Testimonials

A couple of weeks before the final settlement date (when the flat would go back to auction) a friend recommended Paul at the Independent Mortgage Store. He’d helped her re-mortgage her flat and said how great he’d been. Paul was amazing from the offset – he was calmly confident that he’d be able to find a lender. And with time running out and against all odds – he did!! We couldn’t believe it when the offer finally came through. But it came with a whopping big retention – the bank were going to hold back £45k until the flat was at ‘mortgageable’ standard. I was heartbroken. There was no way I could find that money to get the repairs done. Even my lawyer gave up at this point and was getting ready to advise me through the bankruptcy process. Once again, Paul came up trumps. He reassured me that £45k retention was hugely cautious and that I’d be able to get it reduced if I could provide quotes for the required work. So I got estimates and had the retention reduced to £15,000 and we were able to settle at last!! Literally, the papers were signed and faxed over with 2 hours until the flat went back to auction. Six months later, the bank released the remaining £15k after we had the required work complete, which meant we were able to relax and enjoy our new home at last. We’ve been in the flat for a year now and it’s looking beautiful. I dread to think where I would be without Paul’s patience, efficiency, sympathy and ingenuity! There really are no words to express my gratitude. Paul – you’re my hero!”

“We were looking to buy our first house together and  thought about using online comparison site’s to search for a suitable mortgage but thought that having the ability to talk to someone face to face, if a problem arose, would suit us better. We were shown different types of mortgages and what deal would probably suit us better, everything was explained to us thoroughly, including any legal jargon!  We were also shown all the different types of insurance policies we would need. The whole process went smoothly and very quickly ,we even got a call from Laura when we were in Majorca to confirm everything had been completed. If you would prefer the face to face approach of looking for a mortgage, we would recommend a visit to Paul and his team. First class service from a first class team.”

“I would like to say a huge thank you to Paul and the team at Independent Mortgage Store. As a first time buyer I knew very little about mortgages, however after meeting with Paul he  arranged all the paperwork for both the mortgage and life assurance and made the whole process hassle free. He also got me a fantastic mortgage rate which is going to save me a small fortune over the next few years. This is my first time using the services of Paul, Laura and his team, however it will not be the last. The first class service I received will ensure I will return in the future. I’ve also been recommending them to all my friends and family. The value for money, the professionalism and friendliness of Paul and Laura is second to none.”

“My fiancé and I moved into a property in Edinburgh this year, a move that was aided in no small part by the service provided by Paul and Laura at the Independent Mortgage Store. The help we received before the purchase helped us understand which mortgages were best for us and also what the market had to offer. We did look at online search tools however found the ability to speak to someone and have an honest opinion of the deals a huge benefit in providing peace of mind that we were making the right decision based on our circumstances. After our offer was accepted we were guided through the process of completing the purchase with staff from the Independent Mortgage Store liaising directly with the lender on our behalf. We really can’t speak highly enough of the service and would recommend the Independent Mortgage Store to anyone, whether they are a first time buyer or experienced property dealer.”

“This was my first experience of buying a property and Iain was really brilliant. He met with me a couple of times and talked me through how much I could borrow and the various options for mortgages. His advice was always really clear and impartial. At our first meeting he clearly explained the way fees were calculated and give me an indication of the different costs associated with buying a property. He give me clear information to take away and when it came to putting in an offer, I knew exactly how much I could afford and roughly how much I should expect to pay each month. Iain was very supportive during the process of choosing a lender and then applying for the mortgage. His advice was always clear and unbiased and he fully explained the pros and cons of all my options. He kept me updated on the progress of the application and was always very approachable. I have no hesitation in recommending the Independent Mortgage Store – they made buying my first property an easy process.”

“Having been a client of Independent Mortgage Store for over ten years, following our previous mortgage review a couple of years ago, Paul highlighted and discussed with us a particular product of “Unemployment Cover” whereby if one of us (joint mortgage) was unfortunately made redundant that this could ensure that the mortgage payment could still be met. What we love about Paul  is that there is no “hard sell” which is why I use the word “highlighted”. From our discussion, it felt prudent to consider this product…the peace of mind to know something so important as the roof over our head would still be in place and bearing this in mind, we opted for this. Did we need?….absolutely. Unfortunately at end of August last year, one of us got made redundant and thankfully we have received £400 per month. This cover will be in place for max 12 months. It scares us to think what we would have done without this cover and not being able to meet the mortgage payment (other than going into debt to do so or having to take on a second job). We cannot thank Paul enough for highlighting the importance of taking out a policy for unemployment cover and can honestly say that the professional, tailored mortgage/financial advice he has always provided us with over the years is from a genuine place where he just wants the best for his clients and to say a huge thanks to him again.”

