26th Sep 2026 (4 weeks ago)
We had a mixed experience with Connells Bedford.<br><br>The estate agency side was generally fine. We viewed a number of properties with them and found the agents who conducted our viewings pleasant and helpful.<br><br>One thing I did not appreciate was how persistently we were encouraged to use Connells’ mortgage services while we were viewing properties and in the process of making offers. I completely understand offering an in-house mortgage service, but at times it felt excessive and added unnecessary pressure to an already stressful process.<br><br>We eventually did use their mortgage services and dealt with Scott for both our residential mortgage and a separate buy-to-let mortgage.<br><br>During the process, we ultimately withdrew from the property we had been purchasing through Connells and proceeded with a different property marketed by another estate agent. Unfortunately, as things progressed, we were left with the impression that the level of support and communication was no longer the same once our purchase was no longer through Connells.<br><br>We do appreciate Scott’s help in successfully arranging our residential mortgage, and we are grateful for his work on that side of things. Unfortunately, our experience with the buy-to-let mortgage was very different and ultimately disappointing.<br><br>There were difficulties with the initial application, followed by another application where we paid a valuation fee before subsequently discovering an incompatibility involving our already-instructed solicitors. We appreciate that issues with lenders and their requirements can arise and that these are not necessarily within a broker’s control.<br><br>What disappointed us most was the communication and follow-through afterwards. At a point when the transaction was time-sensitive and we needed guidance on how to proceed, Scott became increasingly difficult to get hold of and eventually stopped responding. We ultimately had to take the buy-to-let mortgage elsewhere and have another broker take over.<br><br>Overall, I think it’s important to give credit where it’s due: Scott helped us successfully secure our residential mortgage, and the estate agents we dealt with during our property viewings were perfectly pleasant. However, given how persistently the mortgage services had initially been promoted to us, the lack of communication and support when our buy-to-let application became more complicated was particularly disappointing.... Read more