How To Work For A Mortgage Company

Continue Your Education On Mortgage Lending

Once you have your mortgage broker license, its your responsibility to keep up on the latest developments on mortgage lending in your area.

To keep your license current, youll be required to take a certain number of hours of continuing education courses each year. Its similar to what accountants, doctors, and lawyers go through, and it ensures that you can do your job accurately and will give your clients the most up-to-date mortgage loan information.

Brokering mortgages is a job that demands constant attention to the changing real estate and lending landscape.

Choosing A Career In Mortgage

It is often those career paths that give back to the community or enrich the lives of others that are the most rewarding. A career in mortgage is one industry that fits the bill.

People in these positions work on a regular basis to help individuals secure foundations for their families or commercial properties for new business opportunities.

To get a leg up in your career, you might look for jobs with better known companies or those that offer more opportunities for specialization. The larger the company, the harder it is to be noticed and move ahead but this can also provide a greater sense of security as these large firms typically have solid financial backing.

On the other hand, smaller firms may not have as much money available but they tend to give their employees more responsibility and room to grow.

Research Your State’s Licensure Requirements

Once you complete your pre-licensure courses, your next step toward becoming an MLO involves getting a valid mortgage origination license. State agencies issue these licenses, and each state has its own guidelines for obtaining MLO licensure. You also need to pay fees to receive MLO licensure, which varies by state.

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What Is A Mortgage Broker

Also known as “mortgage loan officers,” mortgage brokers connect homebuyers or homeowners with the best mortgage rate possible. They work on behalf of their clients to find the best interest rate and terms when it comes to a mortgage.

Mortgage brokers conduct thorough research on the latest interest rates and loan terms to offer their clients the best rates possible. Even if a broker develops a good relationship with a lending institution, they put their clients’ best interests at the forefront. Mortgage brokers know lending rates, terms and institutions, credit reporting and what criteria constitute credit eligibility.

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Mortgage Loan Officer Education Requirements

Since mortgage loan officers analyze the finances and credit of potential borrowers, a good place to start is a bachelors degree in business or finance. During your coursework, youll learn some accounting skills, including the ability to read financial statements.

If you need help getting started, check out these mortgage loan officer scholarships. They can help to cover some of the costs of your education so that you can focus on preparing for your career.

You dont always need a bachelors degree to land a job as a mortgage loan officer. Some banks will hire candidates who have several years of hands-on banking, customer service, or sales experience and are willing to learn on the job.

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Step : Set Up Your Business Phone System

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. Thats not the only benefit it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. Weve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2022 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Nextiva

Nextiva is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Start A Mortgage Brokerage Business In Your State

Select your state below for an in-depth guide on completing each of these steps in your home state.

How To Move Up The Latter Tips:

• Start by developing relationships with the lenders. The more number of lenders you connect with, the more borrowing options you can provide to your clients.
• Consider spending a few years in a mortgaging company. This will train you well and help you build the public relations skills required for a mortgage broker to survive the business. In any company there are several experienced brokers who can mentor you. This will be the best training you need to become a successful mortgage broker.

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Changing Jobs While Applying For A Mortgage

Changing jobs after youve applied for a mortgage but before the loan closes could wreak havoc on your application.

When you change jobs after applying for a loan, underwriters have to start their work all over again, basing your application off your new job. Plus, if youre changing professions, youd have a shakier employment history from the lenders point of view.

You may still get approved based on your new job, but only after some delays.

How To Find The Best Mortgage Lender

It is easier than ever to find a mortgage lender. Mortgage rates are readily available online on lender and rate aggregation sites, and many lenders aggressively post ads with their rates as a way to draw you to their website.

The banks or credit unions where you have accounts are good places to start on your mortgage loan search, as they might offer special rates and fees for customers. Its also easy to search online and find lenders as well as websites that aggregate informationincluding ratingsabout top mortgage brokers and lenders.

Finally, talk to friends and real estate professionals for referencesthey might be able to suggest a lender or broker that theyve worked with and can recommend.

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Obtain Your High School Diploma Or Ged

As previously mentioned, you dont need a college degree to become a mortgage broker. However, all 50 states require you to have at least a high school diploma to qualify.

Otherwise, you need to pass the General Educational Development Test . Youll earn your GED credential by getting a score of 145 in its four exams. This will serve as your diploma even if you didnt graduate from a conventional high school.

A college education is not required, but it can help to have finished a two- or four-year course in finance, accounting, , economics, or business administration. The principles learned from these disciplines can serve as a solid foundation for your day-to-day work.

