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If you were recently offered a mortgage by your bank, resist its charms and talk to a mortgage adviser first – you may find that there are much better mortgages available elsewhere.

It's all part of the banking sales process – you come in to pay in some money and they ask you whether you want to save some money, whether you want an ISA or they may even ask you about your home loan. There is nothing wrong with this and for some people, the loan offered to them is the best deal they could get.

But can you be sure that the mortgage your bank says you should get is the best mortgage for you? There are thousands of mortgages available to UK borrowers from a host of mortgage lenders – for your bank to have the single best deal for you is unlikely.

So if you have been offered one of its mortgages, talk to a mortgage adviser first. Show them what you have been offered and then let them search for you amongst all the UK lenders. A mortgage lender will go through your financial history and will ask you a million and one questions about your life and your needs. Then they will look at the whole of the mortgage market to find out what you could be offered.

It might be that your bank's offer is the best you are going to get, and a mortgage adviser is legally obliged to tell you so. But it is much more likely that there is a better mortgage out there for you that may costs hundreds of pounds less than your bank's. So don't take your bank's word for it, go to a professional and see for yourself.

To keep up with the latest news and comments on the mortgage market please visit the Mortgage Broker Blog.