The Intermediary – March 2026 - Flipbook - Page 99
L O C A L FO C U S
Chelmsford
Structural shifts
DANIEL MORGAN
director and mortgage and protection adviser
at Essex & Suffolk Mortgages
T
he housing market in Chelmsford remains very strong. Many of
our clients commute to London, and with Chelmsford being
within easy reach by train, it continues to be a highly desirable
location. ere is a steady flow of properties coming to market,
and transaction levels remain healthy.
ere is significant demand from first-time buyers looking to get onto
the property ladder. Many lenders are now offering products with zero
or very low deposit requirements, which is helping more buyers access
the market. Alongside this, we are seeing continued movement from
homeowners looking to upsize or relocate, which is further supporting
mortgage activity. One of the key trends we’re seeing is that buyers are
focusing more on residential properties rather than buy-to-let
(BTL) investments.
For those who are purchasing BTL properties, many are choosing to do
so via limited companies rather than in their personal names. is
structural shi has become increasingly common over recent years.
e buy-to-let market is not as strong as it was around five years ago.
is is largely due to changes in taxation, including Stamp Duty, Income
Tax on rental income, And Capital Gains Tax on sale.
As a result, many new investors are now purchasing through limited
companies, as the tax structure can be more favourable. However,
limited company mortgage rates are generally slightly higher than those
for properties held in personal names.
Our core demographic is typically between 25 and 45 years old, o en
in well-paid professional roles locally or in London. However, we also
support clients both younger and older than this range.
e majority of our new enquiries come from first-time buyers. at
said, we also have a substantial existing client base who return to us for
remortgages, or when they are looking to move to larger properties as
their families grow.
that have reshaped the landlord
landscape of late.
For those who are still entering the
market, the structure of ownership
is also evolving. Morgan explains
that “many are choosing to do so
via limited companies rather than
in their personal names,” adding
that “this structural shi has
become increasingly common over
recent years.”
New developments
Chelmsford’s development pipeline is
also playing an increasingly important
role in shaping the local property
landscape.
New-build homes continue to
command a noticeable premium over
established stock, with newly built
properties averaging around £518,000
across the postcode area, compared
with an average of£454,000 for
existing homes.
According to Innes, one of the most
prominent growth areas remains
Beaulieu Park. He notes that the
area’s appeal is further reinforced
by improvements to transport and
amenities, as the “surrounding
villages are also seeing strong demand
from buyers looking for more space
while retaining good commuter links.”
Morgan echoes this view,
highlighting the impact of recent
transport upgrades. He notes: “The
development of the new train station
has further enhanced its appeal.”
Beyond individual neighbourhoods,
Reece points out that “Chelmsford is
experiencing significant residential
growth, with a strong pipeline of new
homes planned across the city and
surrounding areas.”
Chelmsford
Residents
726k
Average age
41.4
Average property price
£457k
Chelmsford postcode area.
Source: www.plumplot.co.uk
One of the most significant
schemes is the Chelmsford Garden
Community, which Reece explains
“is set to deliver around 10,000
new homes over the coming years,
along with new schools, parks and
neighbourhood facilities.”
Several zones within the project
already have planning approval, with
further phases under consideration.
Alongside this flagship scheme,
growth is also being supported by new
residential-led developments such as
Chelmer Waterside.
Sustained demand
Overall, brokers report the
Chelmsford market is seling into a
steadier phase.
Demand remains anchored by the
city’s London connectivity, its growing
housing supply and a steady stream
of buyers. Activity is returning,
but with a more pragmatic tone.
It is clear borrowers are weighing
decisions more carefully, particularly
as external factors continue to shape
the market.
That shi has changed the nature
of conversations between brokers
and borrowers. For advisers working
on the ground, much of the role
now lies in bridging the gap between
perception and reality.
As Innes puts it: “We’re in a
transition from caution back to
confidence. A big part of the job is
helping clients understand what’s
genuinely possible today versus what
they assume might be the case.”
March 2026 | The Intermediary
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