Regarding previous work experience, you dont need one but having some type of relevant training is recommended. For instance, you can work at an established mortgage company for a few years to gain first-hand knowledge before striking out on your own.

Numerous mortgage brokers are former loan bankers or officers who eventually decided to work independently. Some are previously real estate agents who wanted to try the financial side of their trade.

Be Careful With Bonus Or Commission Income

Kyle Dickmann, president of Denver’s Dickmann Taxx Group, says that borrowers need to be cautious about taking on new jobs in which a large portion of their yearly salary will be made up of bonuses or commissions that can rise or fall. Lenders are more nervous about income that isn’t as steady as a traditional salary.

“The two-year job history is actually a bit overstated,” Dickmann said. “The bigger issue is how much of your paycheck is a fixed amount, like a salary, and how much is commissions or a bonus.”

Dickmann knows this. When he was a young attorney, he applied for both a mortgage and car loan without realizing that a large portion of his earnings included bonuses. His lender turned down his application for a mortgage, while his auto lender stuck him with a high interest rate.

The good news? If you can prove that your bonus or commission income is stable, lenders will accept it. This, though, requires time, and time isn’t something applicants have when they take on a new commission-heavy job just weeks or months before applying for a mortgage.

Dickmann, for instance, had to wait six months to show the bank that his bonus income was stable, and he had to prove this by showing his lender those six months’ worth of paycheck stubs.

“While job history is important, my experience has been that establishing stability in income can easily overcome the two-year job history limitation,” Dickmann said.

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Register And Establish Your Mortgage Brokerage

After you pass your exam and complete the required coursework, register your mortgage brokerage business. The requirements for registering your mortgage brokerage business vary by state. Register your business with various details like your business name and location through your state’s licensing authority.

As you register your brokerage, consider whether you want a physical location to provide your services or if you want an online brokerage business. Some states require you to have a physical location. If you opt for a physical location, consider the price of renting a physical space and its accessibility to your customers. If you decide to have an online business, consider creating a home office that allows you to work free from distractions.

Different Jobs Within The Mortgage Industry

There are many different career paths and job openings within the industry that include but are not limited to:

• Mortgage Broker: A Mortgage Broker is someone who doesnt work for any particular lender but rather a brokerage firm that shops various mortgage lenders’ interest rates and loan options on behalf of the client. Mortgage Brokers are usually commission-based.
• Mortgage Loan Originator: A Mortgage Loan Originator is usually any licensed individual who initiates a home loan. Loan Originators typically work with mortgage companies in which the origination, processing, and underwriting of the loan are all completed in-house.
• Mortgage Loan Officer: A Mortgage Loan Officer is a licensed mortgage professional who issues loan products on behalf of a bank, credit union, or other financial institution. Many times, Mortgage Loan Officers earn a base salary plus commission and are required by the institution to possess a bachelor’s degree.
• Underwriter: Sometimes referred to as a credit analyst, this role determines the creditworthiness of the borrower.
• Mortgage Loan Processing Assistant: This individual helps ensure that all the administrative tasks related to the mortgage lending or refinancing process are completed. This role offers a great way to get a feel for the nature of various mortgage jobs before fully committing.

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Best Mortgage Companies To Work For

National Mortgage News presents its third annual Best Mortgage Companies to Work For an awards program dedicated to recognizing the industrys premier employers and providing them with employee feedback highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.

The program is a collaboration between National Mortgage News and the Best Companies Group, which conducts extensive employee surveys and reviews employer reports on benefits and policies. The employee survey covers eight topics: Leadership and Planning Corporate Culture and Communications Role Satisfaction Work Environment Relationship with Supervisor Training, Development and Resources Pay and Benefits and Overall Engagement.

Following a thorough assessment of the organizations, the survey data was analyzed and the companies received an overall score that determines their rankings. The overall score comprises the employee survey and the employer questionnaire . To qualify for consideration, organizations with 25 or more employees need a minimum response rate of 40% while organizations with 25 or fewer employees need 80%.

Companies must opt-in to the rankings and participation is open to a standalone mortgage lender, mortgage broker, mortgage servicer, or mortgage unit of a diversified financial services firm with at least 15 permanent employees working in the United States. Not all companies that participate in the survey make the list. The survey also includes open-ended and demographic questions.

