VA Mortgages

VA Mortgages, independent mortgage advice in the UK

VA Mortgages is a mortgage advice firm operating as a whole-of-market independent broker, meaning it is not tied to specific lenders and can search for the mortgage that best fits each situation. The company presents itself as a specialist exclusively in mortgages and associated products such as life insurance, income protection and home insurance.

Its activity is aimed at UK clients, the scope to which the information on its website is directed in accordance with the British regulatory regime. The firm notes that a large part of its business comes from existing clients and referrals from them.

Products and client profiles served

VA Mortgages' service catalogue covers various mortgage needs:

• First-time buyer: support for those buying their first home, with a step-by-step guide for first-time buyers.
• Remortgaging: replacing the current mortgage when the fixed term is nearing its end or the existing loan no longer fits.
• Moving home: financing for those relocating.
• Buy-to-let: mortgages for rental, both for those buying their first investment property and for portfolios with several.
• Equity release: products to unlock tax-free cash from the home, aimed at supporting retirement. VA Mortgages is not authorised to advise directly on these products and refers clients to a trusted external adviser.
• Commercial mortgages: for owner-occupied and investment properties.

The firm states that it has served very diverse profiles: first-time buyers, owners of multiple rental properties, commercial properties, self-employed, contractors and people with a poor credit history.

Advice approach

VA Mortgages emphasises that its independent position allows it to compare the market and clearly explain aspects such as the level of deposit needed for an optimal loan according to loan-to-value, or the differences between fixed-rate and variable-rate mortgages and between interest-only and repayment options. The company states that its aim is to provide advice without a client fee wherever possible; where circumstances require a fee, this is disclosed in advance so the client can make an informed decision.

Guides and resources for clients

VA Mortgages' website publishes informative materials on various situations: a step-by-step guide for first-time buyers, a guide on contractor mortgages, an article on how parents can help their children get onto the property ladder, a reflection on whether it is worth overpaying the mortgage, a guide on mortgages for the over-50s and a text on what can affect a mortgage application and how to improve the chances of approval.

Team

Mark Stanton, director, is a founding member of VA Mortgages, a firm that began providing mortgage advice in 2000. Stanton has 25 years of activity in the mortgage market and holds qualifications from the Chartered Insurance Institute, including the Certificate in Advanced Mortgage Advice (R07), Financial Services Regulation & Ethics (R01), Certificate in Equity Release (Level 3), Home Reversion Plans (HR1), The Mortgage Advice Qualification (MAQ), Full Financial Planning Certificate (FPC), CertPFS and CertSMP.

Structure and regulation

VA Mortgages is the trading name of VA Mortgage Advice Services Limited, an appointed representative of The Right Mortgage Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with number 681800 in the financial services register. The company is registered in England and Wales with number 09380622. Some products, such as certain types of buy-to-let and commercial mortgages, are not regulated by the FCA.

Location and contact

Church Close, Church End, Hilton, PE28 9NJ