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Demystifying Mortgages: How Mortgage Brokers Simplify the Process
6 min
Mortgage Brokers and the Mortgage World.
A mortgage broker specializes in offering you the best mortgage interest rates, provides help in obtaining a loan, and negotiates the terms for you.
They are your trusted partners, guiding you seamlessly into the realm of mortgages with convenience.
They make it convenient so you do not have to burden the load of forms, applications and all the other ordeals associated with them.
For those entering the world of mortgages anew, this article elucidates the role and functioning of a mortgage broker on your behalf.
Mortgage Broker
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A mortgage broker searches for the best potential mortgage rates and helps you sort all the paperwork.
- Think of a mortgage broker as the middleman between you and a financial institution or a lender from whom you are borrowing a loan.
- According to your financial situation and goals, a mortgage broker finds the best deal without any discomfort.
They do all the legal work of the mortgage approval process and are certified trained professionals working to make your life convenient.
Mortgage brokers help you by:
- Sorting all the paperwork for you without any hassle.
- Providing you with the best mortgage interest rate.
- Finding the best institution or lender for you.
Process
Your broker runs a check through your credit rating, history, verifies your income, and does all the legal work, and negotiates the best terms after this process.
After you find your ideal lender and interest rate, your agent will smoothen the process with the bank’s underwriting department till the closing day.
They can help you find the best deal in a short span.
Difference Between A Loan Officer And A Mortgage Broker
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The work of both a mortgage broker and a loan officer is the same, but they work differently.
Loan Officer
A loan officer works for an employer and can only offer you the interest rate given by that employer.
- They are employees who are provided salaries and bonuses and do not work independently.
- You cannot negotiate the term rate from a loan officer.
Mortgage Brokers
A mortgage broker is not an employee but works independently and sometimes under a firm.
- For their clients, they negotiate with different lenders to procure the best loan for you.
- They provide a broad selection for you so you find the best plan that suits your financial needs and goals.
How Does A Mortgage Broker Earn?
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A mortgage broker is one of the safest bets that pave the easy way to your ideal mortgage interest rate.
However, there is a cost associated with this convenient way.
- Your broker receives their payments from lenders mostly, but the borrower might also pay their payments sometimes.
- A broker is bound by the Dodd-Frank Act which prohibits them from receiving payments from both the lender and borrower.
- This act also prevents the brokers to not charge any hidden fees or a variable commission according to the borrower’s interest rate.
If you want to pay your broker yourself you can pay him. It is called “borrower-paid compensation”.
- The normal charging rate of a mortgage broker is 1% – 2%, so you must research well and opt for a broker that suits your financial goals and needs.
- It is a good idea to go through multiple brokers before choosing one.
However, their charges can vary according to market trends competitiveness, and the current housing prices.
Federal Laws limit the compensation of the broker to a certain extent.
Are Mortgage Brokers The Right Choice For You?
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Having a mortgage broker by your side will help you save valuable time to make you convenient, they also do all the paperwork for you for a fee.
- Preapproval with different lenders takes hours to apply. This is inconvenient for most people as they have a hectic schedule to meet their needs.
- During the preapproval process, you must communicate regularly with the lender so the transaction is smooth and remains on track.
- It gets solved by hiring a mortgage broker.
An integral factor that you must acknowledge is the lender fees associated with the mortgage, as it is not influenced by whether you are getting approved through a broker or not.
- After getting loan estimates from several lenders, compare what is the best according to your financial goals.
- Comparing different closing costs and fees will help you choose the right mortgage broker in one of the imperial decisions of your life.
How To Choose The Right Mortgage Broker?
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There are multiple ways to choose the right mortgage broker that suits your financial goals.
- You can ask your close ones and acquaintances who have previously hired a mortgage broker. Make sure they are not referring brokers that they haven’t worked with.
- You can ask your real estate agent to refer a mortgage broker.
- Some real estate companies offer their broker, but you are not obliged to hire them.
Choosing the correct broker is as important as choosing a lender. You must research and interact with several brokers to find the right one.
Better Business Bureau lets you know if your broker’s license stands well. You can also check your state’s professional licensing authority for the same.
Conclusion
If it’s your first time applying for a mortgage, a mortgage broker can ease the process and make it convenient. If you want to save time and remain stress-free, a mortgage broker is the best option.
