend. If the answer is one panel, keep looking.
Ask any advisor these before you commit: Are you whole of market or tied? Will I pay a fee? Who handles my application day to day? How fast can you get me an Agreement in Principle? We're happy to answer all of them on a free initial consultation, with no obligation to go ahead.
Want a recommendation you can trust? Speak to our team on 03300 432 428.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
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Yes. Alexander Southwell Mortgage Services provides whole of market mortgage advice to buyers across London and the wider commuter belt. Our advice is 100% free for standard residential mortgages. We are paid a commission by the lender when your mortgage completes.
Most lenders require a minimum 5% deposit. London's average house price exceeds £500,000, meaning a 5% deposit alone requires at least £25,000. A 10 to 25% deposit is strongly advisable for London buyers to access the most competitive rates, the widest lender choice, and the best chance of a straightforward application.
Yes. Many lenders are happy to lend to self-employed applicants in London, provided you can supply two years of accounts or SA302 tax calculations. Some specialist lenders accept one year of trading. We work with lenders experienced in handling the complex income structures common in London, including contractors, directors, and those with variable earnings.
An Agreement in Principle (also called a Decision in Principle or Mortgage in Principle) is a written confirmation from a lender of how much they are prepared to lend. Most London estate agents will insist on seeing one before accepting an offer, particularly in fast-moving markets. We can arrange yours within 24 hours.