Getting on top of your mortgage so you can pay your loan off faster and potentially save thousands of dollars on your home loan is possible with a plan and consistent effort. There are mortgage reduction strategies that you can put into place that will ensure that your loan is paid off more quickly without putting a huge strain on your current budget. The following tips are designed to help you pay off your mortgage as quickly as possible.

1. One of the most important things you can do to accelerate paying off your mortgage is to make a more frequent repayments. If you can arrange to make weekly payments as opposed to monthly payments you’ll actually end up making the equivalent of 13 monthly payments each year instead of 12 therefore saving you money by reducing the term your loan. In order for this to be effective it is important that you make sure that your home loan has interest that is calculated daily. You do not want a home loan that calculates interest on an average monthly balance.

2. The second thing you should do to speed up paying off your home loan is to make extra payments whenever possible with any extra money but you might come by. For example you might use your tax return, a bonus from work, or an inheritance to make an extra lump sum payment on a loan. This will go a long way toward reducing the principal of your loan. If your loan has a redraw facility you will have the flexibility of being able to access these extra payments if necessary.

3. Another thing you can do in order to reduce the principal of your loan is to have your regular income paid directly into your loan balance. You could then use a credit card to pay your daily expenses. At the end of each month you can then withdraw the money using the redraw facility and pay off the credit card. By keeping this money on your loan for as much time as possible you will be reducing both the term of the loan and interest that you’re paying.

4. You can have an immediate impact on the principal of your mortgage on the day that you settle by simply making your first payment that same day.

5. Continue paying at least the original installment amount even if interest rates drop causing your repayment installments to drop also.

If you follow these strategies regularly over the term of your loan you will significantly reduce the mortgage as well as the interest you pay.

Copyright 2005 by Robert Scott, LoanSense.com.au

Check out Robert’s LoanSense website that is dedicated to helping borrowers get the best possible deal on a Home Loan in Australia.

Buying a Home is the American Dream. It is more than a place you put your hat at the end of the day. It defines you, protects you, and prospers with you. Yes, Home Ownership is a noble pursuit, but it always starts with this first, important question: Should I buy or Rent my Home? The answer, surprisingly, is not so obvious.

Now the question of “affordability” is an important one, but that’s not the subject of this article. We have a free calculator at our website. You’re welcome to use it. The subject of this article, however, deals with the questions that must be answered, before a renter can migrate into the magical realms of HOME OWNERSHIP.

Here are 5 MAGIC POINTS that you need to examine, on whether or not to BUY or RENT your next Home:

1.EXPENSES
2.COMMITMENT
3.MONTHLY PAYMENTS
4.TAX RETURNS
5.WEALTH

1.EXPENSES:

Renting a home requires that you give a check to the landlord each month. That’s it. You’re done. Everything else is simply taken care of for you. When you OWN a home, you are in business for yourself, and this means that you must handle all of the expenses yourself.

a)You are responsible, of course, for the monthly mortgage payment to the bank…

b)You must pay all your utilities, including phone, gas, electric, cable, trash, water, etc.

c)Don’t forget your responsibility to take care of maintenance. Not having enough money in the bank account is not a good enough excuse. If it’s broken, ya gotta fix it!

d) Don’t forget your Homeowners Association Dues, your Membership Fees, Property Taxes, Special Assessment taxes, insurance…yada, yada, yada.

When you rent a home, you give the landlord a check. When you buy a home, you must ensure that all expenses are met and managed every single month, forever…

2.COMMITMENT:

Renting and Buying have different financial commitments.

a)To rent a home usually requires a lease. Sometimes it’s month to month; sometimes it’s a 12 month lease. But, no matter what, there’s always a way out. Your commitment is limited to the time you choose to stay and reside there.

b) When you buy a home, you usually sign a 30 year mortgage, which most people would argue, is like forever. You are committed to ensuring that the payment is delivered to the bank or lender every single month, on time. They don’t care if you want to move at some point. You can sell your home of course, but you can’t just break your mortgage, like you can break your lease.

Buying a home requires a long-term, financial commitment. Renting a Home simply requires that you cut a check each month you reside at the home of choice.

3.MONTHLY PAYMENTS:

It always appears that a renter will pay less each month on monthly payments. Let me shed some light on this subject. Examined closely, this is as far from the truth as the moon to the Earth. Let’s use an example:

a)As a renter, you pay $800 a month, let’s say, that increases 5% each year. The math may differ with you and your landlord, but you get the idea. Barring rent-control, this is inevitable. Simple enough.

b)As a Homeowner on a fixed rate loan at $1000 Principal and Interest per month, the payment never changes…Never…Not ever…

c) In other words, the renter’s monthly rent will eventually SURPASS the homeowner’s mortgage payment…Much faster then you might expect.

