Independent mortgage brokerages serve as intermediaries between borrowers and wholesale lenders, earning fee and commission income on loan origination without holding loans on their balance sheet. The industry is highly cyclical, with revenue tied closely to interest rate movements that drive refinance volume, though purchase-focused brokerages demonstrate more durable revenue streams. Brokerages benefit from lower overhead than mortgage bankers and the ability to shop multiple lenders, giving them a competitive pricing advantage in purchase-heavy markets.
Who buys these: Private equity-backed financial services roll-up platforms, independent mortgage bankers, larger regional brokerages seeking market expansion, and entrepreneurial buyers with finance or lending backgrounds looking for cash-flowing service businesses
2.5–4.5×
Typical EBITDA multiple
$1M–$5M
Revenue range
Stable
Market trend
SBA Eligible
7(a) financing available
Minimum $500K adjusted EBITDA, established lender relationships with 10+ wholesale partners, at least 3 licensed loan officers beyond the owner, documented recurring referral sources, and trailing 12-month volume above $50M in closed loans
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Key items to investigate when evaluating a Mortgage Brokerage acquisition
Seller Intelligence
Who sells Mortgage Brokerage businesses?
Owner-operator mortgage brokers aged 50–65 approaching retirement, producers burned out by rate cycle volatility and regulatory burden, founding partners looking to monetize after building a team, and brokers seeking to join a larger platform while retaining some equity
Typical exit timeline: 12–24 months
Mortgage Brokerage businesses in the $1M–$5M revenue range typically sell for 2.5–4.5× EBITDA. Minimum $500K adjusted EBITDA, established lender relationships with 10+ wholesale partners, at least 3 licensed loan officers beyond the owner, documented recurring referral sources, and trailing 12-month volume above $50M in closed loans
Mortgage Brokerage businesses typically trade at 2.5–4.5× EBITDA in the lower middle market. The market is highly fragmented with stable demand, which puts pressure on pricing.
Mortgage Brokerage businesses are SBA 7(a) eligible, making them accessible to first-time buyers. Asset purchase with significant seller earnout tied to 12–24 months of retained loan officer production and referral source continuity
Key due diligence areas include: NMLS licensing compliance and state licensing status for all loan officers and the entity; Revenue concentration by loan officer and referral source to assess key-person risk; Loan volume trends normalized across rate cycles (purchase vs. refinance mix); Lender relationship agreements, compensation plans, and wholesale partner approval status; Regulatory history including CFPB, state regulator audits, and any consumer complaints.
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