Mortgage Loan Closing Specialistresume Examples & Samples

• Conduct legal due diligence to identify and evaluate unforeseen risks of loan default or of adverse effects on property value
• Review, analyze, and comment on title
• Ensure all relevant documentation has been secured post-closing to satisfy audit, regulatory, and servicing requirements
• Assure compliance with investment regulatory requirements and with company policy on wiring of funds
• Develop positive customer relationships to enhance prospect of repeat business
• Facilitate resolution of any problems that arise with both internal/external customers
• Contribute to development of department practices and policies relating to loan closings
• Manage closing process for commercial mortgage loan investments under the supervision of a mentor
• Serve as project manager for commercial mortgage loan closings
• Two year paralegal degree or formal legal training or equivalent experience
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Excel programs required
• Real Estate experience strongly preferred
• Two year paralegal degree or formal legal training or equivalent
• 3-7 years experience in a related industry or minimum 2 years Real Estate experience

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Jump To Loan Officer Topics:

What the Future Holds for Loan Officers

So now as we lie in the wake of the housing bubble bust, are loan officers still making money? The answer is a resounding YES, but the number of loan officers has probably been cut in half, if not more in the past few years or so.

At the same time, the quality of mortgage loans at the moment isnt what is once was a few years ago.

It seems most of the smart money already refinanced, or made home purchases before values went up. And many of the remaining deals are tricky and/or riddled with hurdles and low credit scores.

In truth, it can always feel that way when youre trying to get a home loan approved a mortgage loan originators typical day will never be easy.

But theres always an opportunity for a loan officer, even if the market is in a down cycle or a lull. Even if mortgage rates arent as low as they once were.

Employment Confirmation Letter Template Template

When you apply for a home loan, the bank will need you to provide proof of your income.

Usually your payslips, tax returns, group certificates or a Notice of Assessment are enough.

However, a lender may sometimes require a letter of employment for a mortgage to prove your income or use it to verify the other documents youve provided.

You can ask your employer to use this sample letter as a template.

All they need to do is copy it onto their letterhead, amend the details, print, sign and fax it to your mortgage broker.

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What Are The Pros Of Working With A Direct Lender

Direct lenders can make funding decisions quickly since they control their own lending criteria. This allows them greater control over which customers get the funds that theyre seeking. Another advantage is that many large direct mortgage lenders are licensed nationwide, which means that they can help buyers from any state. When a borrower is looking to buy a home in another state, direct lenders can be a great source of help.

Apply For Your Mortgage Broker License And Get Your Mortgage Broker Bond

After you pass the exam and register your business, apply for your mortgage broker license. Determine your state’s requirements with the NMLS. Typically, you have to pass your exam, pay a licensing fee, get the right bond and submit your application to get your mortgage broker license.

You also need to get your mortgage broker bond to get your license. Having a mortgage broker bond protects your clients if you don’t follow your state’s rules of operating as a broker. It also helps you prove your validity to your potential customers.

The amount of a brokerage bond you’ll need depends on your state. It’s worth noting that you pay for a percentage of the total bond amount. How much you pay depends on various factors, including your financial history and your business details.

Once you determine the amount of bond you need, submit an application online. After you receive your bond certificate, sign it and send both the certificate and your license application to your state. After the state reviews and approves your application, you’ll receive your license. Once you have your license, you can start working as a licensed mortgage broker.

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What Is A Normal Shift Like For A Mortgage Broker

A mortgage broker’s shift depends on the needs of the clients. For example, a mortgage broker can choose to work from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and then continue working from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. to better fit their clients’ schedules. Mortgage brokers may also have irregular hours, working nights or weekends depending on their clients’ needs.

How To Find A Direct Lender

Investopedias best overall pick for direct mortgage lenders is Quicken Loans, better known as Rocket Mortgage. For those looking for a more modernized process, Better.com uses software that links to popular banks and tax prep software like TurboTax so you dont have to track down tax returns and statements to upload. If you prefer to work with someone local over a national company, then your local bank or credit union is a great place to start.

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Pros And Cons Of Using A Mortgage Broker

As with anything, there are both advantages and disadvantages to working with a mortgage broker. One of the biggest benefits of using a broker is that they can often find lenders willing to accept borrowers with bad credit, non-W2 income, and other unique financial scenarios. The biggest downside to using a broker is that it can be costly especially on a large-sized loan. If youre borrowing $500,000 and your broker charges a 2% fee, then youll owe $10,000 upon closing.

• They manage the entire rate-shopping and loan application process for you.

• They are not limited in geography and can often tap local, statewide and even national lenders.

• They can often have certain fees waived due to their lender relationships.

• They save time and offer faster application and closing processes.

• Brokers might use non-local lenders who are not familiar with your regions nuances and special requirements.

• You might not have access to larger lenders, as many backed off wholesale lending after the housing crash.

• Brokers may have less control over your loan file and how its processed, since it is not being handled internally.