GENERAL
IFA stands for an Independent Financial Adviser.
As Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) we provide impartial, unrestricted and unbiased advice that considers every option on the market.
We work in your best interest.
At Coffey Brooks, we proudly provide independent financial advice and our six main services include:
- Mortgages
- Pensions
- Investments
- Protection/Insurance
- Individual Financial Planning
- Corporate Financial Planning
We also offer help and advice in:
- Business Protection
- Retirement Planning
- Annuities
- Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs)
- Estate Planning
… and much more.
We have several offices and advisers based across the country and provide advice both virtually and in-person.
Our Clacton Office – 60 Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO15 1SP
Our Wickford Office – Suite A, Basilica House, 334 Southend Road, Wickford, Essex SS11 8QS
Coffey Tomkins – Areas around the M25 and the Thames Valley region
MORTGAGES
As mortgage advisers, we have a wealth of knowledge in the mortgage sector, and can search the market on your behalf, only suggesting deals that would work for you.
This also helps to increase your chance of being accepted, and can save you huge amounts of time and money.
There are several types of mortgage on the market, but the two main types are Fixed Rate and Variable Rate mortgages.
A fixed rate mortgage means that the interest you pay on your mortgage is fixed for a defined period of time (usually between two to five years) and as such, that your monthly payments don’t change in value.
A variable rate mortgage means that the interest you pay on your mortgage will fluctuate which is reflected in your varying payments.
Yes, at Coffey Brooks we proudly provide whole-of-market independent mortgage advice meaning that we always work in your best interest and make suggestions that prioritise your needs.
How much you can borrow will greatly depend on your individual/couple circumstances, and also on the lenders that you approach.
Each lender will have different criteria for you to meet and different methods to calculate how much you can borrow.
Having a bad credit score doesn’t make it impossible to get a mortgage, and our advisers have helped many clients in a similar position to secure their dream homes.
Talk to one of our advisers today for further guidance and information.
There are several ways to improve your credit score such as by repaying debt and paying off any current credit commitments on time such as monthly mobile phone bills.
Generally speaking, the minimum amount of a deposit you’ll need will be 5% of the cost of the house you’d like to buy.
However, having a greater deposit (such as 10-15%), will give you access to lower interest rates and greater options on the market.
The amount you’ll pay per month will vary and be dependent on the value of your loan, terms of the mortgage and also interest rate that you are on.
PROTECTION
The type of protection you need will depend on your personal circumstances, and what you want to cover.
Our advisers will work closely with you to discuss your options and help you identify what type of protection you might need, and how to secure the right policies for you.
Life insurance helps protect your loved ones financially in the event of your death by paying them a lump sum or regular payments once you have passed away.
The amount of cover you buy will determine how much money is paid out.
Life insurance policy costs vary per provider, and also depend on the amount of cover that you’re after, as well as your personal circumstances.
Talking to an adviser can help ensure that you take out the right amount of cover that you need at an affordable price.
Home insurance is a type of protection cover which insures your home and its belongings.
Critical illness cover pays out a lump sum of money in the event that the policy owner gets diagnosed with a serious illness or disability.
Income protection insurance financially protects someone in the form of a replacement income if they were to become unable to work due to a long-term illness or disability.
INVESTMENTS
There are no definitive time lines for how long you should put your money away for, but the general guidance is that the longer you can leave your money untouched, the more chance that it has to grow and recover from any falls in value.
It is suggested that you invest your money for a minimum of at least 5 years.
The amount of risk that you are willing to take will greatly depend on your own circumstances, as well as your financial goals.
Our advisers will always consider your attitude towards risk before making any suggestions about your investments and conduct regular reviews to make sure they remain suitable.
It’s important to remember though that most investments do involve an element of risk and the value that you invest may fall and you may not get everything back.
Diversifying your investments can help spread your risk. By talking to our advisers, we can help you identify where best to invest your money in relation to your financial aims across different asset classes.
There are different types of investments, and they are all taxed in different ways and at different times.
Talk to our advisors today for more information.
You will normally find that investment companies send you regular statements either every 6 months or yearly.
You will also be offered a regular review service with your adviser, usually a face-to-face meeting once a year, or more regularly if you prefer.
PENSIONS
The state pension is a regular payment from the Government which begins once you reach state pension age.
The amount you will receive will depend on your National Insurance record.
The current state pension age in the UK is age 66 for both men and women. However, it will gradually be increased from 6th May 2026.
There is no minimum age to start building up funds for your retirement and paying into a pension.
You can currently pay up to £40,000 per tax year into your pension, or up to 100% of your yearly earnings/expected earnings per tax year if it is below £40,000.
Yes! As long as you don’t exceed the maximum allowance each year, you can have as many pensions as you like.
No. Pensions are individual arrangements.
There are many ways that you can withdraw money from your pension, and how you do it is all down to personal preference.
You can discuss retirement options with a financial adviser.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
Financial planning involves taking a look at your finances and understanding how you can make the most of your money to meet your financial goals.
All financial plans are unique and focus on your needs. However, they can generally cover things such as:
- Saving and Investment Planning
- Retirement Planning
- Estate Planning
- Goal Identification
- Tax Planning
- Property Planning
- Debt Management
- Financial Forecasting
- Investment Advice
- Building Up Emergency Funds
- Financial Reviews
Financial planning is an essential part of taking control of your financial life and can help you to identify your goals and set objectives on how to achieve them.
Yes! We know how important it is to feel confident and secure in your business’ financial decisions, and Corporate Financial Management is an integral business management tool which can help you do that.