Buying a new home is a big financial commitment. And knowing which financial services providers are best to help you with the purchase can be overwhelming.
In this article we explain why researching online reviews from other customers will help when you’re choosing financial products for a property purchase.
Why are online reviews important?
Marketing campaigns are designed to attract attention and give a positive impression of financial services companies. But it’s consumer reviews that provide deeper insights into what it’s really like to be their customer.
Online reviews create a level playing field for financial services companies and broaden your options. Not all companies have the large marketing budgets of the big banks so you may not have come across them before. But reading online reviews connects you to the right financial services provider, regardless of their size.
When you’re buying a home, it’s important to choose the financial services companies you trust will be best for your circumstances. At Smart Money People, our reviews help people weigh up the pros and cons of different providers so they can make balanced buying decisions.
What should you research when you’re buying a home?
There are different financial services you’re likely to use through the process of buying a home. It’s a good idea to read more about the experience of other customers to help you make your buying decisions. Reviews to search for and read include:
- Savings
When you’re saving for a deposit, moving costs or furniture, choosing the best savings account can make a big impact on the interest you earn. But finding the right account type is only one aspect of the search, you also need to find the right provider. Reading customer reviews helps you understand the experience of other customers helping you make an informed decision.
- Mortgage broker
Searching through all available mortgage lenders and products is time-consuming which is why many people opt to work with a broker.
Finding a good broker makes it easier and usually faster to find a mortgage. Some brokers can search the whole mortgage market to find all your available options. Brokers also guide you through the application process from start to finish and are on-hand to answer questions along the way.
Just like with any other financial services provider, reading about other peoples’ experiences of brokers will give you a balanced view of the service you’re likely to receive.
- Mortgage
In the UK, you can choose between two different mortgage types. One is a fixed interest rate and the other is a variable interest rate. Although there are only these two main mortgage types, there are many lenders and products with lots of different interest rates which can make it hard to decide what’s right for you.
Choosing the lender that has the best rate is important. But you should also research their fees, flexibility and commitment to customer service. Reading customer reviews will help you form a well-rounded view of each lender, making your decision easier.
One reviewer told us:
“Reading reviews allowed me to find out what other consumers had experienced using the company that I was considering. Customer service is just as important as good pricing and products, so having access to reviews meant that I could make an informed choice.”
Why homebuyers choose Smart Money People reviews
At Smart Money People, we’re the UK’s most comprehensive financial services review site, helping people just like you to feel informed before they buy a financial product.
Our reviews give people reassurance and complements their wider research on products and providers.
For some people, price is the most important aspect of choosing a new mortgage. But for others, customer service could be the deciding factor. That’s why our reviews cover a range of areas so you can research what’s important to you.
Making decisions about a mortgage is complex enough without worrying about which interest rate or lender to choose. Reading previous experiences, whether good or bad, gives peace of mind that you’re making a smart decision.
Another reviewer told us:
“It was really good to read honest reviews from real people. I will never get another financial product without looking here first.”
You can read or leave reviews with Smart Money People at any time, simply head to our website to get started.