Thanks for the response.

Yes, we did consider consulting with a mortgage broker. But I'm not totally sure that they can be truly independent - I always worry that they will recommend the product which would gain them the most commission. I can see that it would be helpful having someone research all our options - it's such a chore doing this alone.

I might look around for an independent advisor - hopefully they are truly independent!

In your shoes I would contact a broker to scour the market for you to find the best deal for you. Given your loan to valuation ratio you should be able to get the very best of the deals available.

You didn't mention what the standard variable rate is that A&L are offering when your tracker expires. I was pleasantly surprised with my lender that when I came off my 4.99% fixed rate in December and went on to their SVR which was 1% above BOE base rate (1.5% in total). It is often worth checking what the default deal is.

Hi there

Our current discounted deal with A&L expires this month. After contacting A&L we have been offered a tracker rate of BOE+2.79 (=3.29 currently) - they have no discount options and some of the better tracker options are available to new customers only. This product costs £599 and is for 2 Yrs. We can't seem to find anything better with other lenders after taking in to account product fees and solicitor's costs etc.

Our house value is approx £250,000 and the o/s mortgage is approx £75,000. We have never had a tracker rate before, always preferring the discounted products. Therefore we're slightly wary of tracker products.

Our main dilemma is;

a) Are we likely to get a better deal to suit us (discount or tracker)?

b) Is it really worth the hassle/expense of moving lenders (solicitors, valuations etc)?