“I have been a customer of the Independent Mortgage Store for more years than I care to remember. Starting with my ‘first time buyer mortgage back in 2000, Paul and his team took me by the hand and guided me through every step of a process which back then all seemed very daunting and grown up. Over the years, the team have guided me through a number of tricky ‘Buy to Let’ mortgages, allowing me to build up a significant property portfolio. At every step of the way, all of the team were professional, efficient and most importantly value for money. By clearly explaining all my options in jargon free words that even I could understand, I felt confident in making informed choices; choices which have saved me money over the years. With my latest mortgage this year, Paul and the team were invaluable. When solicitors and banks, to whom I was paying thousands of pounds in fees, were dragging their heels, it was the Independent Mortgage Store who fought my corner, driving the whole house buying process through to conclusion. Paul and all the team really went above and beyond the call of duty and without their tenacity, the deal would have undoubtedly fallen through. Don’t hesitate for a minute more – go with the Independent Mortgage Store, it will save you money and sleepless nights.”

“I’ve used the services of the Independent Mortgage Store since 1998. I’ve since bought two more properties and re-mortgaged on numerous occasions. Each time, I’ve been confident that Paul has found me the best available deal. Money advice websites are useful but they are a potential minefield as they don’t always give you the full picture. That’s where Paul’s expertise comes into its own – he knows what’s lurking in the small print. When I last re-mortgaged, I thought I had done well when I found a tracker deal which was 1 per cent over the base rate. Paul trumped that by finding one which was 0.17 per cent over base. That alone has saved me hundreds of pounds every month. Another reason that I have remained a customer for 15 years and counting is that Paul can be trusted – a rare quality in an industry in which there is no shortage of sharks. He also tolerates all my daft questions. I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Paul to friends and family.”

“A huge Thank You to Paul and Laura for your excellent and professional service throughout our mortgage and insurance applications. Your honest, clear and concise advice on the vast array of products on the market was invaluable and resulted in us being able to get the product that best fitted our needs. You exceeded my expectations at every stage, unlike many other companies we have dealt with recently. We would strongly recommend you to anyone looking for any sort mortgage advice. Independent Mortgage Store — money well spent”

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to Paul & Laura for the excellent service you provided. I was extremely impressed with the thoroughness and professional manner you both conducted your business. I will have no hesitation in recommending you to family and friends.”

“Thank you to both Paul & Laura for getting me possibly the best mortgage ever!! Set up 3 years ago with Cheltenham & Gloucester and tracks for the life of the mortgage at 0.17% above bank base rate. Because of your help we have now been able to massively overpay our mortgage every month and reduced the term significantly.”

“As first time London buyers we were somewhat green; Paul and his team at The Independent Mortgage Store were fantastic in guiding us through the process with professional patience. Our (many) questions were handled with urgency and our options were laid before us with perfect clarity, leaving us to concentrate on finding the right property. Overall the advice we received was invaluable; Paul had an enviable understanding of the marketplace. We are hugely grateful for the advice and support we received from all at The Independent Mortgage Store.”

“I have taken up the services of the Independent Mortgage Store now for several years since my first mortgage in around about 2000. The service I have received since then has led me to return time and time again due to the unsurpassed help and support I have been given during this 11 year period. During this time, I have experienced many issues which have been dealt with professionally and to a level which I have been extremely confident with. Yet again this year I have received the help and support through mortgages, and various insurances which have been offered i.e. Accident/unemployment and sickness cover and health insurance and I now will be returning to the Independent Mortgage Store to find Home and Contents Insurance. It certainly has been a pleasure working with this company and have now given the details of this company to my friends and relatives who need an excellent service as I have done. Many thanks for all your help and I look forward to returning to yourselves”

“Thank you to both Paul and Laura for getting us into our very first mortgaged flat together. You were both so helpful and the fact that most of this was done by post and email made the whole process so painless. We will have no hesitation to refer our friends from London to you.”

“I bought my flat in 1999 and arranged my mortgage with the Independent Mortgage Store. Paul gave me great advice and helped me remortgage onto the best rates twice over the following years. By keeping my interest rates low and recommending an offset mortgage which allowed me to make overpayments, I’ve been able to pay my mortgage off in 12 years instead of 25, which is amazing. Although Paul charges a small admin fee I was always happy to pay this, as in the end he has shown me how to pay my mortgage off 13 years early and literally saved me tens of thousands of pounds. Subsequently I take every opportunity to recommend Paul & his staff to friends and family”

“I am so impressed and grateful with the outstanding service I have received from the staff at the Independent Mortgage Store. As a non-British, first time buyer who is not familiar with the UK system, I needed all the help I could get! During my first meeting, the staff expertly explained all the relevant points and the process of securing my first mortgage. At all times, the staff have been so helpful and I always have the utmost confidence that they will act in my best interests. The staff have been persistent and diligent in following up my application and helping navigate the more challenging points pertinent to my situation. As well as providing such an excellent service, the staff at The Independent Mortgage Store have been very helpful and delightful to deal with. They have been very empathic of the stresses experienced by first-time home buyers and providing a personalised service that is very rare these days. I cannot recommend The Independent Mortgage Store highly enough.”

