Mortgage Brain's £8m turnover puts postcode affordability into focus

Mortgage technology firm The Mortgage Brain has reported turnover of just over £8 million for the year to June 2026, up from £6.6 million in the previous year. That is a rise of more than 21 per cent. The company has also set a longer term target of £12 million by June 2028.

The business provides sourcing and compliance software to mortgage advisers, and its rapid growth suggests that advisers are handling a high volume of mortgage applications. When a firm that serves the mortgage intermediary market grows at this pace, it often signals that the wider housing market is active. Even if interest rates and affordability remain challenging for some borrowers, the demand for mortgage advice clearly remains strong.

Postcode affordability in focus

The table below shows average property prices by postcode district. One district stands out: SR1 in Sunderland has an average price of £69,939, making it the cheapest postcode district in the data.

That £69,939 average is significant. For mortgage advisers, it shows that there are still parts of the country where a home can be bought for a price that is accessible to a wide range of buyers. In SR1, a borrower does not need a six figure salary or a very large deposit to get onto the property ladder. The average price is low enough that many first time buyers, investors and even second steppers can consider a purchase without overstretching their finances.

This matters for the mortgage market as a whole. Transactions in lower priced areas tend to happen in higher volumes, because the pool of potential buyers is larger. That creates a steady stream of mortgage applications, which in turn supports the growth of firms like The Mortgage Brain. The postcode data makes that link visible.

The full table is included as

. While we focus on SR1 here, the table allows readers to compare average prices across different postcode districts. SR1 at £69,939 is the lowest, which gives it a special relevance for affordability.

What the data means for mortgage growth

The Mortgage Brain's turnover of £8 million, with a target of £12 million by June 2028, points to continued expansion. Part of that expansion will come from areas where property prices are lower, such as SR1 in Sunderland. Buyers in these districts still need mortgages, even though the loan amounts are smaller than in more expensive parts of the country.

Sunderland's SR1 district, with its average price of £69,939, is a clear example. A mortgage on a property at that price is manageable for many borrowers, and the volume of such mortgages can be high. Mortgage advisers who work in Sunderland and similar areas need accurate, up to date postcode data to give their clients the right advice. That is where Postcodes UK adds value.

The growth at The Mortgage Brain is not just about larger loans for expensive homes. It also reflects the many smaller mortgages taken out in places like SR1, where a home can be bought for under £70,000. That kind of activity keeps mortgage sourcing platforms busy and helps explain the rise in turnover from £6.6 million to £8 million.

For borrowers in SR1, the average price of £69,939 means that homeownership is within reach. The mortgage market works best when it serves all price points, and the postcode data shows that affordability still exists in Sunderland.

The data behind this

This article uses data from HM Land Registry, the ONS census, and the Postcodes UK database. The news figures are from The Intermediary. The table shows average property prices by postcode district, with SR1 in Sunderland recorded at £69,939.

In response to reporting by The Intermediary. Analysis and figures by Postcodes UK.