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Loan officer secrets revealed! The "What would you like to make" sheet.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Northern Virginia Homes - FRANKLY REAL ESTATE Inc

Ok, loan guys, you are up next!

My entire public blog is dedicated to revealing all the Myths Tricks and Truths from Realtors.

Now I'd like to dabble in revealing a lending trick that many consumers and some Realtors might not realize.

What they don't realize is HOW lenders really get paid. It is obvious for Realtors based on our public commissions, lenders fees are backloaded, front loaded or sideloaded. I dont mind people making money. I dont mind people making a lot of money. I DO mind their customers not understanding HOW they make money. 

Consumers call a lender and they get a quoted rate. What consumers don't know is that a lender is actually looking at a piece of paper that essentially says on the top "What would you like to make today" On the left hand side are 3-6 rates and on the right hand side is their commission. The higher the rate, the higher the commission.

Some lenders will pick one line and stick to it (a great way) but some will go fluctuate. Here is a possible translation:

ACTION) "Mary Sue said that I MUST use you, no questions asked, since you were that good."

RESULT) Rate is quoted 1/4th of a point higher. No competition, equals more profit

ACTION) "Hello I am talking with 2 other brokers, what is your rate"

RESULT) Lender scrolls down the sheet and quotes a lower rate.

Mortgage guys, am I a complete idiot and off base here?

And I am NOT an advocate of beating down 3 or 4 lenders until the cheapest guy wins. My mom used to do that.

Next up, my points debate! Who is pro points and in what circumstances?

Frank 

(let me know about typos, it is late and I dont like looking stupd.)

 

;-)

 

Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer
Wow!  I want to see some comments here!
Mar 10, 2007 05:00 AM
Ellie McIntire
Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD
Luxury service in Central Maryland
I always give buyers that ask for my advice at least 4 business cards from LENDERS. I will never refer business to a broker- too many bad experiences in situations where buyers have found there own "loan shark"
Mar 10, 2007 06:27 AM
Tchaka Owen
Galleria International Realty - Hollywood, FL

Frank, I do not think you're off-base.  I do believe that all borrowers should ask questions though.  When I get referrals who automatically trust me, I tell them to talk to a competitor so that "they'll know how good I really am".  >:-)

Yes, I want to make a good amount of money but taking care of the client is the most important.  And as Chris points out, it's not all about the rate.  I have had situations where I've battled way low on a rate, other times when I haven't.  Either way, I make sure the client is happy.

Ellie, it seems that you got burned in the past, but you are doing your clients a disservice by only sending them to lenders.  You might like lenders but they can rarely match a good broker.  Simple and plain.  You can debate me all you want and you'll lose.  As an FYI, I am one of a number of loan officers who dispense unbiased advice in the Mortgage Forum of CreditBoards and our advice to newbies is to get at least 3 quotes, 1 from a broker, 1 from a lender and 1 from their bank or CU.  We suggest this because there are certain instances where lenders or banks have specialized programs that brokers do not have access to.  Another reason is because we know a bank or CU will not gouge the client so if the broker selected is a bad apple, the client has another option.  That aside, a good broker will almost always win out, not just in terms of rates but in terms of breadth of access to programs.  A lender's portfolio will not compare to the 100 portfolios I have access to.  Sorry.

If you want to do the best for your clients, find one or two ethical brokers and add them to your portfolio of trusted partners, hand their cards out too and let your clients work with them.  If they screw up, you will know - because even if your client doesn't know, you still get to see the final HUD1.

Tchaka

ps- I am a broker. 

 

 


Mar 10, 2007 03:06 PM
FRANK LL0SA Esq.- Northern Virginia Broker .:. FranklyRealty.com
Northern Virginia Homes - FRANKLY REAL ESTATE Inc - Arlington, VA

Hey Chris,

Agreed, not all lenders are equal, but for somebody randomly shopping around, they should know that there is such thing as a "what do you want to make today" sheet. You have a great approach to always have a good rate, but I doubt that is the norm.

 

Frank     

Mar 11, 2007 04:04 PM
Angelo Cusinato
First Centennial Mortgage - Barrington, IL
CRMS, CMC, Mortgage Specialist NMLS # 207204

Hey Chris, if I am looking for a 7/1 ARM for $300,000, 70% ltv, no cash out refinance, fee simple townhome in Virginia, what are you offering today with no points?  What would be the closing costs?  And what do you plan on making on the deal?  I prefer no escrows.

I am asking for a friend - I am a broker in Illinois.

Jan 06, 2010 02:13 AM
Tchaka Owen
Galleria International Realty - Hollywood, FL

I would ask why your client would want a 7/1 ARM in today's market.

Jan 06, 2010 02:40 AM