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
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 financeSame-day decision in principle95% LTV availableFirst-time buyer helpFCA-regulated adviceBuy-to-let & HMO24/7 AI guidanceFree initial consultationRemortgage & specialist lendingShared ownershipBridging financeSame-day decision in principle
Today's best buys
Live · 31 Aug
10 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.
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
Everyday Mortgages
More mortgage services
Straightforward mortgages are welcome too. If your case is simple, we’ll handle it efficiently — and if it turns out to be more complex, we’re already equipped to help.
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.
10 lenders 23 live rates From 4.32%
| Lender | Product | Initial Rate | LTV | Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Danske Bank | 2yr fixed | 4.32% | 60% | £1,124 | Enquire |
Halifax | 2yr fixed | 4.34% | 60% | £999 | Enquire |
Nationwide | 2yr fixed | 4.45% | 75% | £999 | Enquire |
Barclays | 2yr fixed | 4.46% | 60% | £304 | Enquire |
Santander | 2yr fixed | 4.47% | 60% | £1,724 | Enquire |
HSBC | 2yr fixed | 4.51% | 60% | £1,016 | Enquire |
Barclays | 2yr fixed | 4.63% | 60% | £999 | Enquire |
Nationwide | 2yr tracker | 4.63% | 90% | £999 | Enquire |
Barclays | 2yr fixed | 4.69% | 90% | Fee free | Enquire |
Nationwide | 2yr fixed | 4.74% | 90% | £1,499 | Enquire |
Paragon Bank | 2yr tracker | 4.75% | 75% | £1,500 | Enquire |
Barclays | 2yr fixed | 4.79% | 90% | Fee free | Enquire |
Coventry Building Society | 2yr fixed | 4.85% | 75% | Fee free | Enquire |
Nationwide | 2yr tracker | 4.89% | 95% | £999 | Enquire |
Atom Bank | 2yr fixed | 4.99% | 90% | £900 | Enquire |
TSB | 2yr fixed | 5.14% | 85% | Fee free | Enquire |
Nationwide | 2yr fixed | 5.17% | 95% | £1,499 | Enquire |
Atom Bank | 2yr fixed | 5.19% | 95% | £900 | Enquire |
Barclays | 5yr fixed | 4.67% | 60% | £999 | Enquire |
Nationwide | 5yr fixed | 4.75% | 90% | £1,499 | Enquire |
Nationwide | 5yr fixed | 5.18% | 95% | £999 | Enquire |
Barclays | 10yr fixed | 5.12% | 60% | £999 | Enquire |
Barclays | 10yr fixed | 5.53% | 80% | £999 | 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.
Matt provided outstanding support throughout our mortgage application. He was always available to answer questions and gave us clear, straightforward advice. The whole process was handled professionally and we were kept informed at every stage. We would definitely use Mortgage321 again.
James
Mortgage321 Direct Client Review
Matt was extremely helpful throughout the process. He answered our questions clearly, kept us informed and worked hard behind the scenes to keep the application progressing. We always felt that we had someone experienced on our side. We would definitely recommend Mortgage321.
Keep
Mortgage321 Direct Client Review
We cannot recommend Mortgage321 highly enough. Matt was professional, knowledgeable and persistent throughout. He kept us regularly updated and dealt with every query from the lender quickly. His experience made a complicated process considerably easier for us.
Fox
Mortgage321 Direct Client Review
Fantastic service. Matt made everything easy to understand and was always on hand whenever we needed him. He found a mortgage that suited our circumstances and dealt with all the lender’s requirements efficiently. It was reassuring to have someone so experienced looking after us.
Appleton
Mortgage321 Direct Client Review
Matt was excellent from our first conversation right through to the mortgage offer. He listened to what we wanted to achieve, explained our options clearly and found the right solution. Communication was always prompt and professional. We would happily recommend Mortgage321 to friends and family.
Thornton
Mortgage321 Direct Client Review
We were very impressed with Mortgage321. Matt took the time to properly understand our circumstances rather than simply looking for the easiest option. His knowledge of different lenders proved invaluable and he guided us through the application from start to finish. Highly recommended.
Stillwell
Mortgage321 Direct Client Review
A first-class service from Mortgage321. Matt’s knowledge and experience were invaluable, particularly as our circumstances needed a more specialist approach. He knew which lenders to consider and guided us through their requirements. We are delighted with the outcome.
Doran
Mortgage321 Direct Client Review
The Mortgage321 Casebook
Complex Cases. Real Mortgage Problems.
See how different income, credit and property circumstances can require very different mortgage strategies.
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 StudyAdverse Credit
Mortgage321 Scenario Guide
Can You Buy Another Home While Settling an IVA From Your Property Sale?
An Individual Voluntary Arrangement doesn't automatically end your ability to buy again. We look at how settling an IVA from a property sale interacts with a new mortgage application.
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
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.
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
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.