Great experience from start to finish with my initial enquiry. The service was friendly, knowledgeable, and they were always quick to respond. I would definitely recommend them.
Caldwell
Mortgage321 Direct Client Review · M321-DR-167352
Specialist Mortgage Broker · Colchester Based · Nationwide
When the mortgage isn’t straightforward.
Specialist whole-of-market mortgage advice for self-employed applicants, complex income, adverse credit, property investors and circumstances that don’t fit the standard lending box.
Led by Matthew Pigrome CeMAP · 35+ years’ experience · Established 2009
95% LTV availableFirst-time buyer helpFCA-regulated adviceBuy-to-let & HMO24/7 AI guidanceFree initial consultationRemortgage & specialist lendingShared ownershipBridging financeSecond charge loansExpat & foreign nationalLater life lendingSame-day decision in principle95% LTV availableFirst-time buyer helpFCA-regulated adviceBuy-to-let & HMO24/7 AI guidanceFree initial consultationRemortgage & specialist lendingShared ownershipBridging financeSecond charge loansExpat & foreign nationalLater life lendingSame-day decision in principle
Today's best buys
Live · 9 Sept
11 lendersSee all
Specialist Problem-Solving
What’s making your mortgage difficult?
Different lenders assess circumstances differently. Start with the issue that best describes your situation and we’ll help establish the options.
I've Been Declined
A previous mortgage decline or lender rejection.
ExploreI'm Self-Employed
Sole trader, contractor, partner or freelancer.
ExploreI'm a Company Director
Salary, dividends, retained profit or complex company income.
ExploreI Have Adverse Credit
Defaults, CCJs, missed payments, IVA or previous financial difficulties.
ExploreMy Income Is Complicated
Multiple incomes, variable earnings, recent increases or unusual remuneration.
ExploreI'm a Property Investor
BTL, limited company, portfolio, HMO and more complex landlord finance.
ExploreI Need Bridging or Specialist Finance
Auction, refurbishment, short-term funding, commercial or unusual transactions.
ExploreI Live or Work Abroad
Expat and foreign national buyers financing UK property.
ExploreI'm Borrowing Later in Life
Equity release, retirement interest-only and later life lending.
ExploreI Need to Raise Capital
Second charge loans — unlock equity without refinancing.
ExploreMy Fixed Rate Is Ending
Product transfers and rate switches before you roll onto the SVR.
ExploreMy Situation Is Different
Not sure where you fit? Start with a Complex Case Review.
Explore Complex Case Review
Before making another application, let us understand the whole case.
If your income, credit history, property or circumstances don’t fit standard lender criteria, we can assess the position, identify the potential obstacles and research which types of lenders may be appropriate.
An initial review does not guarantee lending or mortgage approval. Personalised recommendations are provided by qualified, FCA-regulated advisers.
Step 1
Tell us what you want to achieve
Step 2
Tell us what makes the case unusual
Step 3
We research lender criteria
Step 4
We explain the route forward
Whole-of-market research · No obligation
The Mortgage321 Advantage
The Mortgage321 Advantage
We research the case before we recommend a lender. When circumstances are complex, experience and whole-of-market research make the difference.
01
Complex Case Specialists
Cases that don’t fit standard criteria are a core part of what we do.
- Self-employed & complex income
- Adverse credit & previous declines
- Property investors & specialist finance
02
35+ Years of Experience
Mortgage321 is led by Matthew Pigrome CeMAP, who has worked in financial services since 1989.
- Founder & Principal, CeMAP
- Hands-on underwriting knowledge
- Established 2009
03
Whole-of-Market Research
Different lenders assess the same borrower differently. We research the market to find lenders whose criteria fit the circumstances.
- High-street & specialist lenders
- Criteria-led lender selection
- Research before recommendation
04
FCA-Regulated Human Advice
Personalised mortgage recommendations are provided by qualified regulated advisers.
