Your mortgage
broker to-do list
By
Michael D. Larson
• Bankrate.com Get a description
in writing of the exact program being offered. Because many people who go to brokers
are getting specialized mortgages that may not be as straightforward as 30-year
fixed-rate loans, it's especially important to know what you want and know if
that's what you're being offered. That way, you can compare rates, fees and points
on an apples-to-apples basis. • Make
sure you get a detailed good-faith estimate and check that against your final
bill before closing. Brokers are sometimes paid by both the lenders who underwrite
the mortgages and the consumers who get them, and it's important to look at the
documents to make sure the broker isn't getting paid too much or double-charging
you. • Rate locks from a broker can be a
big trip-up if you're not careful. Get proof in the form of a signed document
that the lock has been executed if that's what you want to do. Keep in mind this
usually has to take place during business hours for the lock to be effective that
day. Missed faxes or other snafus can delay the transaction and leave you with
a higher rate if you're not on top of things. •
Think referral, referral, referral when it's time to find a broker. It's good
to have a broker who's nice; it's better to get rates and costs that are reasonable.
• Consider checking to see if your broker or mortgage brokerage has faced
state regulatory sanctions in the past. Most states maintain some kind of list
of people and companies who have been fined or had their licenses revoked. | 
