The different offers two mortgage brokers can get

Hi

This recently came up when a friend of mine applied for a mortgage. One broker told him he would get approximately €250,000 where another told him they could get him €280,000. The second broker had said that if the 1st one had gone to the bank they (the 2nd one) could not get a higher offer than the offer previously made but were confident they could get €280,000.
When queried why the difference they said it was to do with the manner in which the case was presented. Can anyone out there explain the reasons why, and which is the best way to have a case presented.

Thanks

No quick answer to this one. But a good broker will know from experience what information a particular lender is looking for, and will make sure they highlight this information to the lender.

Here's one example - self-employed client. Spent a lot of money on once-off items in a recent trading year, so net profit is down for that year. Broker A might simply get two years audited accounts (minimum requirement) and send them in with no further information. Lender will take an average of the two net profit figures and make an offer.

Broker B might ask the client for four years accounts, because the average of four years net profit will be higher. Broker B might also point out to the lender the fact that the low year's net profit was due to expenditure on the business and not worsening trading conditions, and document same. Lender might then take a higher average net profit figure into account and offer more.

Same client, different figures due to presentation of information.

P.S. - For those not already aware from previous posts, I am a broker.

Also not all brokers deal with the same/all lenders. Different lending criteria may apply with different lenders.