The Mortgage Store

A good mortgage broker acts as a guide for people looking to take out a mortgage with a lender. We help you from the very start, from the initial inquiry regarding affordability and what you can borrow. Then we help you through the application process, liaising with the lender and acting on your behalf, until you get the keys. We aim to make this process as stress-free and pain-free as possible, as buying a property can be quite stressful.

When you go to your local high street lender or bank, they will typically only offer you one suite of products and one set of criteria. As brokers, we have a comprehensive list of lenders to look at and, based on our initial discussion, we know before we approach them whether you will pass their criteria.

This means we are getting it right the first time for you, avoiding the stressful situation where you apply with your bank and are declined. We take the hassle out of searching yourself.

As brokers, we also work with dedicated teams at each bank that know us and know we do our homework, which helps ensure the application passes first time, avoiding declines, and ultimately getting you the keys quicker.

As well as finding the right mortgage for you, we can get you an Agreement in Principle using a soft credit search, which does not impact your credit score. You can then use this to show an estate agent.

Once an offer is accepted, we monitor your application, and if a better deal comes along even after the offer stage, we can do a rate switch. We help by liaising with your solicitors and estate agent, providing updates on the lender and valuation, taking that out of your to-do list for the day. We can also assist with selecting solicitors who are guaranteed to be on the lender’s panel, which can prevent extra costs.

Furthermore, we can help with insurance options such as buildings insurance (a condition for freehold mortgages), contents insurance, and mortgage protection, which includes income protection and critical illness cover to keep you financially solid if you are unable to work.

Lastly, we can get quotes for independent surveys so you can ensure the property is structurally sound, as the lender’s valuation is very basic and you typically do not see it. We aim to be as holistic as possible, helping you with everything you need along the way.

• For Property Purchases: You should see a mortgage broker a good three to six months before you are planning to buy a property. Especially for first-time buyers, it’s best to come before you start viewing properties to get an assessment on what you can borrow, as the range can be broad. Crucially, we want to get you a soft search Agreement in Principle early on. This check ensures your credit record is sound. If any issues are flagged (like an unnoticed default or a lack of credit footprint), this advance notice gives you time to address them, so you are ready to proceed with a formal application when you find the property you want.
• For Remortgages: We recommend looking across the market six months before your renewal date. This is because new lenders typically open their window six months beforehand, while your existing lender is usually three months. By applying early with an open market lender, you secure a rate, and if rates increase closer to renewal, you have a secured deal. If rates decrease, you can simply close that original application and apply for a better deal closer to the renewal date.

The Mortgage Store (TMS) Bath is a new venture and the first branch in the South West area, which is an exciting time for the brand and the new team. The branch started at the beginning of the year (January 2026).

I have been a mortgage adviser for the last ten years and have lived in Bath for twenty years. I will be helping people nationwide, but face-to-face assistance will be focused on the Bath area and its surroundings. I know the area well, including the different types of properties, such as graded properties or prefabs, which helps with the advice we can provide.

No, it does not cost for an initial consultation. We believe you should not pay for a service until you have the final product. We will give you advice for free, and our goal is to put you in a position to get a mortgage offer. We only ask for a payment for our services once you have secured a bona fide, valid mortgage offer from a lender. Our services are free up until that point.

Please use our services – initial advice is free. There are no bad or silly questions when it comes to mortgages. If you are even just thinking about applying at some point in the future, pick up the phone and give us a call. We will help you. Even if you are not ready to proceed right now, we want to give you the best advice so that in the future, you can confidently say, “I’m good to go, and I can now start that process.”