In this example, our Renter’s Monthly Payments will exceed our Homeowners Mortgage Payment, in about 6 years.

4.TAX RETURNS:

A renter usually does receive a tax benefit from the State and Federal tax boards each year, sometimes referred to as a “renter’s credit”. But the Homeowner receives a deduction on the Interest paid on their loan. This is a huge benefit to the homeowner.

a)Let’s use the same example with our $800 renter. At the end of the year, our renter might receive a $600 renter’s credit on their 1040EZ form when doing their taxes. Simple enough.

b)Our Homeowner, on the other hand, paid a total of $12,000 in mortgage payments, of which about $11,500 went towards INTEREST. This INTEREST is a write-off.

c)Let’s see…$600 versus $11,500. Hmmm. I like that math. That equates to a nice healthy tax return for most of us, come April of next year.

Take those thousands of dollars in tax return, and go on a nice Cruise around Jamaica!

5.WEALTH:

It’s arguably much, much harder for a renter to build wealth. There is no built-in mechanism for appreciation, whereas the homeowner has postured themselves wisely for the future.

a)Let’s say we have a renter that wants to get wealthy. Great! They must go find a business to run, or a stock to invest in, or come up with a great invention, or be the next rock star, or follow a family friends “tip”, and go do Cattle Futures from August to September (just an example, folks…I don’t know anything about cattle…). In any event, most people would be concerned that our renter is following the proverbial “pipe dream” towards wealth.

b)But let’s say we have a homeowner who wants to build wealth. Great! What do they need to do? Simple….Nothing…Pay the mortgage…Live in the house…Go work your job. That’s it. Real Estate appreciates in value, on average, over the long haul, like no other financial vehicle. It is a virtual certainty, and it is automatic. The homeowner controls the total value of the home. That’s the magic of leverage.

c) Let me drive the point home: Someone might buy a house at $150,000, let’s say, and over the course of 7 to 10 years, it is completely reasonable to suggest that this very same house could be worth around $600,000.

Renters do not have a built in advantage for building wealth, whereas Real Estate appreciates in value as a virtual certainty. They don’t call home-ownership the “American Dream” for nothing!

SUMMARY:

The subject of deciding on whether to Buy or Rent, is not simple. In the end, it boils down to a question of complexity. Being a Renter is simple. Being a Homeowner is more complex, and yet, that does not mean that it is not within your grasp. It IS!!! There are so many people that are just waiting in the wings, yearning to help you get there. Real Estate Agents, Mortgage Brokers, Friends, Family, etc.

With all of these resources around you, just about anyone can own a home, and in this great country, the American Dream of Home Ownership is completely within all of our grasps!

But do me a favor. Give yourself the time to examine these important questions first. Look within. As we all get older in life, we yearn for more. Buying versus Renting is a common theme in this journey. As we wave goodbye to the younger years, we say so long to the simplicity of life, and we say hello to the promise of prosperity, wealth, and a better tomorrow. We also say hello to higher, more complex things. Often times, it’s simply the willingness to accept complexity that will get you to the understanding you need.

Best of luck on your journey, from Renting to Owning your next Home!

We’ve enjoyed providing this information to you, and we wish you the best of luck in your pursuits. Remember to always seek out good advice from those you trust, and never turn your back on your own common sense.

Publisher’s Directions: This article may be freely distributed so long as the copyright, author’s information, disclaimer, and an active link (where possible) are included.

Disclaimer: Statements and opinions expressed in the articles, reviews and other materials herein are those of the authors. While every care has been taken in the compilation of this information and every attempt made to present up-to-date and accurate information, we cannot guarantee that inaccuracies will not occur. The author will not be held responsible for any claim, loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of any information within these pages or any information accessed through this site.

About the Author

Tom Levine provides a solid, common sense approach to solving problems and answering questions relating to consumer loan products. His website seeks to provide free online resources for the consumer, including rate-watch, tips and articles, financial communication, news, and links to products and services. Visit Loan-Resources.Org , or you can email Tom at info@loan-resources.org.

It has always been an issue for home buyers to save their down payment. Many people, on advice from various people wait to save 10%, rather than moving into the home sooner with 5% as a down payment This is not always a good idea. Let me explain;

We have 2 young couples, the Jones’ and the Smiths. They both have the same amount of money to spend on housing and saving ($1000/month). From that $1000, they are paying their rent of $750/month, and saving the other $250 for their down payment. In fact they’re identical people.

