10 Question To Ask Your Mortgage Broker

 

MFAA Consumer Services - Checklist for choosing a Mortgage Broker

If you're planning to use a mortgage broker to help you find your perfect home loan, there is some information you should find out from your broker before you start.

 

A mortgage broker is an intermediary between borrowers and lenders. Mortgage brokers help borrowers choose an appropriate loan and assist them in the application process. Mortgage brokers usually don’t charge borrowers for their service as they are paid by the lenders with whom they arrange the loan.

 

 

Use the following checklist as a guide when choosing your mortgage broker

 

1. Is the broker an MFAA Accredited Mortgage Consultant (AMC)? An MFAA AMC has achieved a set education and experience level as part of their membership criteria, abide by a strict Code of Practice, and is a member of the Mortgage Industry Ombudsmen Service. You can check if you broker is an AMC by going to 'Search for a MFAA Member' on the MFAA website.

 

Yes, all brokers are Full Members of the MFAA and are Accredited Mortgage Consultants.

 

 

2. Which lenders does the broker have on their ‘books’? Some brokers may be able to offer loan products from over 15 different institutions, while others may only consider loan products from a couple of lenders. Make sure the broker deals with a spread of lender types (banks, mortgage managers and others). The larger and more varied the array of lenders and the number of loans, the better variety of choice you will have.

 

We currently have 36 lenders on our panel, however, this is constantly changing. They include the major banks, foreign banks, mortgage originators and non conforming lenders. To see a the full list click here.

 

 

3. How does the broker get paid? Make sure that the broker does not let the size of the commission they will be paid by a lender cloud their judgment. While some lenders pay higher commissions, brokers should not favour higher commission-paying lenders over others. Under the MFAA Code of Conduct, MFAA Members are required to disclose any commissions upon request.

 

We are paid by the lenders on our panel. We always look for the better option regardless of the commissions we are paid. We provide the most competitive quotes from a variety of lenders and allow you the client to choose the best option.

 

 

4. What fees does the broker charge? Ask the broker to clearly specify what fees and charges you will incur by using their service. Some brokers charge no fees – they receive a commission from lenders when borrowers take up a loan that was recommended to them. Others may charge you a one-off fee, and you should check what extra services you are receiving for the extra fee you may be paying. You will also need to check under what conditions any upfront fees should be refunded.

 

We do not charge fees for loans that are acquired from our panel of lenders. In most cases clients choose from our lenders because they are the most reliable and respected institutions in Australia and world wide.

 

 

5. Ask the broker how they compare loans and how they determine which loan is best for you. Comparing loans is not an easy task. Make sure the broker can provide you with a clear explanation of the methodology and criteria they use. Under the MFAA Code of Conduct, members must only offer loan products that clearly suit the client’s needs.

 

We have broker software that searches for the best loan suited to your needs. We implement a multi-factorial analysis where we look at your unique situation and match you to a product that has a low interest rate, low or nil upfront and ongoing fees and benefit from facilities associated with the loan. We provide cost comparisons between lenders and products to show you exactly how much the loan will cost you. We make extra efforts in contacting the lenders to verify their rates and fees are accurate.

 

 

6. Find out the Loan Comparison (or true) rate of the loans recommended to you. This rate takes into account the loan interest rate as well as upfront and ongoing fees and charges, to give a better indication of the actual cost of a loan. All brokers should be able to provide you with these rates. Under Federal Legislation Comparison Rate Schedules are to be provided for all loans offered.

 

We provide comparison rate schedules for all loans quoted based on your loan amount.

 

 

7. Ask if the broker is a lender themselves – you don’t want a mortgage broker recommending loans to you if they offer their own loans (unless you can be guaranteed that they always recommend the best loan for your situation and do not lean towards their own). If they are a lender, ask them to clarify why certain products have been offered for you, and get by your broker to give you a comparison of costs and product benefits (including their commission) for all products discussed.

 

We are not a lender, however, we have a wholesale lending product through Three Oceans Home Loans to offer our clients very competitive rates. To find out more click here

We only recommend loans based on your lending requirements and will always show you the best solution for your circumstances.

 

 

8. You are within your rights to ask for proof of professional qualifications, information on the broker’s experience or references from other clients. All MFAA AMC's are provided with certificates of attainment for MFAA compliance education and membership.

 

We are all members of the MFAA and have AMC status as a bare minimum. We can provide proof of our qualifications and experience if requested.

 

 

9. Does the broker have professional indemnity insurance? Make sure they do. It covers them in the event that they are sued for negligence or breach of professional duty. This means if you have to take legal action against them for some reason, they will be insured against this. All MFAA members are required to carry up to date professional indemnity insurance. All MFAA members are also members of the Mortgage Industry Ombudsmen Service, which is another layer of consumer protection for consumer dealing with MFAA members.

 

Smart Search Finance is insured with Vero Insurance Ltd to the sum of $2,000,000. We also have members of the Mortgage Industry Ombudsmen Service, a service for consumers for dispute resolution.

 

 

10. Ask what privacy guidelines they follow when handling your information. They should comply with the Privacy Act Credit Reporting Provisions and the National Principals for the Fair Handling of Personal Information.

 

Smart Search Finance  handles your personal information in accordance with the Australian Federal Privacy Act 2001.  Smart Search Finance also abides by, the Trade Practices Act, ASIC Act, the Fair Trading Act and the UCCC. Generally speaking we follow all the best practices that comply with all legal requirements associated with state and federal law.

 

 

 

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