When home buyers set out to find the home of their dreams, the key players working with them are their real estate agent and loan officer. The fact that most residential home purchases require mortgage financing makes the relationship between the loan officer and the real estate agent a determining factor in the success of the transaction.
The relationship between agents and loan officers is one derived from economic necessity. Real estate professionals need a knowledgeable and skilled financing expert to work with their buyers, and loan officers need real estate agents as a source of business referrals.
According to Johnny Quinn, a mortgage broker with MortgageDepot, the development of a good working relationship between real estate professionals and loan officers takes time and effort on the part of both parties. In his experience, communication and honesty are the two most important qualities real estate agents look for in a loan officer.
Communication and transparency
Once they have helped a buyer to find a home and agree upon the terms of the purchase, a real estate agent depends upon a loan officer to take over and handle the financing. Buyers, particularly those purchasing a home for the first time, have questions about financing the purchase, including:
- How does the process work?
- What paperwork and documentation will they need?
- How long will it take to be approved for the mortgage?
- What interest rate will they pay?
- What costs are associated with the loan?
A loan officer who is unwilling or unable to ease the fears and concerns of buyers places the real estate agent in the uncomfortable position of having to deal with telephone calls and visits to the office from irate buyers. “It is our primary job as loan officers to be there for our borrowers,” said Johnny Quinn. “MortgageDepot has procedures in place to ensure open communication between our mortgage brokers and the borrowers and real estate professionals with whom we work.”
Quinn emphasized how he reviews the application, disclosure agreements and other documents with his borrowers to address any questions or concerns they might have about them. This is in sharp contrast to some companies that routinely send documents to borrowers who must wade through them on their own.
Honesty
Real estate agents understand how problems can arise when buyers apply for financing. A buyer’s credit score, income or debt can create challenges. According to Quinn from MortgageDepot, no one wants to deliver bad news to a buyer or to the buyer’s real estate agent, but the worst thing a broker or loan officer can do is not be honest about problems.
A professional mortgage broker can help
Our mortgage brokers at MortgageDepot work with home buyers to find the best lender for them. We guide our borrowers through the lending process and are with them at every step of the way to answer their questions and address their concerns.
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