The Jones’ and the Smiths are both looking to buy a $100,000 property. As such, they will need $5000 as a down payment if they purchase at 5% down, or $10,000 if they wish to have 10% as a down payment.

To date, they have both saved $5000 with which to purchase a property. The Jones’ have decided to buy now and accept that they only have 5% as a down payment The Smiths’ have decided to wait until they can raise 10%; thus saving themselves some CMHC costs.

What the Smiths’ aren’t realizing is that while they wait, the cost of the property is increasing… thus incrasing the amount of money they need as a downpayment.

They’ve also not taken into account that the money they are paying in rent is being thrown away, while they could have been putting that against their mortgage.

Sure, saving the CMHC fees is a good idea. But is it necessarily the right way to go? Not always.

If it takes the Smiths an extra 2 years to save up the extra money, the property could have increased by as much as $15,000 in that time…. meaning that they’d need more of a down payment, as well as having a larger mortgage than if they’d bought earlier.

If you’d like to read this article in full, including graphs showing the difference between the Smith’s and the Jones’ then go to our website at www.workingtogether.ca and review the article titled “5% Down Vs. 10% Down - A Comparison”. You’ll get the idea; and possibly save yourself a lot of money!

About The Author

John Carle & Sharon Gregresh are Realtors with Royal LePage - ArTeam in St. Albert, AB. They pride themselves on providing more than just real estate sales and listings. Their clients benefit from a much larger spectrum or real estate services. Contact them any time at information@workingtogether.ca or through their website at www.workingtogether.ca They can be reached by phone at (780) 458-5595

Why do some people get their home loan mortgages approved in a breeze while others struggle through with hiccups? What are the differentiating factors between one application and another? What do lenders look at when they evaluate you?

In reality, getting your home mortgage approved depends on how your background matches the list of criteria set forth by the lender. Although these rules that they have are not always entirely hard and fast, the loan application officer does not stray too far away the guidelines he or she has been entrusted with. Needless to say, applicants should at best present themselves as creditworthy creditors and have the adequate documented records as proof of this.

Believe or not, lenders have a scoring system for aspects of your background that they are evaluating. The following are areas in which you will be scrutinized on:

1.Employment History
You must have been in employment for not less than 2 consecutive years within the same industry. This shows that you have the capability to be sustained in a permanent position, and do not hop from one job to another. Lenders look for stability and consistency as best they can, and your employment history is a good basis for them to evaluate your capability to generate income to finance your mortgage.

2.Credit History
The next indicator of your credit-worthiness is your short-term debt, a.k.a. your credit card bills. It’s ok to have some debt on your credit card, but you must show a history of on-time payments. Apart from that, too much debt on credit cards with credit lines fully utilized shows the possible inability to pay for debt. Therefore, at least six months before applying for a loan, it would be best to clean up your short term debt as much as possible.

3. Outstanding Liabilities
The size of your income dictates the amount of liability you can support. As a rule of thumb, lenders stipulate that a person’s total monthly payments for liabilities should not exceed 42% of his or her monthly earnings. With this, total liabilities include credit card debt, car loans, student loans, existing mortgages or child support collectively. This means that in order to qualify for your home loan mortgage, you need to reduce your monthly repayments on liabilities to the point which is acceptable by the lender.

4.Cash and Asset Reserves
Another aspect to show that you can afford your home loan mortgage is to provide proof to the lender on the amount of cash and liquid assets that you possess. The minimum reserves that you have must be sufficient to pay at least 2 months of monthly repayments for mortgage payments. Some lenders even go to the extent of requiring 6 months worth of reserves in order to qualify.

5.Existing Housing Repayments
Finally, if you already have existing housing rental payments, there should not be any late repayments for these within the past 12 months. This again shows your priorities as a responsible tenant and is adequate proof to the lender that you potentially will be a responsible borrower as well.

Some applicants who may lack supporting documents for their home loan mortgage applications should compensate by providing documents that will help to prove themselves to be responsible pay masters. These could be payments receipts of utility bills, phone bills or even car insurance, which are useful documents to be used to prove that you are indeed creditworthy.

About the Author

Chris Edison is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.mortgage-traps.com a home mortgage loan information site, that reveals mortgage traps for home buyers.

So you’ve been renting an apartment for a while and your friends are all buying houses and settling down to nice, quiet suburban lifestyle. Is this something you should be doing too? To put even more pressure on you, every other evening news cast is talking about the rapidly increasing value of houses in your area.
Before you rush out and buy the first house you can get a loan for, perhaps it would be wise to stop and decide if buying a house is really what you should be doing. To help you, here are four things to think about.

