Why Some Lenders Can Offer Lower Rates Than Others
By Shmuel Shayowitz | April 08, 2021
Competition is usually beneficial for consumers, especially when it comes to comparable offerings. When suppliers know that their product can be shopped and matched, it often prompts them to deliver their best price upfront. Despite over 90% of conventional loans being sold to the same FHFA Agencies, not all loan sources are equal when it comes to getting “the best deal” for their clients.
Let’s start with “margin.” Typically, the margin is the profit that a particular lender or bank is looking to make on a given loan. Of course, pricing varies at the different mortgage companies, but quite common is the fact that larger organizations need to incorporate their massive overhead and infrastructure costs into the equation. More hierarchy and layers of personnel mean more “touches” and a higher cost-per-loan, resulting in a higher rate or fee to the consumer. When dealing with an independent mortgage broker, they also have their compensation added into the equation, which often impacts the consumer’s offering.