“Having been a client of the Independent Mortgage Store for over ten years (over two property moves), Paul & his team have been absolutely fantastic. The professional and friendly advice has been so helpful each time and they always manage to come up with a deal that is tailored especially. The excellent service they have provided us with relating to the mortgage and more recently along with an invaluable e-mail on recommending unemployment cover, just shows how knowledgeable & on the ball they are in this field. I take every opportunity to recommend Paul & his team to friends and colleagues I work with, because they are simply the best and wouldn’t even think about going to any other mortgage advisor.”

“Within 5 minutes of talking to Paul he had found me a better home contents policy at a third of what I had been paying. I also had been on an interest only mortgage and did not think I would be able to afford a repayment mortgage within my budget. Subsequently I was thrilled when Paul found one that suited my circumstances and budget. I cannot recommend Paul highly enough as he has taken the worry out of maintaining my home.”

“After being told by most other mortgage brokers that there was practically no chance I was able to get a guarantor or student mortgage, Paul assured me it was actually possible. I knew mortgages were hard to get, but being both a student, and needing a non parent as a guarantor, the task was long, and complicated. Needless to say, The Independent Mortgage Store were up to the task and I would definitely recommend them for anyone looking for a mortgage. They are cheaper than the estate agents offering up their ‘free services’, offer a wider variety of the market than the banks, and they work hard for you. Thank you very much for all the help, and I shall be in touch when I get my next house!”

“Like many people, I prefer to ignore my finances, but I was buying a new house and I needed a new mortgage so I made an appointment with Paul to discuss my financial situation. During that first meeting with Paul several years ago, before I had even left the office, he had saved me thousands and thousands of pounds per annum on my outgoing expenses. It was life changing for me!! I have made several visits to Paul since then to adapt my financial circumstances to my changing life. I have recommended Paul to colleagues and to family who have all benefited greatly from his expertise. He recently invited me for a financial review and he managed to save me even more money on a new mortgage. I appreciate Paul’s professional, non-judgmental, friendly manner. However, I am most grateful for his personal integrity and honest advice. Without hesitation, I would highly recommend the services provided by Paul McGowan at Independent Mortgage Store.”

“I know that I have a really difficult mortgage to place, however, thanks to Paul & Laura’s hard work it went through without a hitch. You handled it brilliantly! Many thanks for all the sterling work”

“Thank you very much for all your help with my recent house purchase. As a first time buyer I really needed all the advice you could give and you made the process far less painful than I imagined it would be!”

“I am delighted with the excellent service I received from the Independent Mortgage Store. The advice given was thorough, expert and professional. The mortgage I opted for with the advice of Paul and his staff has proven to be even better than anticipated and I have paid no mortgage payments for the last few months due to the low interest rates. Now that my 2-year tie-in is over, I find myself paying under £300 per month with unlimited overpayment’s on my capital allowed. I really could not have a better mortgage deal for my circumstances and the fact that I have it is down to the expert advice of the Independent Mortgage Store. I have been extremely impressed with the honesty and professional ethics demonstrated by Paul in my dealings with him and am extremely grateful for this. He has consistently given me the right advice even when this has meant no further business for him. Integrity like that is rare and I value it highly.”

“We are delighted with the overall service provided by Paul and his staff at the Independent Mortgage Store, who went the extra mile for us and clearly helped in smoothing the whole stressful process of financing and managing our house move. Specifically, when reviewing the mortgage arrangements on our old property, Paul spotted that we had been sold an inappropriate policy, leading us to pay more than we needed to have done over the first few years of the policy. He advised us to approach the company who had subsumed the original mortgage lender, suggesting the points to raise, which we did. The company then conducted an inquiry on our behalf, concluding that we indeed had a case. More importantly, they agreed to pay us over £3,500 in compensation, which was a huge unexpected bonus, entirely thanks to Paul’s intervention.”

“Over many years the Independent Mortgage Store in Glasgow has consistently managed to find us suitable mortgages. Often these were at times when we believed it would be ‘too difficult’ given the state of the market or the complexity of our own property portfolio. We have always been thoroughly impressed that Paul McGowan and his team have given us a very personal and professional service. Paul, seemingly, can be quite relentless in getting the best deal for his clients. He also keeps them informed at every step of the process. We have complete confidence in the Independent Mortgage Store’s dealings on our behalf for mortgages and insurance. Although we no longer live near Glasgow, we still find their service as efficient and personal as ever. We have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone in the country who wants to get the very best mortgage or insurance advice.”

“Ina and I would like to thank you for all the financial help and advice you have given us over many years. We are pleased to let you know that we are now the sole owners of our ouse and what a great feeling it is. We however couldn’t have done it without your excellent advice and assistance. No more mortgage and no more working…. roll on the fishing season!”

“Yet again an excellent service which has saved us a considerable amount of money. I would not hesitate to recommend Paul and his colleagues to anyone looking for a new mortgage . It makes a huge difference to speak with someone who explains everything clearly and that we have full confidence has obtained us the best deal available every time.”

“Wanted you all to know that we are in the house eventually and couldn’t have done it without all your help. Many thanks again for sorting everything out and we will definitely be referring all our friends and family to you.”