The Intermediary – March 2026 - Flipbook - Page 97
An active market
KARL INNES
mortgage and protection adviser at Just Mortgages
JESSICA O’CONNOR
is deputy editor
at The Intermediary
and mortgage and protection adviser
at Essex & Suffolk Mortgages, says:
“Many of our clients commute to
London, and with Chelmsford being
within easy reach by train.”
Morgan adds:“There is a steady flow
of properties coming to market, and
transaction levels remain healthy,”
while the lending market is equally
active, with “significant demand from
first-time buyers looking to get onto
the property ladder.”
For Oliver Ben Reece, lead
mortgage and protection adviser at
Bright Future Mortgages Advisors,
Chelmsford’s appeal also extends
to a broad mix of buyer profiles. He
explains: “The Chelmsford housing
market remains strong, largely due to
its close proximity to central London
and its direct rail link to London
Liverpool Street,” adding that while
detached homes for families typically
command prices of “£600,000 and
he market has had a strong start to 2026. Activity levels have
increased noticeably compared to last year, this is largely due to
increased confidence as mortgage rates have reduced and
lending criteria has changed favourably, particularly for first
time buyers. Demand is high for well-located family homes, particularly
those with good transport links into London.
ere’s a real sense of momentum building. Stock levels are increasing
compared to late 2025, lenders are competing strongly, and buyers who
receive good advice o en surprised by what is achievable in the
current climate.
e market in Chelmsford is benefiting from families and professionals
moving out of London and areas bordering London who are prioritising
space and value while retaining strong transport links to the city.
In addition, many buyers who delayed decisions over the past couple
of years due to uncertainty and expected rate reductions and now
entering the market. Remortgage activity remains strong as buyers
coming off 2-year fixed rates can typically move to cheaper deals.
Chelmsford continues to benefit from new development, particularly
around Beaulieu, which is popular with families and professionals.
Surrounding villages are also seeing strong demand from buyers looking
for more space while retaining good commuter links. Continued
investment in infrastructure and amenities is supporting long-term
demand across the area.
T
above,” there is also “a significant
number of enquiries from young
professionals looking to purchase flats
in the area.”
Motivated buyers
A combination of easing mortgage
rates and improving lender
competition at the beginning of the
year started to restore confidence,
particularly among borrowers who
delayed decisions while waiting for
greater certainty around rates. Even
now, in the face of renewed market
uncertainty, buyers are increasingly
rushing to secure existing deals.
Alongside this renewed purchasing
activity, refinancing remains a key →
March 2026 | The Intermediary
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