A mortgage broker helps you find and secure the most suitable mortgage for your needs by comparing products from a wide range of lenders. At Greenshoots Financial, we offer independent advice to ensure you get the best possible deal tailored to your financial situation - it is our job to do all the legwork and take the pressure from you. We are headquartered in Bathgate but work with customers all over Scotland for both their mortgage and insurance needs.

Working with a local mortgage broker means you benefit from personalised service and in-depth knowledge of the local property market. We understand regional lender criteria and can often access exclusive deals not available directly to the public.

We're a whole-of-market broker, so we have access to nearly every mortgage. We also have access to exclusive deals that banks and societies do not always offer directly to customers. In addition, we have decades of experience in applications and will manage all the follow-ups, keeping you in the loop.

Not only do we take away the stress of acquiring your mortgage or remortgage, but we also can sort out your protection needs such as critical illness, employment protection, private healthcare, or life protection should anything happen. And, when your product is nearing its change date, you don't have to worry because we will already be looking at the latest and best product for your remortgage and will get in touch.

Successfully achieving our clients' insurance and mortgage needs is paramount to every team member. We are qualified and trained to help you, and as whole market brokers are not tied to any provider, we work entirely for you - no matter how complex your situation is.

Yes! We specialise in supporting first-time buyers across Scotland. We guide you through the entire mortgage process, from calculating affordability to choosing the right product and handling paperwork, making your first home purchase as smooth as possible. Our guide to the key steps can be found here.

At Greenshoots Financial, we believe insurance is an essential part of protecting what matters most - your family, your business, and your lifestyle.

We search the whole market to find the most suitable policies tailored to your individual needs, ensuring you get the best possible cover at the right price.

We can help you with:

• Life insurance - Provides financial security for your loved ones if you pass away.

• Critical illness cover - Pays out a lump sum if you're diagnosed with a serious illness, helping you focus on recovery without financial stress.

• Income protection - Replaces part of your income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury.

• Business protection - Protects your business against the loss of a key person, business loan cover, or shareholder protection.

• Private medical insurance - Gives you fast access to private healthcare, reducing waiting times and improving treatment options.

• Home insurance - Protects your property and belongings from unexpected events like fire, theft, or flooding.

We don’t charge a fee for our insurance advice or applications - our service is completely free to you, as we are paid directly by the insurer. This means you receive expert, impartial guidance without any upfront cost.

The amount you can borrow depends on your income, expenses, credit history, and the lender’s criteria. At Greenshoots Financial, we provide personalised affordability assessments for clients in Scotland, including Bathgate and West Lothian, to help you understand your options clearly.

The following documents are required before moving forward with an application:

✔️3-months bank statements and proof of earnings

✔️Photo ID- Original copy of driving licence or passport

✔️Proof of address - original copy of utility bill dated within the last 3 months

✔️Proof of deposit

✔️Credit Report - We can support with this if you require

An agreement in principle (AIP) is the first step to getting a mortgage. Some lenders also call this a mortgage in principle, mortgage promise or decision in principle. An AIP helps understand how much you could borrow before you apply for a mortgage and it shows estate agents and sellers that you’re serious about buying, and in a position to do it.

Yes, we offer specialist advice for buy-to-let mortgages. Whether you're a first-time landlord or building a portfolio, we can help you understand the market and secure the best rates.

On average, a mortgage application can take between 2 to 6 weeks to be approved, depending on your circumstances and the lender’s processing times. We help streamline the process to avoid unnecessary delays.

Sometimes people who try to organise a mortgage themselves are unsuccessful due to the loan amount or come across credit issues they don’t know about or have a low score. In this case, we can speak to someone the same day to find a suitable lender to fit their circumstances. One size doesn’t fit all and the benefit of an independent broker is we are aligned to your outcome, not an individual lender.

While banks can only offer their own products, a mortgage broker like Greenshoots Financial has access to a wide range of lenders and products. This often means better rates, more choice, and expert guidance throughout the process.

We have appointments 7 days a week, and we offer evening appointments for people who cannot attend during working hours. In addition, we have a team of experienced advisers who can see you the same day.

Our experienced mortgage brokers can advise on many things, including support with recommendations for a great Estate Agent, a lawyer, wills, pensions etc.; however, specifically to your application:

What documents should I gather in advance?

How can I increase my chances of being eligible for a mortgage?

What are the best mortgage options for first-time buyers?

What insurance products are necessary and what are recommended?

Which is better for me: a shorter fixed or a more extended period?

When is the best time to remortgage in the future?

For all new clients looking to purchase, remortgage or complete a product transfer, our fee is £495. A £95 initial payment is made before we secure your decision in principle. This is for our research and administration costs.

For debt consolidation mortgages, our fee is £695.

Specialist cases:

• Subprime purchase mortgages: Up to 1% of the loan amount*

• Bridging loans: Up to 1%*

• Lifetime mortgages: Up to 1%*

• Limited company buy-to-let mortgages: £795.

• Buy-to-let portfolios (2 to 10 properties): Up to 1%*

• Buy-to-let portfolios (11+ properties): Up to 1.25%*

* The final fee will depend on your case's complexity, the research required, and the time involved in managing your application from start to finish. We always confirm your exact fee upfront, so you know precisely what to expect.

When you choose a particular mortgage, you’ll receive a clear, personalised illustration outlining precisely what you’ll pay, including all fees and broker remuneration. This ensures no surprises, and you know exactly what you’re getting.

If the fee disclosed changes at any stage of the advice process (for example, as a result of customer circumstances uncovered during the fact-find process), we will provide the revised fee and payment basis before the fees are due to be paid.

The £95 fee is paid upfront before any Decision in Principle is conducted, and the remainder of the fee is payable upon submission of the mortgage application. Any commission due to the broker directly from the lender will be payable at the completion of the mortgage.

If we charge you a fee, and your mortgage does not go ahead, or if you decide not to proceed, you will not receive a refund as this fee covers our administration costs.

At Greenshoots Financial, we believe that our clients should always know exactly what they are paying for and why. This philosophy ensures you receive expert support without surprises, and helps build trust from day one.

When it comes to mortgages, we don’t just look at a handful of options - we research the entire market. We consider your deposit, employment history, income, future plans, and lender-specific criteria to find the most suitable mortgage product for you. This level of research requires significant time, expertise, and diligence.

The mortgage application process is complex and involves:

• Preparing and reviewing extensive documentation.

• Communicating with lenders on your behalf.

• Handling follow-ups and additional requirements.

Our service ensures that your application is as strong as possible, reducing the risk of delays or rejections. Every client’s situation is unique. Our advisors provide bespoke advice, helping you navigate options such as first-time buyer deals, remortgages, or buy-to-let mortgages, all tailored to your specific goals and circumstances.

When it comes to insurance (for example, life cover or income protection), we receive a commission directly from the insurance provider once your policy is set up. This does not affect the price of the policy and also means you can benefit from our full advice and application support without paying a fee yourself.

We believe that protection products, such as life insurance or critical illness cover, are essential to safeguarding your home and your family’s financial future. By removing upfront fees, we make it easier for clients to access this important advice without cost being a barrier.