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An independent mortgage adviser - also known as a broker - can help you find the mortgage most suited to your finances. But how do you find the right one?  

Why use a mortgage broker?

Thanks to the internet, we can compare mortgages online. 

We're also bombarded by adverts from different high street banks offering mortgages. It may seem strange to pay an extra fee to go to a mortgage broker - also known as a mortgage adviser - for help.

But a qualified mortgage adviser can help you find a mortgage with low rates that suits your finances and guide you through the paperwork. Here's how one family saved money this way.

At a time when lenders are tightening their rules, a good mortgage adviser can also help you jump through the hoops and in some cases find mortgages for you that you cannot apply for directly. Since April 2014, lenders and brokers must offer you advice if you go to them for a mortgage.

Finding a mortgage broker: Dos &Don’ts

DO

• Choose an independent, whole of market mortgage broker: This means they have access to the widest possible range of mortgage deals. You can search for advisers on Unbiased here.
• Ask how they are paid: Some firms will charge you up front. Others will receive commission from the lender. Your adviser should tell you the full cost straightaway. The Money Advice Service has more guidance about mortgage broker fees.
• Check your mortgage adviser is properly qualified: They should be on the Financial Services Register - you can search here.
• Keep comparing: You may still be able to bag a cheaper deal by going straight to a lender, especially if you already have a bank account with them. We've got tips on comparing rates here. You can check out some of the lowest rates around here, and the best deals for a 10% deposit and a 5% deposit here.

DON’T

• Let an estate agent bully you into using their adviser: There’s a particularly dirty trick where you will be told you need to use the in-house broker, or the price will go up. This is against the law, as point 7c of the Code of Practice for Residential Estate Agents makes clear.
• Take up with the first adviser you see: You can compare advisers using a directory like Unbiased.co.uk, Vouched For or Findanadviser.org. Be aware that larger firms will have more resources and often more ability to influence a lender’s decision.
• Be tempted by ‘advisers’ offering self-cert: There are some rogue websites promising schemes too good to be true, like self-cert mortgages (common before the financial crisis). You can find out quickly if the adviser's a fraud by searching for them on the Financial Services Register. If you are self-employed, check out our guide here.
• Get taken in by the sales patter: Mortgage advisers will often try to sell you other products, like insurance. This can be a good plan - if you’re the sole breadwinner you don’t want to leave your family in the lurch should disaster strike. But make sure you compare rates. You can do this on a comparison website like Confused.com, Comparethemarket.com, MoneySupermarket and Uswitch.com.

Looking for a really low mortgage rate?

Check out the secrets to lower mortgage rates, and some of the steps you can take to get there. A mortgage calculator can help you check deals too.
There's also some good news for first-time buyers - there's a lot more deals than before.
If you want to find a good mortgage deal without too much stress, check out these useful mortgage-hunting tools as well.