- FCA AR No. 498937
- Dedicated case management
- Regulated advice, not just guidance
05
Molly 24/7 AI Assistance
Instant generic mortgage information and guidance, with a seamless route to a human adviser.
- Answers any time, day or night
- Affordability & eligibility guidance
- Seamless handoff to an adviser
06
Fully Online, Nationwide
Phone, video, WhatsApp and online communication from Mortgage321’s Colchester base.
- No office visits or travelling
- Advice wherever you are in the UK
- Colchester roots, nationwide reach
Led by Matthew Pigrome CeMAP
Mortgage321 is led by Matthew Pigrome, who has worked in financial services since 1989. Every case is reviewed by an experienced adviser before a lender is recommended — not processed on a production line.
35+ Years
Matthew's Experience
2009
Established
FCA
Regulated (AR 498937)
Colchester
Essex-Based Broker
Free initial consultation · No obligation · FCA-regulated advice
Every Mortgage Service
More mortgage services
From straightforward purchases to the cases other brokers turn away — we cover it all.
Standard
Straightforward purchases, rate switches and protection.
Specialist Help
The complex cases other brokers turn away.
Property Investors
Buy-to-let, limited company, portfolio and specialist finance.
Secured Loans
Second charge loans — secured borrowing options.
New — First Time Buyers Hub
Everything you need to buy your first home — in one place
Our free hub walks you through the whole journey: a step-by-step route to your first home, an interactive mortgage-readiness checklist, plain-English guides to deposits, affordability and credit — and a free guide assistant for every question along the way.
The six-step journey to keys
Readiness checklist with progress tracking
Plain-English knowledge base & FAQs
Tools & Calculators
Instant estimates to help you plan your next move
Live · updated today
Today's Best Buy Mortgages
Live rates researched daily from publicly available UK market data and curated by our advisers. Indicative only — speak to an adviser for a tailored quote.
11 lenders 30 live rates From 4.26%
| Lender | Product | Initial Rate | LTV | Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coventry Building Society | 2yr tracker | 4.26% | 75% | £999 | Enquire |
Santander | 2yr discount | 4.29% | 75% | £999 | Enquire |
Santander | 2yr fixed | 4.52% | 60% | £1,499 | Enquire |
HSBC | 2yr fixed | 4.59% | 60% | £999 | Enquire |
TSB | 2yr tracker | 4.74% | 80% | £995 | Enquire |
TSB | 2yr tracker | 4.74% | 85% | £995 | Enquire |
West Brom Building Society | 2yr fixed | 4.78% | 90% | £1,499 | Enquire |
NatWest | 2yr fixed | 4.89% | 70% | £1,284 | Enquire |
Virgin Money | 2yr tracker | 4.89% | 95% | £999 | Enquire |
Santander | 2yr fixed | 4.90% | 85% | £999 | Enquire |
TSB | 2yr fixed | 4.94% | 85% | £995 | Enquire |
TSB | 2yr tracker | 4.99% | 90% | £995 | Enquire |
TSB | 2yr fixed | 5.09% | 90% | £995 | Enquire |
Santander | 2yr fixed | 5.10% | 90% | £999 | Enquire |
Barclays | 2yr fixed | 5.14% | 90% | £899 | Enquire |
TSB | 2yr fixed | 5.19% | 80% | Fee free | Enquire |
TSB | 2yr fixed | 5.19% | 85% | Fee free | Enquire |
Barclays | 2yr fixed | 5.29% | 90% | Fee free | Enquire |
Barclays | 2yr fixed | 5.53% | 95% | Fee free | Enquire |
Santander | 2yr fixed | 5.54% | 95% | Fee free | Enquire |
HSBC | 5yr fixed | 4.58% | 60% | £999 | Enquire |
TSB | 5yr fixed | 4.74% | 60% | £1,495 | Enquire |
Barclays | 5yr fixed | 4.83% | 90% | £899 | Enquire |
TSB | 5yr fixed | 4.84% | 60% | £995 | Enquire |
Barclays | 5yr fixed | 5.03% | 90% | Fee free | Enquire |
Santander | 5yr fixed | 5.03% | 90% | £999 | Enquire |
Barclays | 10yr fixed | 4.80% | 70% | £999 | Enquire |
Skipton Building Society | 10yr fixed | 4.80% | 80% | £999 | Enquire |
Halifax | 3yr fixed | 4.53% | 60% | £999 | Enquire |
First Direct | 3yr fixed | 4.63% | 75% | £490 | Enquire |
Source: Rates are researched daily from publicly available UK mortgage market data and curated by Mortgage321 advisers. Figures are indicative and for guidance only — your actual rate depends on your circumstances, credit profile, and property valuation.
