Mortgage lending brokers assist borrowers in securing and qualifying for a loan, regardless of their credit status, self-employment status or other special financial circumstances. These agents can be invaluable resources to anyone buying a home, regardless of who has good credit, is self-employed or otherwise facing unique financial obstacles.
Borrowers can save time and money by comparing loan products from different lenders. Furthermore, they assist borrowers in refinancing their current mortgages to find the most competitive interest rates.
Brokers typically possess more contacts and expertise with the lending industry than either real estate agents or bankers do. They can suggest lenders who specialize in loans for certain types of borrowers, such as first-time homebuyers or those with poor credit scores.
In addition to recommending lenders, mortgage brokers can also assist borrowers in completing the entire mortgage process faster and simpler than working directly with a lender. This includes connecting them to the underwriting department, title company and administrative staff of the lender so everything is on track for closing.
Their job is to research a wide selection of loan options and recommend them to their clients. To do this, they assess each borrower’s financial history, debt-to-income ratio and creditworthiness to identify which mortgage might be most suitable.
No matter which mortgage you select, a broker can help you save money by waiving fees associated with applying and receiving one. These include application fees, appraisal fees and origination charges.
Fees associated with loans are usually calculated as a percentage of the total loan amount and may be paid by either the client, lender, or both.
Broker fees are not a fixed rate of interest; they can increase if the terms of your mortgage change. These changes could affect your monthly payments and total cost over life of loan.
They may not always be your best options:
A mortgage broker may not have access to as many lenders as a bank or other lending institution. This could mean they don’t have access to competitive loan products such as those offering competitive rates and terms.
Additionally, they might not have the same access to loan programs available to those with special financial situations such as self-employed borrowers or those seeking to purchase in a different city.
For consumers, the process can be somewhat confusing due to the range of loan programs available.
If you’re searching for a home in an unfamiliar area, a broker can connect you with lenders who are familiar with the area and may provide mortgages with better terms than your local bank offers.
They can save you the hassle of searching around for a mortgage and help you locate a lender with an excellent track record for those in your situation.
Before hiring a mortgage lending broker, it is wise to interview them first in order to guarantee you’re hiring a professional and experienced consultant. This will enable you to select the right fit for your needs as well as get an impression of their communication style throughout the process.