Broker or Myself

Never applied for a mortgage before so first time buyer. Absolutely no clue on how to go about getting the best deal for a mortgage. As an absolute beginner with no experience and nobody to ask, could someone please advise me on how to go about getting the best first time buyer deal.

Should I go around the banks myself and try to negotiate the best deal or just hire a broker to do it for me?

Thanks for any advice...

Read through the forums here, there are differing opinions on doing it yourself or going through a broker, and in the end it's a personal choice depending on how much time you have at your disposal - brokers are experts but there are stories of people getting a better deal themselves.... There is nothing to stop you making a couple of appointments with the main banks and seeing how you get on. If a broker can get you a better deal you can always choose to go through a broker later on.

I would not advise brokers because they cannot offer all mortgages.

Just drop into AIB and BOI and talk to whoever deals with mortgage applications

This thread may be of interest Unexplained Decline of applications by AIB.

I would try applying yourself first with AIB. They are the cheapest interest rate on the market at the moment, so if you can get that then you're laughing.

If you can't get approved with AIB or are not happy with the amount you get approved for, then consider applying through a broker as this will open up your options. It won't guarantee that you get a mortgage however.

done in both ways - and I thought going to the bank was the easiest. One less loop