LTV (Loan-to-Value): The LTV shown is the maximum each product allows — the ratio of the mortgage amount to the property's value (or purchase price, whichever is lower). A lower LTV generally means access to lower rates, as a larger deposit or more equity represents less risk to the lender. Your eligible LTV depends on your deposit, the property valuation, and the lender's criteria.
Get a personalised quoteWhat Our Clients Say
Real feedback gathered from clients Mortgage321 has helped with their mortgages over the years. From straightforward purchases to more complex lending situations, our focus is always on clear advice, personal service and finding the right solution for the individual client.
The mortgage process was explained clearly, and I really appreciated the professional communication throughout. Everything felt organised and straightforward, making the whole experience much easier.
Martin
Mortgage321 Direct Client Review · M321-DR-110731
I received really helpful guidance throughout the mortgage process. Everything was explained clearly, and I felt I had a good understanding of my options and what was required at each step.
Smith
Mortgage321 Direct Client Review · M321-DR-074214
The communication was prompt and professional throughout the process. It made it much easier to understand exactly what was happening at each stage of my mortgage application.
Phillips
Mortgage321 Direct Client Review · M321-DR-978634
I have used Mortgage321 on a number of occasions to arrange buy-to-let and HMO mortgages. Matt understands the specialist lending market extremely well and has always been able to find solutions, even when the circumstances haven’t been straightforward. The service is personal, professional and reliable, and I would happily recommend Mortgage321 to other landlords and property investors.
Webb
Mortgage321 Direct Client Review · M321-DR-225484
Mortgage321 made the whole mortgage process much easier than we expected. Everything was explained clearly, communication was excellent and we always knew what was happening next.
Pavitt
Mortgage321 Direct Client Review · M321-DR-PAVITT
Matt went above and beyond to help us with my buy to let mortgage. my circumstances required a little more thought than a standard buy to let application as I had bad credit, but he knew where to look and guided me through everything. His communication and determination were excellent. I would highly recommend Mortgage321.
Prendiville
Mortgage321 Direct Client Review · M321-DR-PRENDIVILLE
Matt has been fantastic in helping me with my product transfer. Everything was easy to understand and guided me through each stage of the process by email and messages. I always felt that I could contact him with any questions I had and nothing was ever too much trouble. I’m extremely grateful for all his help and would definitely recommend Mortgage321.
Garrett
Mortgage321 Direct Client Review · M321-DR-GARRETT
The Mortgage321 Casebook
Complex Cases. Real Mortgage Problems.
See how different income, credit and property circumstances can require very different mortgage strategies.
Self-Employed
Real Mortgage321 Case · Details anonymised
Self-Employed Mortgage: When One Year's Accounts and Adverse Credit Complicate the Application
A home-mover case where one year's self-employed accounts, an historic default and disputed utility arrears narrowed the lender field — and the property chain then tested the mortgage offer to its limits.
Read Case Study
Company Directors
Mortgage321 Scenario Guide
Company Director Mortgage With Recently Increased Income
How a limited company director whose pay and dividends recently increased can be assessed by lenders that look at the current position — not just a two-year average.
Read Case StudyComplex Cases
Mortgage321 Scenario Guide
When the Mortgage Calculator Says You Can't Borrow Enough
Online calculators give a rough figure — but the real borrowing amount depends on how each lender assesses your income, commitments and the property.
