For those who are completely new to the mortgage field, this article covers the basics. A mortgage occurs when a property is charged by a creditor as debt security. Mortgages are popular in the banking industry today and they influence interest rates because of their importance. Mortgages are paid off over a long period of time, in many cases over a thirty-year period. Despite the fact that they are paid over a long period, mortgage charges take up a significant part of the monthly salaries of most people.
What is a mortgage broker?
Having established the ideology of what a mortgage is about, it’s important to know what mortgage brokers are. A mortgage broker is an intermediary that negotiates mortgage loans for individuals, groups, and business organizations. A mortgage broker may either work on behalf of a bank or lending institution, or be independent. In many cases after mortgage brokers working on behalf of institutions have obtained vast experience in the field, they move on to become independent mortgage brokers, otherwise known as private mortgage brokers.
How are mortgage brokers paid?
Although mortgage brokers can be paid in a variety of ways, in most cases they are paid by the lenders. Consequently, this implies that they offer services free of charge to their clients. While many brokers are paid by their lenders, other brokers charge clients a small fee for their services. It’s important to understand that private brokers can freely set their service prices and preferred mode of payment since they operate independently. When dealing with mortgage brokers, it is important to know if you’re dealing with a broker who works with an institution or with an independent broker. Before hiring the services of a mortgage broker, ask questions about fees and payment mode. This is especially important if you’re transacting with a private broker.
Like other businesses, there are some downsides to note when transacting with corporate mortgage brokers. The major downside is that they do not have access to funds being requested as fast as possible, especially in cases of emergencies. They have large numbers of clients to process funds on their behalf and may not be able to process loan requests within a short amount of time. Mortgage brokers working for financial institutions typically have less experience. Conversely, independent mortgage brokers have acquired vast experience and can process loan requests much more speedily. This experience helps them bypass undue hierarchies, prepare paper work, and present loan requests to the right bank official directly and get prompt response after the loan request.
What advantages do independent mortgage brokers have over corporate mortgage brokers?
Independent mortgage brokers have a very unique edge that makes them very proficient in service delivery. One advantage of using independent brokers is the array of information and deals to which they have access. Because they transact with multiple lenders, they are well connected and have in-depth knowledge about the ins and outs of brokerage service. It is safe to say that the independent broker is connected to a large number of lenders; some are connected to over twenty lenders. This variance gives you alternatives and the ability to make choices that suit your best interests.
This makes the services of an independent service unique and worth potentially several thousand dollars depending on the property value for which a mortgage is being sought. For example, a mortgage of $100,000 at about 1% lower interest rate over a thirty year period saves $30,000 depending on when interest on the principle amount is recalculated.
In the mortgage industry, mortgage fraud is a cause for concern and there’s need to determine credibility before transacting with a mortgage broker. In the United States for example, the credibility of a mortgage broker can be easily ascertained by checking with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB provides business ratings so you can get detailed information about the proficiency, history, and other important business accreditations of a mortgage broker. In other countries similar organizations provide similar services and you can look up information on any mortgage broker of your choice and even read reviews about them if they have functioning websites.
Things a Mortgage Broker Does for You that a corporate broker cannot:
- Wide scope of honest advice
Trained corporate brokers are limited compared with independent brokers, and corporate brokers only have knowledge about the institution they represent. An independent broker has vast experience and offers varieties of options that best meet your interests.
- In-depth education
Your mortgage broker’s job is to help you understand the different mortgage products that are available for your credit and income level. Your broker can help you develop an action plan so that even if you don’t qualify for a better mortgage now, you’ll be able to get a better rate after implementing the plan.
- Help negotiate preferential transactions
Corporate brokers are not hinged on fixed rates; they can help you look into your financial records and help determine the right lender and rates to apply for. A corporate broker may help you in securing lower rates, but you don’t have valid guarantees that these reductions won’t be cancelled out by hidden fees. Independent brokers know the loop holes, can identify pitfalls and hidden clauses in paper work, and help you save lots of money in the long run.
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