Using a Mortgage Broker vs. a Bank

Whether it's better to work with a mortgage broker or get a home loan directly from a bank depends on your financial situation and your preferences. For example, if you might have trouble qualifying for a mortgage or you place a high value on convenience, a mortgage broker could be worthwhile for you. On the other hand, working with a bank might make more sense if you’re comfortable crunching some numbers and you want to feel more in control of the homebuying process.

What is the difference between a mortgage broker and a bank?

Working with a mortgage broker vs. a bank is like working with a travel agent vs. booking a trip on your own. It might be less hassle on your end to work with a professional, but there can be tradeoffs for that convenience.

Banks are one type of direct lender; when you're getting a mortgage, the bank is directly lending you the money to buy a home. Other types of direct lenders include online lenders specializing in mortgages, specialty lenders that cater to certain types of home buyers (like companies that focus on military service members) and credit unions.

When you shop for a home loan with a bank or other mortgage lender, you're doing the legwork of figuring out whether that lender is right for you. So chances are, you'll find yourself setting up a spreadsheet or at least making a list to keep track of rates, fees and other considerations.

A mortgage broker serves as an intermediary between you and direct lenders, which include banks. After discussing your needs, mortgage brokers take care of most of the rest. They reach out to their contacts at direct lenders and come back to you with loan options that fit your criteria. The broker then works with you to figure out which loan best suits your circumstances and continues to facilitate the transaction through closing.

» MORE: How to get a mortgage

Pros of using a mortgage broker

There are several advantages to using a mortgage broker versus a bank. Doing the research and finding a mortgage lender on your own can match some of the benefits of working with a broker, but a mortgage broker may have access to more resources.

• Help with prep. You can start working with a mortgage broker reasonably early in the homebuying process. In addition to answering your questions about getting a home loan, a mortgage broker can help you gather the documents and information you'll need to apply for a mortgage.

• Access to various loans. A bank's loan officer can only present you with home loan products the bank offers. A mortgage broker, on the other hand, can help you obtain any type of home loan. If you're looking for a variety of mortgage that's less common, working with a broker can give you a shortcut straight to the relevant lenders.

• Customized assistance. Suppose you're someone who might not qualify for a home loan, or you have circumstances that require more explanation (for example, gaps in employment or a thin credit file). In that case, a mortgage broker may be able to help you find lenders amenable to your situation. Even if you're a borrower who wouldn't have any trouble getting a mortgage, a broker will meet with you (in person or virtually), go over loan options, highlight points of comparison and support you in making an informed decision.

• Convenience. Getting a mortgage is a time-intensive process. Even after doing all the due diligence to find the right bank for you, the application and loan closing process are intense, with lots of back-and-forth and requests for documents. A mortgage broker will generally handle the paperwork and lender-wrangling on your behalf, saving you time and stress.

Pros of working with a bank

Working with a mortgage broker isn't for everyone. If you feel comfortable talking to loan officers and want to be in the driver's seat, you may prefer working directly with a bank.

• Direct connection. If you're working with a loan officer at a bank, you're working with a bank employee. They should be able to address any issues right away. On the other hand, when you're working with a mortgage broker, they may not always be able to influence what goes on with the lender since they don't work for it.

• Potential discounts. While it may feel easiest to go with your existing bank when you're ready to buy a home, it's always a good idea to shop around to find the best mortgage rates. But do make your bank one of the options you shop, since many offer homebuying discounts to existing customers who use other products or services like credit cards, checking, or savings accounts. For example, if your bank offers you a competitive loan, getting a discount on closing costs or paying no origination fee might be enough to tip the scale.

• Lower fees. Mortgage brokers don't work for free, and if you use one, that could add to the cost of your home loan. Mortgage brokers earn a flat fee equal to 1% to 2% of the total cost of the loan. If you pay this as the borrower, it may be part of your closing costs or rolled into the loan amount. But often the lender will pay the mortgage broker — after all, the broker is bringing the lender business. Although that may look less expensive on paper, your lender might build the broker’s fee into the cost of your loan too. That price can have more variation, ranging from 0.5% to 2.75% of the loan amount. Mortgage brokers must disclose their fees upfront, so it's something you can ask about when you're looking for a broker. If you're paying the mortgage broker, they cannot receive additional compensation from the lender; either you pay or the lender does.

• Fewer people to manage. You might be able to cut out a lot of the headaches of the loan process by working with a mortgage broker, but you'll still have to do some research to find a mortgage broker in the first place. You'll want a mortgage broker who works well with you and also with your buyer's agent. If the relationship doesn't go as expected, you can change brokers — but then you're back to square one.