When it comes to getting a mortgage loan, borrowers are often unsure about whether to go directly to banks, or work with mortgage brokers. On the surface, it would seem that doing business with banks is the wisest decision to make because they have the money, and, consequently; will offer the best interest rates at the lowest loan costs.

Unfortunately, because many borrowers believe that brokers are nothing more than middlemen, or liasons, to those with the money, aka the banks, they must charge "mark-ups" for it to their borrowers, so; obviously, working with brokers would be costlier than working with banks, right? Actually, the answer to that question, way more often than not, is a resounding "NO." However, it all depends upon the mortgage brokers that borrowers select.

If these brokers are partnered with enough quality lenders that have a variety of loan programs (we have 39 with 1,000+ loan programs), the borrowers' chances of getting loans that are ideally suited to their particular needs are far greater than they could ever get with any one bank that may offer just 25 to 50 loan programs. It's really all a numbers game.

The more options borrowers have, the better their chances are of getting the best loans. In addition, because of the conservative nature of banks, many excellent, more aggressive loan programs that are available through brokers are not even offered by banks, eliminating the possibility for borrowers to be exposed to these programs, much less have an opportunity to choose them.

One of the primary reasons that banks' interest rates and costs are, typically, higher than those offered by brokers is because of their overheads. They have to pay for their buildings, all the furnishings in them, and dozens, if not; hundreds of employees on a daily basis. Where do you think the money comes from for all of these expenses? The answer, of course, is from interest rates and loan costs.

Mortgage brokers, on the other hand, normally don't have high overheads so the savings they realize because of this can be passed along to their borrowers in the form of lower interest rates and loan costs. I personally did a refinance for a client who was a week away from closing her loan with Chase Bank when we started talking, and the loan I structured for her saved her about $300 monthly compared to the loan from Chase. Quite honestly, that even surprised me.

Granted, it is very feasible that borrowers may get their banks' best loan programs, interest rates, and lowest costs, but these loans most certainly will not be the best ones for them. That can only be accomplished by working with professional, competent, knowledgeable loan officers representing reputable and honest mortgage brokers. Borrowers should seek them out in order to find the most advantageous loans for them and their families.