How Top Real Estate Agents Vet Loan Officers

Learn how top real estate agents find and vet the loan officers they recommend to their clients. Even if you’re not a real estate agent, you can learn from the pros what to look for in a mortgage loan officer as you secure the financing to buy your home or vacation property.

QUALITIES TO LOOK FOR IN A LOAN OFFICER

If you’re in the market to buy a new home, it’s helpful to know the steps that you’ll be responsible for, what your real estate agent will help you with, and what you’ll need to look toward your mortgage loan officer for help. If each of you are clear on your roles, then financing and closing on your dream property will be a smooth and easy process.

LOOK FOR A TOP CLOSER IN A LOAN OFFICER

Summit Mortgage has a helpful mortgage loan guide that details the twelve steps from initial consultation with a mortgage loan officer to closing on your home. To accomplish each step, you’ll want to find a savvy real estate agent and an experienced loan officer who can work successfully together to help you accomplish each step in a timely fashion.

One of the top questions that a seasoned real estate agent will ask when they are vetting a new loan officer is:

What is your closing rate? How successful are you at helping your clients go from initial consultation to financing their home?

When you find your loan officer, ask them how they will guide you successfully through the loan application process.

Ask how your loan officer will alert you of important deadlines in your mortgage application process.

A handy checklist (such as the one found in Summit Mortgage’s Homebuyer Guide) can help you to understand:

• what you, as the homebuyer need to do
• what your real estate agent will take care of, and
• what your loan officer will need to accomplish

Summit Mortgage’s online loan officer tools also make it easy for your loan officer to communicate with you and your real estate agent. By having everything organized online, everyone will know what steps have been accomplished in your loan application process, and what is yet to come—in real-time—as they are completed.

LOOK FOR A LOAN OFFICER WHO KNOWS THE BEST LOAN TYPE FOR YOUR NEEDS

A top real estate agent knows that not all homebuyers should apply for a conventional, fixed-rate loan if there is a better mortgage program available for their needs.

When a real estate agent is vetting a new loan officer, they will check to see if the mortgage advisor understands which type of loan is best for each type of client. They will also see if the mortgage company offers a wide variety of loan types to choose from.

For example, did you know that there are Down Payment Assistance Programs to help qualified buyers cover their down payment and/or closing costs? A top loan officer will know about these programs and help their clients to find out if they would qualify for assistance from state grants, loans, or tax credits.

Summit Mortgage offers a wide range of mortgage loan programs to suit all types of buyers. Here is an overview of our mortgage programs:

LOOK FOR A LOAN OFFICER WHO EXPLAINS LOAN TERMS CLEARLY

Finally, when top real estate agents vet a new loan officer to refer their clients to, they look for someone who can explain key financial terms without using industry jargon.

For example, ask your loan officer to explain to you, as a homebuyer, how they will advise you on locking in your interest rate during the initial processing of your loan application. This rate lock decision alone can cost (or save) you thousands of dollars over the life of your 30-year mortgage.

If you can’t get the gist of their reasoning, keep searching until you find a mortgage advisor who speaks your language.

These three pro tips on how top real estate agents vet their recommended loan officers can save you, as a homebuyer, time, and money. Now that you’ve read this blog, you’ll be ready to vet your own loan officer. Real estate agents are an excellent source for qualified loan officers. We’re happy to share their insider tips to help you get the most out of your loan officer and real estate agent relationship.

Have questions? Want help getting started? Complete our Quick Start Form and we’ll connect you with a loan officer that matches your specific needs. They’ll provide a free consultation and guide you through every step of the loan application process. Or call us at (800) 466-3133. We’re happy to help you understand your loan options and be a trustworthy partner with your preferred real estate agent.