It's your credit file. Not really a big deal, but if you have a...

It's your credit file. Not really a big deal, but if you have a lot of enquiries in say a 6 month period it can effect the lender's lending.

So I see you have experienced it first hand. Definitely not ideal, especially if you are relying on the valuation/equity for a purchase with a 28 day finance clause..

Yeah most brokers will have access to them, some of the banks require brokers to write x amount before they have access to upfront valuations.

It's free to use a broker. Most people believe it costs money or there are some hidden disadvantages. Brokers generally get paid 0.66 % of the loan amount and 0.16% in trailing commission - This is not an expense to the customer at all and does not effect their repayments or loan amount. You just need to ensure you have a broker that doesn't try and put you with a lender that pays higher up front commission. Also pays to have a broker that isn't just there get your loan but actually adds value by structuring the loan correctly.