Buying a home is one of the most exciting milestones in life. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or you’re ready to purchase your retirement home in Austin, Dallas, or Houston, you’ll have to consider how you can pay for it and what professionals to hire. Mortgage broker vs lender – what is the difference, and which one should you work with? Do you need both in Texas, or can you complete your transaction with just a lender?
In most cases, you don’t need to hire a broker, especially if there are high-quality lenders in your area. Working directly with the mortgage lender can save you money and speed up the process. Today, we’ll have a closer look at the difference between the two professionals, so you can determine whom you need to hire for your home purchase.
Mortgage Broker Vs Lender: What Is the Difference?
A mortgage lender is an organization that lends you the money you need to buy your home. This could be a bank or another financial institution, and they are qualified to issue loans. In contrast, a mortgage broker is a financial professional who works with people hoping to get a mortgage. They compare loans from various kinds of institutions and help borrowers to access a mortgage.
What Does a Lender Do?
Mortgage lenders are financial institutions that approve and finance home loans to individuals and companies. Many of them have brick-and-mortar stores, but some work entirely online. In fact, the pre-approval process can often be completed virtually, which saves you time and allows you to close on your dream home more quickly.
A mortgage lender is compensated through a number of fees related to the home loan, and they may or may not charge for advice. It’s often preferable to deal with them directly because this speeds up the process and is usually cheaper than getting a middle man involved. Many mortgage lenders work with loan officers, who help potential customers figure out which financial product is right for them.
What Does a Broker Do?
Mortgage brokers are “middle men” who bridge the gap between the mortgage lender and the home buyer looking for a loan. They help their customers choose from several banks and private financial institutions, and they compare quotes. While a broker might ask you to provide the same information as a lender, they are not qualified to lend you any money, but instead, they simply direct you to the right lender.
If you’re very unsure about the mortgage application process, you might be tempted to work with a broker, but it’s often best to go directly to a lender. Brokers sometimes charge high fees for their services, and you can get similar advice from your financial institution’s loan officer. What’s more, the process might be slower if more people are involved, so hiring a broker is not a good idea if you want to buy a property quickly.
Do You Need a Broker in Texas?
There is no law stating that you must use a mortgage broker, so you can choose to go directly to a loan officer. Sometimes, mortgage brokers’ interests don’t align with the borrower’s because the broker may be getting a larger fee from one institution than the other. If this is the case, they may push you towards a lender who is not ideal for your individual situation.
Additionally, there is no guarantee that you will get a better deal when you work with a broker than when you contact Texas financial institutions directly. If you have received advice from a broker, you should double check it. Contact the lender directly and see what rates they offer. You might be able to skip the broker’s fees and deal with the loan officer instead. It’s also worth knowing that not all lenders work with brokers, so you won’t get the full range of options.
What Will a Good Mortgage Lender in Dallas, Houston, or Austin Offer?
If you’ve googled “mortgage broker vs lender”, it’s likely that you’re ready to purchase a property soon. While contacting a mortgage broker might not be necessary, working with an expert like Home Loans with Gary is a great idea for anyone who would like to get good advice about the mortgage application process. People living in Austin, Houston, or Dallas should have a closer look at what we have to offer online to determine whether our services are suitable.
A good mortgage lender should not only help you get the best mortgage possible, but they should support you and advise you throughout the process. When looking for a suitable company, make sure they offer a friendly service and good communication. While you can find out a lot about an institution online, the best way to learn about their services is to get in touch directly.
The Consultation
The first step in the mortgage application process is your initial consultation with the lender. This is a great opportunity for you to get to know the company and your loan officer, so you can judge whether they are a good fit. The officer should always be friendly and welcoming, and they should respond to your emails and phone calls in a timely manner.
When you consult with the lender, you will be asked about your current financial situation and the kind of home you are looking to buy. Your loan officer can let you know how much money you need to save. They can also help you come up with short and long-term goals that allow you to meet the lender’s criteria more easily.
The Application and Pre-Qualification
Once you and your loan officer have decided that you’re a good fit, you can submit your initial application. You should give the loan officer as much information as possible, so they can assess which mortgages are suitable for you. There might be some forms to fill out, and you will be asked to submit proof for some of the points, such as your identity.
At the end of this application process, your loan officer can let you know what kinds of mortgages you qualify for, what down payment you’ll need, and how many properties you can afford. You can then start looking for suitable homes.
The Appraisal and Final Approval
Before you can purchase your property and get your loan, the house or apartment has to get appraised. This means that an unbiased third party will have a look at the home you want to buy to double check that the value it has been assigned is accurate.
Once this is complete, an underwriter will examine all your documents and make sure that you meet the required criteria. Here at Home Loans with Gary, we have an in-house closing department that collaborates with an attorney, so there won’t be any delays. As soon as you’ve met all the requirements for the final approval, you can get your mortgage and enjoy your new property.
Mortgage broker vs lender: what is the difference? A mortgage lender is the business that lends you money for your home purchase, and a broker is a company that helps you compare and interact with lenders. While both can be useful, many families in Austin, Houston, or Dallas save money by going straight to the lender. Get in touch with us at Home Loans with Gary in Texas to find out what types of loans you qualify for and to begin your application.
