First-Time Buyer
01
First-Time Buyer Mortgages
Guidance, lender access and government scheme advice to help you onto the ladder with confidence.
Mortgages
Expert mortgage advice tailored to you.
From your first home to your fifth investment property, we’ll find the right deal from over 90 UK lenders — and manage the process from enquiry to keys.
6 step process
How we work
From first conversation to completion day.
A mortgage is the biggest financial commitment most people ever make — and the process is rarely as simple as the comparison sites suggest. We handle every stage personally: fact-find, agreement in principle, full application, valuation, offer, exchange and completion. One advisor, one mobile number, one direct line of accountability from start to keys.
- 01Discovery call. A free, no-obligation conversation. We listen, you ask, no jargon — we figure out whether we’re the right fit.
- 02Fact-find. We map income, outgoings, deposits, dependants and goals. The clearer the picture, the sharper the recommendation.
- 03Agreement in principle. A soft-footprint credit check confirms what you can borrow — the document estate agents want to see before accepting offers.
- 04Full application. We package the case, manage the lender’s underwriters, and stay on top of valuation and conveyancing milestones.
- 05Mortgage offer. Formal offer issued, terms explained in plain English. We’ll flag anything that needs your attention before exchange.
- 06Completion & beyond. Keys in hand — and we’re still here. Annual reviews, remortgage reminders and a direct line whenever life changes.
Mortgage types
Six paths to the right rate. One advisor.
Whatever your situation — first-time buyer, mover, landlord or self-employed — we’ll explain the options in plain English.
Home Mover
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Home Mover Mortgages
Upsizing for a growing family or downsizing for a simpler life — we structure the move around you.
Remortgage
03
Remortgage & Product Transfer
Switch to a sharper rate, release equity for home improvements, or consolidate debt — on your terms.
Buy-to-Let
04
Buy-to-Let & Landlord Mortgages
Portfolio landlords, first-time landlords and limited company structures — we’ve placed them all.
Self-Employed
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Self-Employed & Contractor Mortgages
Sole traders, limited company directors and contractors — lenders that understand how you actually earn.
New Build
06
New Build & Specialist Lending
Help to Buy successors, new-build LTV restrictions, complex incomes and adverse credit — we know the lenders that say yes.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Most Buy-to-Let mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Our principles
How we earn your trust — deal after deal.
01
Whole-of-market
Access to over 90 UK lenders — high street, building societies, specialist and private banks.
02
Independent advice
Recommendations based on what’s right for you — not lender incentives or commission tiers.
03
One advisor
Marc handles your case personally from first call to completion. No call-centre roulette.
04
Plain English
No jargon, no pressure. You’ll understand exactly what you’re signing and why.
05
Evening & weekend
Appointments built around your working life, in person or by video call.
06
Lifetime relationship
We diary your remortgage two years out so you never drift onto an SVR by accident.
Essex roots.
National reach.
We aren’t just advisors; we’re neighbours. From the nuances of school catchments in Saffron Walden to commute times from Epping, our advice is grounded in real Essex life — backed by access to over 90 UK lenders.
- Chelmsford
- Brentwood
- Colchester
- Epping Forest
- Southend-on-Sea
- Saffron Walden
FAQ
Straight answers, no small print.
The questions we get asked every week — answered in plain English. Don’t see yours? Get in touch.
How much can I borrow?
Most lenders offer 4–4.5x annual income, with selected lenders stretching to 5.5x or 6x for professionals (doctors, solicitors, accountants) or higher earners. Affordability depends on income type, dependants, debts and outgoings — not just salary. We’ll give you a realistic figure within the first call.
How big a deposit do I need?
The minimum is typically 5% for residential and 25% for buy-to-let. The bigger the deposit, the sharper the rate. The main LTV bands are 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75% and 60% — crossing into a lower band can save thousands over a fixed term.
Should I fix for two years or five?
It depends on your plans and your view of where rates are heading. Two-year fixes give flexibility but more frequent product fees. Five-year fixes give certainty and usually a lower overall cost if rates rise. We’ll model both alongside tracker options before you decide.
How long does the process take?
From application to mortgage offer is typically 2–4 weeks. From offer to completion depends on the chain — usually 6–12 weeks for a purchase, 2–6 weeks for a remortgage with the same lender.
What does it cost?
Our initial consultation is free. We charge a fixed advice fee only if we proceed to application, payable on completion (so you only pay if you complete). The lender also pays us a procuration fee — both are disclosed in writing before you commit.
I’ve been declined by my bank — can you help?
Often yes. High street banks use rigid tick-box criteria. A specialist lender, a different income assessment, or a slightly different product can change the answer. Bring us the reason for decline and we’ll be honest about whether we can place it.
Do you cover the whole UK?
Yes — we’re Essex-based but place mortgages nationally. Most of the process is now electronic, and Marc will travel for face-to-face meetings within the South East.
Next step
Ready to find your rate?
Tell us about your situation and we'll come back with options from across the market.