Broker FAQs

What is a Mortgage Broker?

In simple terms, the broker is not a lender. He or she may work for a company that has a bank-sounding name, but they really serve as independent sales people representing a variety of banks and financial institutions who will ultimately make the loan and service the payments. The mortgage broker does not represent any one financial institution; therefore they act as your representative when shopping for a home loan. Mortgage brokers work solely on commission and they do not get paid anything if the loan does not close. It is in their best interest to get you approved and to secure terms that are beneficial and affordable to you. In contrast, your local bank can only make loans strictly according to the terms of what their institution is currently offering. Bank loan officers are typically compensated by a combination of salary and commission.

What are the benefits of using a Professional Mortgage Broker?

• Using a mortgage broker can help you to find a wider range of loan offers without having to do nearly as much work, and may even be able to find you loan options that you were previously unaware of or may not have even been able to apply for on your own.  Mortgage brokers use the relationships that they have built with lenders over the years to negotiate better rates and mortgage loan terms than an individual would be able to find on their own, helping you to save money both on interest rates and other costs that may be associated with your mortgage.

• Independent mortgage brokers have access to, and knowledge of, the entire mortgage market. Mortgage brokers are able to advise which lenders will consider your case and which lenders will not based on your individual circumstances.

• Mortgage brokers are also adept at sourcing mortgages for people with poor credit ratings. They will have access to many lenders who specialize in lending to people with adverse credit. If you are in this situation, you may find it futile to apply for a mortgage directly through a mainstream bank.
• Many mortgage brokers will even be able to bring you loan offers from banks and other lenders outside of your local area, giving you loan options that you might not have had access to otherwise.

• Another advantage of using a mortgage broker instead of applying for a mortgage loan at a local bank is the fact that many mortgage brokers are able to arrange a variety of different payment options. While local banks may have specific payment options that they use, your mortgage broker may be able to find a loan that fits your specific payment needs. With almost any lender you can make payments using automatic withdrawal, by making deposits into a specified account, by sending in a check or money order each month, or other payment options that your broker can specify for you.

• When dealing with a mortgage broker they will take care of a lot of the paperwork and chasing up of the lender for you.  All you have to do is complete one simple application form, which saves you the hassle of having to complete a form for each lender in which you are interested.  This is an effective way of getting a mortgage package to suit your needs while saving you precious time and reducing stress.

Should I use a Mortgage Broker to Refinance?

Should you later need to refinance your mortgage loan, using a mortgage broker can be a major asset here as well. They will be able to compare interest rates and loan terms for you easily, helping you to find the best deal available on your mortgage refinance so that you can adjust your mortgage as needed. Your refinanced loan may be with the same bank or mortgage lender that the broker connected you with when the original mortgage loan was taken out, or they may be able to find you a better deal elsewhere without you having to do all of the legwork of checking all of the lenders that the broker has access to.