Selecting the right mortgage or remortgage is not always easy and with literally thousands of different mortgages to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which one is most suitable for you. Choosing between a fixed rate, where your repayments are guaranteed to remain the same for a set period, and a variable rate – perhaps a discount or a tracker – where repayments can go up or down, can be tough.

Buying a new home or remortgaging your existing home are probably the most important financial decisions you will make, so it is important you get the best mortgage deal for your particular situation.

To get a good idea of what is available, many home buyers use the services of an independent professional broker. They are not tied to any one mortgage lender, which means they can search the entire market on your behalf to find you the best mortgage deals.

If your mortgage requirements are not straightforward, for instance if you are self employed or have a damaged credit history they can help as they have access to exclusive products not available directly from the lender and will know which lenders will be sympathetic to your situation. But it is also sensible to use the services of a broker even if your mortgage needs are very simple, the process of arranging finance to purchase your home can be a daunting process and a broker can take a lot of the stress out of the process by guiding you through the mortgage maze.