Mortgage agents are a key part of any real estate transaction. They are able to help their clients in a wide variety of ways, and can often be a huge benefit to homebuyers. Because of this, it’s important to learn more about how mortgage agents are paid.
Average base salary
If you are considering a career in the mortgage industry, you are probably wondering just what the average mortgage agent makes. The short answer is that the average mortgage agent makes less than $52,000 a year. It’s not a job you want to jump into without first making sure it fits into your long term career plans. You may even need to check out other more lucrative options, such as a loan officer or loan specialist.
A mortgage agent does a number of things, but the most important is arranging financing for a borrower. This can be as simple as working with a large banking institution or as complex as dealing with multiple lenders. Depending on your skill set and local market, you might be dealing with one lender or a dozen.
There are a handful of other responsibilities you’ll need to master, such as a solid understanding of mortgage regulations, legal and regulatory issues, and credit policy and risk assessment. Having a clear picture of the mortgage industry will give you a leg up on your competition.
A mortgage agent is an individual licensed by the FSCO. Unlike a loan officer, a mortgage broker doesn’t issue loans. Instead, they act as the middleman, arranging loans with other lenders, usually with an eye towards the betterment of the lending institution. Often, the mortgage lender will pay the mortgage agent a commission for arranging a loan. Typically, the commission will be in the range of 1% to 2% of the loan amount, with an agreed upon commission structure. TD Canada Trust is another lender that will pay its mortgage agents.
Mortgage agents aren’t for everyone, but if you are the type who values the finer things in life, this could be the job for you.
Commissions
Mortgage agents are individuals who work with a mortgage lender to arrange financing for a client. They earn commission from the lender and can be paid in a number of ways.
A mortgage broker’s salary can vary, depending on their experience and the type of work they do. They can earn a salary plus a commission or they can receive only compensation in the form of a loan point.
There are many types of lenders in the mortgage industry. Some are institutional lenders, while others are individual lenders. In either case, they pay the broker a commission. The amount is usually a percentage of the total loan amount. For example, if a borrower is approved for a $300,000 loan, the broker can earn up to five points.
However, it is not uncommon for brokers to be paid less than the commission offered by the lender. This is because of the volume-based model of remuneration. It is important for the lender to ensure the incentives it offers don’t lead to poor customer outcomes.
Brokers who receive a commission from the lender must adhere to a specific compensation plan. It is based on how often a broker completes a certain number of applications without errors.
There are also certain fees that a borrower pays to the mortgage broker. These fees can be deducted from the loan amount or they can be paid at closing.
Commissions are usually 0.15% of the loan balance. This works out to be $600 per year on a $400,000 loan balance. Depending on the loan terms, the commission can be higher.
In addition to the upfront commission, borrowers may also be charged a renewal fee. When a loan expires, a broker can receive a lump-sum payment.
Fees to homebuyers
When it comes to negotiating the closing costs on your home, it’s a good idea to know how much lenders and mortgage agents charge. This can help you decide whether to pay these fees in cash or roll them into the total loan amount.
Lenders may charge other costs, such as an underwriting fee, that are not listed on your loan estimate. Some lenders require you to pay a deposit of two months’ worth of property taxes at the time of closing. However, many online lenders don’t charge this fee, as well.
Mortgage brokers will usually offer you a fixed rate loan, unless you’re willing to go with an adjustable rate. You will likely have to pay interest on these charges throughout the life of the loan.
In addition to mortgage costs, you’ll also have to pay title insurance. A title insurance policy protects you from claims that the title to your home doesn’t belong to you. These costs can add thousands of dollars to your final home purchase.
Many states have low-interest loan programs. Some counties offer grants to assist with the costs. Also, some communities have HOAs. You can join these associations to take advantage of perks, such as common area maintenance. There are also monthly HOA dues, which you’ll need to pay if you live in a community with a HOA.
Some loan products will require you to have additional inspections, such as a pest inspection or wood-destroying organism report. Depending on the state, these inspections will cost you. Other expenses include property tax checks and prepaid costs, which cover prepaid interest on your mortgage.
Depending on where you live, some of these costs can go as high as thousands. You’ll need to negotiate these costs with your broker or lender.
Among many other things, David A. Grantham is a contributing author to UmassExtension West Vancouver Blo. He is a renowned expert on real estate in BC.
Born in North Vancouver, Louisiana, Dr. Grantham grew up in Lower Lonsdale. He then went on to complete his business degree at the University British Columbia. As of this writing, Grantham has completed over 100 projects, including the development of a high rise building in Vancouver.
He is a husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He was a dedicated outdoorsman and enjoyed sports such as hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and snow skiing. His wife, Alison Grantham, and their two daughters survived him. He is survived by his wife Alison Martin Grantham and two daughters.