Mortgage Broker vs Bank Specialist Maury Dawson, AMP Apr 16, 2009 - 6:09:00 PM RSS?

Do you know the difference between a Mortgage Broker and a Bank Mortgage Specialist?

There are actually a number of differences which you may not be aware of.

Here’s some information to help you understand.

• The benefit of using a Mortgage Broker is the fact that they have the ability to offer you mortgage products from a number of financial institutions. Because a Bank Specialists works for the bank, that means that they can usually only offer you their institution’s products.
  
  
• Brokers are typically paid the same amount no matter what rate is offered to the client. Bank specialists’ rate of pay is generally reduced in direct relation to the amount they discount your rate from the bank’s posted rate.
  
  
• Depending on your Province, Mortgage Brokers must be licensed and are subject to a strict set of requirements. Accredited Mortgage Professionals (AMP) must take continuing education courses in order to maintain their accreditation. Bank specialists are not licensed and require no formal training.
  
  
• Because Mortgage Brokers don't work for a specific lender, your assured that you will be given impartial advice. A bank specialist has a limited number of their own institutions products and while it may not be the best mortgage product out there, they will do their best to sell you their institutions mortgage product cause if they don't your going somewhere else.
  
  
• Mortgage brokers use their knowledge and experience to negotiate the best possible rate and product for you from a number of lenders. When you see a bank specialist, that mortgage negotiating is typically left up to you.
  
  
• For conventional financing, the services of a mortgager broker are generally provide at no cost to you. If there is a cost, you will be advised of those costs up front.
  

So in conclusion, if you have the ability to use the services of a professional Mortgage Broker and have that Mortgage Broker do all your mortgage leg work at no cost, why would you not take advantage of the offer?

FYI, Today, 75% of people in the United States use mortgage brokers. Because the Mortgage Brokerage Industry is relatively new in Canada, the numbers are lower, however, those numbers are increasing every year.

Suggested Resources

Canadian Mortgage Calculator - Calculate mortgage payments, amortization schedules, interest costs and more. The more you play with it, the more you’ll see what it can do.

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Versa Mortgages - Mortgage solutions for Canadians.