Areas we serve.
A mortgage broker covering Essex and east London from a Romford base. Where our local market knowledge is deepest, and where it is broad.
Major Money Matters has been based in Romford since 2004. We do not pretend to be a national brand. We know Essex, and we know it well, from first-time buyers in the RM postcodes to buy-to-let landlords building portfolios across the county to families moving into Brentwood, Chelmsford and beyond. Most modern mortgage conversations happen by phone or video, but knowing the local market still changes the answer.
Where we know the market best
Ten Essex towns where we have placed mortgages consistently over the last twenty years.
Romford
Our home base since 2004. The full RM postcode range, from central Romford out to Hornchurch, Upminster, Gidea Park and Harold Hill.
Romford mortgage adviceBasildon
SS14 to SS17 postcodes. A strong first-time buyer and buy-to-let market, including Laindon, Langdon Hills, Pitsea and Vange.
Basildon mortgage adviceChelmsford
Essex's county town and CM postcodes. A family home-mover market with premium values and the catchment areas that drive them.
Chelmsford mortgage adviceSouthend-on-Sea
SS0 to SS9 postcodes. A varied market, from Westcliff flats to Leigh-on-Sea and Thorpe Bay family homes.
Southend mortgage adviceBrentwood
CM13 to CM15. A premium commuter market built around the Shenfield Elizabeth Line, with strong schools and higher loan sizes.
Brentwood mortgage adviceColchester
North Essex and CO postcodes. A mix of first-time buyer, buy-to-let and student-market investment lending.
Colchester mortgage adviceHarlow
CM17 to CM20, on the Essex and Hertfordshire border. Right to Buy and new-build first-time buyer activity dominate.
Harlow mortgage adviceGrays
Thurrock, RM15 to RM20. The Chafford Hundred area carries a strong first-time buyer and buy-to-let market.
Grays mortgage adviceBillericay
CM11 and CM12, between Brentwood and Basildon. A premium commuter market with steady family home-mover and remortgage activity.
Billericay mortgage adviceRayleigh
South Essex, SS6. A family home-mover and remortgage market with good rail links to Liverpool Street.
Rayleigh mortgage adviceEvery area we cover
From our Romford heartland, along the full length of the Elizabeth line and across Essex. Each area has its own page with local market notes.
Essex
East and south-east London
West London and the Thames Valley
Central London
Work at the airport? See our dedicated page on mortgages for Heathrow airport workers.
Further afield
We arrange mortgages for clients anywhere in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and for expat clients buying UK property from overseas. Our named-adviser model works just as well remotely. Many clients across the country have never set foot in our Romford office and it has made no difference to the outcome.
Our local expertise is strongest in the ten areas above. Outside them you still get a qualified broker with access to over 65 lenders across the market; we just have less local colour to add. For London buyers in particular we work regularly with clients in the E and IG postcodes.
Local-area questions we hear a lot
Do I need a local broker?
Not strictly. Our named-adviser model runs by phone, video and email, so geography is not the constraint. The reason to pick a local broker is the local knowledge: which streets value well for mortgage purposes, which postcodes have buy-to-let yield potential, which schools drive premium catchments. If those things matter to your case, local helps.
Can I meet you in person?
Yes. Our office is at 133 Shepherds Hill, Harold Wood, Romford, RM3 0NR. Most clients prefer phone or video for the fact-find and only come in for the application sign-off, but we are happy to do everything in person if you would rather.
Do you cover central London?
Yes. We work regularly with clients in the E and IG postcodes, and across central London on residential, buy-to-let and bridging cases. Premium-value cases are part of our day job, and access to over 65 lenders across the market matters more than postcode familiarity above around £750k.
Will I always speak to the same person?
Yes. Our named-adviser model means wherever possible a named adviser supports you from first call through to completion and future reviews, including protection and remortgages. No call centre, no junior handover.
Do you charge more for clients outside Romford?
No. We charge no broker fee on any case, wherever you are; we are paid by the lender procuration fee on completion. Third-party fees may apply and are disclosed in writing before you commit.
Related guides
The mortgage application process
From AIP through underwriting to mortgage offer. A reliable map of what to expect, wherever you are buying.
Read guideStamp Duty: the complete guide
2026 bands, first-time buyer relief and the 5% additional-property surcharge. Worked examples included.
Read guideThe true cost of moving home
The hidden costs people forget when budgeting a move, with realistic ranges for each.
Read guideWhat our clients say
Real reviews from clients across Romford and Essex, verified on Google.
Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 92 Google reviews Read the reviews on Google
Whatever your postcode, get in touch
Quick 15-minute fact-find call. If we cannot help, we will tell you honestly and point you somewhere that can.
We aim to return your call as quickly as we can. Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm. Weekend appointments available on request.