MSMLE'S Daily Gem

Today MSM is providing home buyers tips on how to choose the right Lender.

Know the pros and cons of your options
There was a time when most home buyers obtained their mortgage loans through their banks or credit unions. Today, however, there are a number of additional home-financing providers.

Which one is right for you? Let's take a look at the options.

Mortgage banks
A mortgage bank is a direct lender; that is, bank employees alone review your application and make the decision to lend you money. Typically, the bank will sell your loan on the secondary market.
Benefits of a mortgage bank:

• Reliability: You probably know and trust your local mortgage bank. It is regulated by state and federal agencies and likely has strong ties with your community.

• One-stop shopping: You deal directly with the source of your loan.

• Savings: As the loan originator, a bank may save you money in the loan process and/or offer you better terms based on your total assets on deposit with the bank.

• Speed: A bank also may process your loan faster than other providers.

Risks of a mortgage bank:
• Limited choice: Mortgage bankers only offer their own programs. To comparison shop, you will need to speak with several lenders.

Mortgage brokers
A mortgage broker is a middleman who may represent the mortgage loan products of hundreds of different lenders. The broker's goal is to match you up with the loan product that best meets your needs at the best price. Once your loan is approved, you will usually deal directly with the loan originator or their mortgage service provider.
Benefits of a mortgage broker:

Variety: By shopping across a range of different programs and lenders, a mortgage broker may find you a better fit than a mortgage bank. 

Qualifying: A mortgage broker can best steer you to the national or regional lenders that are most likely to accept your application based on your financial and personal information. 

Savings: You may get a more favorable loan rate. 

Speed: A broker saves you time shopping for a loan. 
Risks of a mortgage broker: 

Hidden costs: Some mortgage brokers attempt to increase their profit by writing hidden costs into your loan. Best hedge: know the loan process and ask questions. 

Professional oversight: Unlike mortgage bankers, mortgage brokers are not subject to licensing and regulation in all states.
Banks, thrifts and credit unions
Most financial institutions offer a limited menu of loan products just as mortgage banks do. They typically hold mortgages in their portfolios or sell them on the secondary market.

Home builders and real estate agencies
Many large home builders and real estate agencies now own their own on-site mortgage company to make it easier to buy their properties. These affiliated companies may operate as a mortgage banker or broker.

Internet lenders
Mortgage lenders have proliferated on the Internet in recent years, offering fast, easy loans at competitive rates. Some are online channels of brick-and-mortar financial institutions or mortgage brokers, others are Internet-based banks or brokers.
Which lender is right for you?
Depending on your credit history and circumstances, you may benefit by using one source of mortgage loans over another. 

What kind of borrower are you? 
Excellent credit, easy access to financial documents, long-time employee of one company. Best source to shop: Internet lender, bank or mortgage bank.

Self-employed borrower, don't want to share data about income or assets with mortgage provider. Best source to shop: Mortgage broker.
Repeat home shopper, rate-and-term refinance customer, financially savvy. Best source to shop: Internet lender.

ARM shopper, "relationship" customer with many accounts at one institution. Best source to shop: Bank, thrift.

Convenience shopper, wants easiest loan to get even if it costs more. Best source to shop: Home builder or real estate agency lender. 
Tips for working with lenders

Get recommendations: Ask friends and family members for suggestions, especially if they've recently obtained a loan. 

Check credentials: Mortgage bankers are regulated by either your state's department of banking or division of real estate. Check with the one appropriate to your state to see if a lender is in good professional standing. Mortgage brokers may be state regulated or not. If not, check with the local chapter of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers or the Better Business Bureau to see if their record is clean. The Library of Congress has a good index of state and local government Web sites. 

Do your homework: Learn about typical mortgages and ask questions when something looks amiss; a broker may be trying to pad closing costs or other fees at your expense. 

Take care online: There are plenty of attractive deals online, but first make sure you're dealing with a reliable broker or lender. 

Extra care during peak season: Unscrupulous lenders and brokers are more apt to quote you bogus rates or slip in extra costs during peak home buying season, in hopes you won't notice.

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