1. How long will you live there?
If your job requires frequent moves, or you are pretty sure you will not be in the same city in five years, do not buy a house. Real estate prices do sometimes dip and if you move you may have to sell your house at a loss.

2. Are you a Flipper?
Flipping is the art of buying a house, living in it for a time as you fix and improve it and then selling it for a profit. You then buy another house, live in it for a time, and sell it for a profit. The risk here is similar to that in the previous paragraph; the resale value of the house may go down. So if you are going to be a flipper, be sure to buy a house you would want to live in for the next ten years.

3. Does renting cost more than owning?
Sometimes you can find a house that is actually cheaper to own than the place you are currently renting. If you are purchasing a house purely for the sake of less cash outflow each month, be sure to consider all the costs of ownership: mortgage, insurances, maintenance, snow removal, etc. If you still find that owning is more cost effective than renting, go for it.

4. Is it what you really, really want to do?
Occasionally owning a house is what you really want to do, even if it doesn’t make economic sense. In that case, make sure you do your homework, consider the three thinking points above, and make the best choice you can. Buy the most house for the least money in the best neighborhood.

Buying a house can be an emotionally charged time in your life. It is also an enormous user of your resources. Take your time and be confident that you are ready to move into another stage of your life where you can be proud to say “This is my house.”

About the Author

Roger Sorensen is America’s Financial Guide. Learn more at his website www.Slave2Work.com – ask and receive answers to your personal finance questions, read his writings, or join the newsletter Money Basics. “How-To Be Debt Free!” is now for sale, read about it today at www.Slave2Work.com/debtfree.html

We all know that there are a lot of mortgage companies out there. But how do you know which company to choose? Some companies have flashy advertisements about low interest rates, but are they really the best company to choose? A mortgage is a very large investment, so the company that you choose has to be the best company out there for you. As a mortgage expert, I can give you a few tips when choosing a mortgage company.

1. Watch out for interest rates. Some companies have higher interest rates than others. Choose the company with the best interest rate for you (usually the lowest, but not always). Be careful of special promotions that have hidden fees. Don’t get sucked in by an extremely low interest rate. Be sure you know everything involved with that interest rate. Be sure to check things out and understand the terms of the interest. If you do this, you will have a much better chance of getting a nice interest rate that you and your family are comfortable with.

2. Be sure to know all of the fees. Some mortgage companies have hidden fees, or they tack on additional costs. Don’t get stuck paying extremely large fees. Once again, companies will try to hide behind low interest rates, but then they will stick you with several large fees. Don’t fall for it!

3. Be mindful of the application and appraisal fees. You want to get the lowest fee possible with the highest quality service. Some mortgage companies charge insane amounts for applications and appraisals. Charging a lot does not necessarily mean that they are worthwhile companies. The best service, for the lowest price is always the best way to go!

4. Finally, and most important of all, is the service. Some companies are not committed to their customers. A Mortgage company that gives you terrible service, but extremely low rates is not the best company out there. Watch out for companies with quite a few different contacts. One on one customer service is the best. You want a mortgage company that cares and is willing to get to know you and your needs. How a mortgage company presents itself to its customers, and how it handles them is a reflection of the kind of company it is. A company that has lousy service, rude representatives, and little customer interaction is not the company for you. A quality company will be attentive to your needs because you are the customer, and you are what is most important.

Choosing a mortgage company may seem like a daunting task. Just remember to keep costs in mind. The most expensive is not always the best, nor is the cheapest always the best. Keep in mind service. Service is the most accurate representation of a company. If you follow these simple tasks I am positive that you will choose the best mortgage company for you and your family.

About the Author

Bart Fadington writes about Mortgage company topics.

We all know that there are a lot of mortgage companies out there. But how do you know which company to choose? Some companies have flashy advertisements about low interest rates, but are they really the best company to choose? A mortgage is a very large investment, so the company that you choose has to be the best company out there for you. As a mortgage expert, I can give you a few tips when choosing a mortgage company.

1. Watch out for interest rates. Some companies have higher interest rates than others. Choose the company with the best interest rate for you (usually the lowest, but not always). Be careful of special promotions that have hidden fees. Don’t get sucked in by an extremely low interest rate. Be sure you know everything involved with that interest rate. Be sure to check things out and understand the terms of the interest. If you do this, you will have a much better chance of getting a nice interest rate that you and your family are comfortable with.

2. Be sure to know all of the fees. Some mortgage companies have hidden fees, or they tack on additional costs. Don’t get stuck paying extremely large fees. Once again, companies will try to hide behind low interest rates, but then they will stick you with several large fees. Don’t fall for it!