Read Case Study From Matthew’s Knowledge Centre
Specialist answers from Matthew Pigrome
Detailed explanations of the underwriting issues that actually make a mortgage difficult.
Affordability
Why Can Two Mortgage Lenders Offer Completely Different Affordability?
You can give two mortgage lenders exactly the same income, deposit and financial commitments and receive two very different answers about how much you can borrow.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP 6 min
Self-EmployedCan a Mortgage Lender Use My Latest Year's Self-Employed Income?
If your self-employed income has increased, will a mortgage lender use your latest year's figures, or average your previous years? There is no single answer that applies to every lender.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP 6 min
Declined MortgagesMy Mortgage Was Declined — What Should I Do Next?
A mortgage decline can feel definitive. It often is not. The important question is why it was declined - and immediately applying elsewhere can create more problems than it solves.
By Matthew Pigrome CeMAP 5 min
Fully Online Mortgage Advice
Mortgage321 is a 100% online brokerage. There's no need to visit an office or arrange a home appointment — all of our advice is delivered remotely, wherever you are in the UK.
Phone Video call WhatsApp Live chat (Molly AI)
No office visits No travelling Advice wherever you are in the UK
Complex circumstances welcome
Tell us the problem.
We’ll help establish the route forward.
Whether you’ve been declined, your income is difficult to evidence, your credit history is less than perfect or the property itself is unusual, start by telling us what you’re trying to achieve.
Initial consultation free · No obligation · FCA-regulated advice where personalised recommendations are provided
Ready to get your mortgage moving?
Submit your details and one of our expert advisers will call you back within 24 working hours. Want instant answers first? Molly, our AI assistant, is on hand 24/7 — entirely optional.
Our team of expert advisers
FCA Regulated 4.8/5 on VouchedFor (37 reviews) Established 2009
Get Your Free Mortgage Consultation
No obligation · Free initial chat · FCA-regulated advice
Recommend a friend, today
Know someone who could benefit from expert mortgage advice? Refer a friend and you’ll both receive a £100 Love2Shop voucher as our thank you once their mortgage completes.
*Terms & conditions apply. Voucher issued once your friend's mortgage completes. Mortgage referrals only.
Your Local Mortgage Broker in Colchester & Essex
Mortgage321 is a whole-of-market mortgage broker based in Colchester, Essex. Since 2009 we have helped thousands of homebuyers, homeowners and property investors across Colchester, Essex and the wider UK find the right mortgage — researching lenders across the market, not just the high street, to find a suitable mortgage for each client's individual circumstances.
What sets us apart is our unique blend of AI-powered mortgage guidance and FCA-regulated human advisers. Our AI assistant, Molly, is available 24/7 to answer your mortgage questions instantly — from affordability and deposit requirements to scheme eligibility and specialist lending criteria. When you are ready for tailored, regulated advice, our expert advisers take over, guiding you through the entire application process from start to finish.
We cover clients across 23 counties in England and Wales — from our Colchester base across Essex, Suffolk, Kent, Hertfordshire and the Home Counties to Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Merseyside, Devon, Cornwall, South Wales and North Wales, with dedicated local pages for towns across them all. We also serve clients nationwide across the whole of the UK through our fully remote, flexible service model. Whether you are a first-time buyer in Colchester, a landlord in Manchester, or looking to remortgage in Cardiff, Mortgage321 has the expertise and whole-of-market access to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about using Mortgage321 as your mortgage broker.
Mortgage321 is a whole-of-market, FCA-regulated specialist mortgage broker based in Colchester, established in 2009 and led by Matthew Pigrome CeMAP with 35+ years of financial-services experience. We help self-employed applicants, clients with adverse credit, property investors and non-standard cases that do not fit the high street. Our Colchester clients also benefit from our 24/7 AI mortgage assistant, Molly, for instant guidance outside office hours.