In today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, technology is at the heart of business, and the mortgage market is no exception.
With a staggering 2.3 billion app downloads in the UK last year and more than 50.8 million smartphone users, accounting for more than three-quarters of the population, according to data reported by Business of Apps, mobile solutions are evidently central to how professionals connect with clients and unlock new opportunities.
Against this backdrop, The Intermediary speaks with Sarah Hartwell, national accounts manager at Property Circle, to explore how the company’s apps are helping mortgage brokers unlock hidden revenue streams, streamline client interactions, and stay ahead in an evolving market landscape.
What exactly does Property Circle do?
In addition to being a business growth technology company tailored for mortgage brokers, Property Circle is revolutionising the mortgage broking industry by offering tools that are both scalable and adaptable, catering to businesses of all sizes.
Our white label and ‘My Mortgage Advisor’ apps are designed not only for the immediate needs of brokers but to evolve with emerging technologies and market demands, ensuring brokers stay competitive.
How does your app differ from traditional customer management systems?
Our app goes beyond traditional CRMs by acting as a proactive opportunity generator. Traditional CRMs are often stagnant repositories of information, whereas our app dynamically processes data to identify profitable refinancing and remortgage opportunities.
It’s a tool that leverages data analytics to transform passive client databases into active, revenue-generating possibilities, providing insights that typical CRMs overlook.
Can you explain the app’s key features?
The key features include comprehensive client engagement tools which empower clients and streamline the broker’s workflow.
Our self-service options reduce friction by allowing clients to perform tasks like checking affordability and requesting mortgage quotes independently.
We facilitate opportunities for brokers to engage deeply with their clients by alerting them to potential savings or financial benefits, especially with our product expiry warnings and opportunity flagging features.
What’s the potential financial impact for brokers?
The potential financial impact is both immediate and long-term. By utilising our app, brokers can reclaim significant revenue otherwise lost to competitors through product transfers.
We’ve uncovered that brokers can unlock up to £240,000 in additional revenue over a decade. Moreover, by enhancing client retention and conversion through proactive communications, brokers can significantly boost their lifetime client value.
How do you see technology evolving in the mortgage sector?
Our vision for technology in the mortgage sector is to harness the advancements in AI to deliver predictive analytics and personalised client interactions.
AI will enable us to anticipate market trends and client needs, ensuring that brokers deliver bespoke, timely advice without losing the personal touch that builds trust and loyalty.
We aim to continuously integrate these technologies, ensuring brokers have the insights needed to thrive.
So when we talk about leveraging technology for product transfers, we’re looking at automatically tracking mortgage details. We can flag opportunities where clients might save money – and I mean significant money.
What sets Property Circle apart?
Property Circle stands out as a collaborative force in the industry, enhancing broker-client relationships rather than replacing them.
Our proactive service model addresses the industry’s reliance on new business, pivoting focus onto existing client bases.
With our market-timed solutions, brokers can efficiently navigate significant shifts like the ongoing surge in fixed-rate expirations, making significant market changes manageable and profitable.
How is Property Circle positioning itself to address or capitalise on these emerging trends?
Legal & General quoted that £385bn of mortgages are coming off fixed rates in 2025 – and that’s a 28% increase from 2024. Paragon did a webinar recently highlighting that 38% of all fixed-rate deals are ending this year. The market’s shifting back to being a 2-year market.
We’re positioning ourselves by developing technology that’s adaptive and intelligent. AI is going to be crucial.
We’re rebuilding our broker portal with a strong AI core that will help brokers mine opportunities more effectively. But – and this is crucial – we’re not replacing brokers. We’re enhancing their capabilities.
How does Property Circle gather and incorporate feedback from users to continuously improve its products?
We’re constantly talking to brokers, understanding their challenges. For instance, we know brokers are often reactive, dealing with last-minute requests like decisions in principle at quarter past six. Our app is designed to make the process more proactive.
