Working with a Mortgage Broker | Alberta Buyers
Most buyers need at least some financing (a mortgage) to purchase a home. The two most common sources of a mortgage are directly through a bank or through a mortgage broker. Typically, banks only offer their own mortgage products while mortgage brokers can source mortgage products from different lenders.
Interview questions for a mortgage broker
are you a licensed mortgage broker?
do you represent the borrower, the lender or both?
do I need to sign a contract?
what services do you provide and how will you help me?
do you charge borrowers a fee?
how do you receive compensation for your services?
how many lenders do you work with?
was most of your business done through one lender last year?
It’s important that borrowers understand the relationship they have with their mortgage broker.
A mortgage brokerage may:
represent the borrower (you);
represent the lender; or,
act as an intermediary.
Mortgage brokers have a responsibility to clearly explain their role to borrowers they’re working with.
When they are representing you, the borrower When a mortgage brokerage represents you, as a borrower, you are a CLIENT. They must act in your best interests at all times, and will owe you general, fiduciary, and regulatory obligations. These include undivided loyalty, confidentiality, full disclosure, obedience, reasonable care and skill, and full accounting. They will recommend financing options to you, advocate on your behalf, and provide you with confidential advice.
When they are representing the lender When a mortgage brokerage is representing the lender as their client, they will be acting in the lender’s best interests at all times, not yours. They can still work with you; however, they will treat you as a customer.
When you are a customer, the mortgage brokerage must:
treat you honestly and act with reasonable care and skill
gather information on the property you want to finance and on your financial situation
explain the lender’s options to you
complete the necessary documents and submit them to the lender
tell you about the transaction’s progress and pass along any communications from the lender to you
The mortgage brokerage cannot give you advice or act in any way that would be a detriment to their client, which is the lender. The lender has their undivided loyalty.
When they are acting as an intermediary A mortgage brokerage may act as an intermediary between you, as a borrower, and potential lenders. In this case, both you and the lender are customers of the mortgage brokerage.
The brokerage will facilitate the mortgage deal by gathering information, explaining the options, completing the necessary documents and keeping both sides apprised of the deal’s progress. They will not act to the benefit or detriment of you or the lender(s). Alberta mortgage brokerages often work as intermediaries when working with residential borrowers.
It is the mortgage brokerage’s decision Each mortgage brokerage decides its own business model. Some only represent lenders, some only represent buyers, and some will represent neither.
