What does the mortgage process look like end to end?
Decision in principle, full application, valuation, formal offer, legal completion. Typically three to six weeks once the application is complete.
- Decision in principle. A short assessment giving an indicative amount you could borrow. It carries no obligation and helps you make a credible offer.
- Full application. Submitted once you have a property. This is where the detailed income, expenditure and credit assessment happens.
- Valuation. We instruct a valuation of the property. You may also choose a fuller survey for your own purposes.
- Underwriting. An underwriter reviews the whole file. Expect questions if anything needs clarifying — answering same-day keeps the case moving.
- Formal offer. Issued to you and your solicitor, setting out the rate, term, monthly payment and all conditions.
- Legal work and completion. Your solicitor completes searches and contracts, funds are released on the completion date, and repayments begin the following month.
Keeping it moving
- Do not change job, open new credit or make large unexplained transfers while the application is live — each triggers a re-assessment.
- Reply to document requests the same day.
- Keep your solicitor and your Optimal MetroHub Bank contact talking to each other; most delays sit between the two.
Did this not solve it?
Raise a support ticket from inside online banking and a specialist will answer with your account in front of them — or contact us if you cannot sign in.
Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 20:00 (CET). Card loss and fraud reporting is staffed 24/7.