Reading is a town in the South East, often referred to as the "Silicon Valley of the UK". Now that it's seamlessly connected to the capital via the Elizabeth Line, it boasts a property market that is as fast-paced as it is diverse.
Whether you're a first-time buyer looking for an apartment in the town centre, an IT contractor seeking a family home in the highly sought-after catchments of Caversham or Earley, or a landlord investing in the student market, having the right financial guidance is essential.
While we have a strong nationwide presence, we also have a dedicated team of specialist advisers living and working in and around Reading, offering the invaluable, on-the-ground knowledge of a local expert.
Find your local adviser
Our Expert Mortgage Brokers in Reading
Our Reading-based advisers know the local market and understand the premium placed on properties within walking distance of Reading Station. Not to mention the appeal of village life in Pangbourne or Theale, and the specific lending criteria for modern riverside apartments.
As a whole-of-market brokerage, we can search thousands of mortgage products to find the perfect deal for your unique circumstances.
We specialise in:
Professional Mortgages - For professionals commuting to work in London on the Elizabeth Line, Reading is a commuter hotspot. We can also help professionals working at the major tech parks (like Thames Valley Park and Green Park), as we understand how to present complex incomes, bonuses, and restricted stock units (RSUs) to lenders
First-Time Buyer Mortgages - We guide you through the process of securing your first home in popular, up-and-coming areas like Tilehurst or Woodley, helping you navigate the competitive local market
Contractor & Self-Employed Mortgages - Reading is a hub for IT and other freelance talent. We have access to specialist lenders who calculate affordability based on your gross day rate rather than just your self-assessment tax returns, often allowing you to borrow significantly more
Buy-to-Let & HMOs - With Royal Berkshire Hospital, a major university, and a young professional demographic, the rental market is booming. We have plenty of expert buy-to-let mortgage brokers in Reading, who can advise landlords on standard buy-to-lets as well as HMO (Houses in Multiple Occupation) mortgages
Reading’s booming economy means we frequently support business owners, developers, and seasoned property investors with complex financial requirements that go beyond standard residential lending, such as:
Commercial Mortgages: Whether you're looking to purchase your own trading premises, an office space near Green Park, or a retail unit in the town centre, we can source competitive commercial finance to help your business thrive
Bridging Finance: In a fast-moving market, speed is everything. We arrange short-term bridging finance for auction purchases, property refurbishment projects, or to 'break the chain' when your purchase is moving faster than your sale
Secured Loans: If you are locked into a low fixed-rate mortgage but need to raise capital for home improvements or debt consolidation, a secured loan (or second-charge mortgage) allows you to borrow against your equity without disturbing your existing mortgage arrangement.
Other Advisory Services We Provide
Securing your home is just the first step. We are dedicated to ensuring your financial future is robust and secure. Our team offers specialist, regulated advice in:
Later-Life Lending (Equity Release) - For homeowners in Berkshire aged 55 and over, your property could be a significant asset. Our qualified later-life lending specialists can help you understand how to safely unlock tax-free cash from your home. Whether you want to fund a more comfortable retirement or help a family member get on the property ladder, we explain your options clearly and without pressure.
Insurance and Protection - Peace of mind is vital. Our protection advisers will review your personal circumstances to ensure you, your family, and your home are covered against the unexpected. We offer tailored advice on:
Life Insurance * Critical Illness Cover
Income Protection (An absolute must for our contractor and self-employed clients)
Home Insurance (Buildings & Contents)
How our Reading-based advisers could help
You get the best of both worlds. You benefit from the robust compliance, customer service, and lender relationships of a UK-wide brokerage headquartered in Mirfield, alongside the personal touch of an adviser who knows the Thames Valley market.
We understand that buying a property can be stressful, which is why we offer flexible communication. We can manage your entire application via phone, email, and video call—but because our brokers are local, we are also more than happy to arrange face-to-face appointments in and around Reading if you prefer to discuss your options over a coffee.
Speak to Our Reading Expert Brokers Today
Don't leave your mortgage to chance. Speak to a team that knows Reading as well as you do.
Get in touch for a friendly, no-obligation chat to see how we can assist with your property goals.
FAQs
Yes, some are. While our company’s head office and administrative hub is located in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, the specialist advisers you will be speaking to live and/or work in and around the Reading area. This ensures you get expert local knowledge, and that they are available for face-to-face meetings locally upon request.
- Residential mortgages: Everything from fixed-rate to tracker mortgages for first-time buyers, homemovers and remortgage borrowers
- Specialist mortgages: For borrowers who fall outside of standard lending criteria, including people with bad credit, self-employed professionals and more
- Later-life lending: Including advice on equity release, mortgages for pensioners and retirement interest only (RIO) mortgages
- Bridging & Commercial: We have specialist advisors on hand for commercial mortgages, bridging loans, development finance and more
- Insurance & Protection: Including life, home and critical illness cover for families and individuals, as well as landlord and business protection insurance
Echo Finance is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is reviewed annually by an independent compliance company. All of our brokers and advisers hold industry-standard qualifications, such as CeMAP, CeRER and DipMap, where required.
We are committed to providing advice through the channels that best suit your needs. Our brokers can provide advice via phone, email, video and web chat from anywhere in the UK, but we also aim to offer face-to-face appointments for those who request them.