Mortgage Advice

What is it?

We provide Independent and Whole-of-Market Mortgage Advice and are sometimes call “Mortgage Brokers”. This means that we have no ties to any banks or lenders out there and we work for our clients best interests only – our advice is impartial and unbiased. As we’re Independent Financial Advisers, we can also help with wider financial questions than just a mortgage broker could.

How we do it

When we meet for the first time, we will explain to you our Four Stage Mortgage Advice Process.  We take all of our Mortgage Clients through every step of this journey because providing you with a consistently high standard of advice and service is of paramount importance to us.

Stage 1 – Initial Consultation

This stage allows us both to get to know each other and ensure we’re a good fit for working together. Unless stated otherwise, this is normally done at our own expense. We invest the time here to listen and understand your current financial position and circumstances, and conduct Whole of Market research (see below) and advise of your mortgage options. We would provide you with a fixed Broker Advice Fee if we agree to work together and move forward to the next stage. During Stage 1, we have three layers to our mortgage research:

  • Lender Criteria search to ensure your circumstances and the property you’re buying/remortgaging meets the lender’s criteria
  • Lender Affordability check to ensure the lender can lend you the amount you need
  • Mortgage product search (whole-of-market) to ensure you’re getting the most competitive and suitable mortgage product

This is the first milestone and lays and solid foundation for you to proceed onto buying your property or remortgaging. Once we’ve recommended a suitable lender to proceed with based on our research, the lender would carry out some basic credit checks and “affordability checks” to see how much they could lend you in theory.

We’d progress your case onto a Full Mortgage Application once your property offer has been accepted or as soon as possible for remortgages. This involves submitting supporting documents, such as payslips and bank statements, for the lender’s underwriter to review. Separately the lender would also request a surveyor to value the property to ensure the property is worth the price agreed and is suitable security for the mortgage. If all goes well, then a formal Mortgage Offer is issued and you’ll be in the home straight.

Your solicitors (known as “conveyancers”) would be working behind the scenes to complete the necessary legal process. Once a Completion Date has been set, your purchase/remortgage would be completed. Thereafter, typically between 3 to 6 months before your mortgage deal comes to an end, we’d be in touch to review your existing lender’s product range and compare this against the whole market to ensure your next deal would be just as competitive to save you money.

Who we work with

  • First Time Buyers (including Shared Ownership or Shared Equity schemes)
  • Home movers (such as those upgrading their homes, and those wishing to buy a second property)
  • Landlords (investment properties, Buy-to-Lets, HMOs)
  • Remortgages (with and without capital raising)
  • Self-employed individuals and business owners
  • Contractors
  • Limited Company mortgages
  • Expats
  • Foreign Nationals (with and without Indefinite Leave to Remain in UK)
  • Chinese & Hong Kong nationals – we speak fluent English, Mandarin, and Cantonese

By working with us you will:

  • Save money, time and hassle;
  • Have peace of mind;
  • Have greater certainty and confidence of your maximum budget and affordability;
  • Have a professional who will advise and guide you through the often stressful mortgage and house buying process. We would often liaise with the estate agent and solicitors when needed to take the burden off your shoulders;
  • Benefit from regulated, professional and independent and whole-of-market mortgage advice.

IFS Wealth & Pensions is both Independent Financial Advisers & Chartered Financial Planners (external link), awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute, which is often regarded the gold standard in the profession.  Less than 5% of advice firms are Chartered so you can be sure that the advice we provide is of the highest standards. We take no shortcuts in our work.

IFS Wealth & Pensions Ltd
IFS Wealth & Pensions Ltd
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  • I cannot recommend IFS enough for the amazing service they provided when renewing my mortgage. Ricky was my point of contact and provided a very friendly and seamless service. Within a matter of a few days I had my mortgage renewed and completed. He provided informative and very easy... read more to understand terminology when asked, making the experience super stress free. Would highly recommend to anyone and will be a company I will use in the future again!

    Simon Phung Avatar Simon P.
    26th August 2021

  • I bought my first property a couple of years ago and I could not have done it without the amazing help I got from Mr Ricky Chan at IFS. Buying any property can be stressful but Ricky explained every step, gave useful advice, was extremely responsive over phone and email.... read more I could not recommend this company more for their professionalism, vested interest to tailor to your needs and being an absolute pleasure to work with. I was so impressed that they contacted me ahead of my mortgage renewal recently to advise on the steps ahead and even did the research beforehand to make sure the process was as smooth as could be. Customer care is next to done and I look forward to receiving my Christmas Card each year. Thank you so much for the exceptional work you do!

    Cheryl Phan Avatar Cheryl P.
    26th August 2021

  • Alan Chan has supported and directed my personal investment plan since 2012. I have been extremely pleased with the way he has listened to and supported the direction in which I wish to invest my investments. Alan regularly updates me, both through the platform information but also by his noticing... read more and redirecting ( in consultation with me ) my funds to ethical investments with steady growth. Alan has the appropriate, strong, academic qualifications to underpin his professional advice. He is also knowledgeable, personable and easy to approach. I have already recommended him to others who have been grateful for his approach and acumen. Janice Walsh

    Janice Walsh Avatar Janice W.
    2nd September 2020

  • Super detailed, responsive and clear communicators. We were first time buyers and so needed a lot of things explained to us. Ricky was very patient with us and friendly. We got a great mortgage. Highly recommended!

    James Rattee Avatar James R.
    25th October 2025

  • Buying a property is a big decision, thus my partner and I had endless questions. We are very grateful that Alan is an extremely informative and patient mortgage advisor, who carefully guided us through our queries step-by-step. He is detailed orientated and up-to-date with new industry legislations, which massively helped... read more us get through the whole buying process swiftly and smoothly. We would definitely recommend his services to others! THANK YOU!

    Helen S Avatar Helen S.
    26th August 2021

  • Alan has been so helpful with our mortgage offer, taking us through the process and explaining everything clearly. We really valued his independent and honest advice and would highly recommend to any prospective buyers, particularly if you're a FTB like us.

    Andrew Wright Avatar Andrew W.
    16th December 2025