3. Be mindful of the application and appraisal fees. You want to get the lowest fee possible with the highest quality service. Some mortgage companies charge insane amounts for applications and appraisals. Charging a lot does not necessarily mean that they are worthwhile companies. The best service, for the lowest price is always the best way to go!

4. Finally, and most important of all, is the service. Some companies are not committed to their customers. A Mortgage company that gives you terrible service, but extremely low rates is not the best company out there. Watch out for companies with quite a few different contacts. One on one customer service is the best. You want a mortgage company that cares and is willing to get to know you and your needs. How a mortgage company presents itself to its customers, and how it handles them is a reflection of the kind of company it is. A company that has lousy service, rude representatives, and little customer interaction is not the company for you. A quality company will be attentive to your needs because you are the customer, and you are what is most important.

Choosing a mortgage company may seem like a daunting task. Just remember to keep costs in mind. The most expensive is not always the best, nor is the cheapest always the best. Keep in mind service. Service is the most accurate representation of a company. If you follow these simple tasks I am positive that you will choose the best mortgage company for you and your family.

Bart Fadington writes about Mortgage company topics.

A 2nd mortgage loan after a bankruptcy is possible in as little as two years. Refinancing your mortgage can help you make needed home improvements or pay off high interest debt. Refinancing with adverse credit history requires savvy shopping on your part to ensure that you get a reasonable 2nd mortgage loan.

Building Good Credit

After a bankruptcy, take the next two years to rebuild your credit history. By making regular payments and building up cash reserves through a savings account or saving bonds, you will put yourself in a better position to refinance your home.

Sub Prime Brokers

Your credit report will list your bankruptcy for seven to ten years, so you will need to go through a sub prime mortgage broker. A sub prime mortgage broker offers loans at slightly higher rates to high risk lenders.

Sub prime brokers vary in the amount of fees and points they will charge. With adverse credit, you should expect to pay a couple of points higher than a traditional loan. The best way to ensure you are getting a competitive rate is to shop around.

Searching For Rates

Sub prime brokers have moved online, allowing you to easily compare rates and fees. You can gather general quotes by giving out basic information like how much you want to borrow and your property’s current value.

With these basic quotes you can quickly compare financing costs. Be sure to include fees when you consider the total cost of the loan. Once you have compared several financing quotes, pick the top three to investigate further.

Comparing Real Quotes

Mortgage rates are determined my many different factors such as property location and your employment history. In order to get a real refinancing quote, you will have to provide this detailed information to a sub prime broker. You can do this through online mortgage websites with no risk.

Compare the rates, fees, and terms of each refinancing offer. If you have any questions, you can contact the sub prime broker over the phone or through their website.

Applying Online

Once you have picked the best offer, you can finish the process online. Sub prime brokers will either have you fill out the application online or through the mail. In both cases, the final paperwork will be mailed out for your approval and your loan will be processed.|

About the Author

Carrie Reeder is the owner of http://www.abcloanguide.com, an informational website about various types of loans. To view our list of recommended bad credit mortgage lenders online who can help you with a 2nd mortgage. Visit this page: http://www.abcloanguide.com/lessthanperfectcredit.shtml

You have probably received refinancing offers in the mail or advertised online touting your ability to pull out your home’s equity. But a 2nd mortgage, also called an equity loan, may be a better financing option than refinancing your mortgage. 2nd mortgages are ideal when you just want to tap into your equity, plan to move soon, or are unsure about the amount you want to borrow.

Tapping Your Equity

Tapping into your home’s equity is best done through a 2nd mortgage if you already have a low interest loan. Typically, applying for a 2nd mortgage requires fewer fees than refinancing a mortgage. 2nd mortgages are also paid back sooner, so your interest payments are less.

Short-Term Loan

With the costs involved in refinancing, you typically need to keep the loan for about two years to break even. However, with a 2nd mortgage you don’t have those fees to worry about recovering. 2nd mortgages do have minimum balance and early pay off fees, but they are significantly less than refinancing fees.

Flexible Loan Amount

A 2nd mortgage allows you to take out your home’s equity over the course of several years. The money can be accessed with a check, ATM card, or direct deposit, depending on how you set up your account with the lender. Additionally, you only pay interest on the money that you have withdrawn.

Higher Approval

Lenders tend to be more lenient with approving 2nd mortgages. Since the amount usually is less than a traditional loan, lenders remain confident that they will receive payment. If you have had a few credit glitches in the past two years, think about going with a 2nd mortgage.

2nd Mortgage Mistakes

2nd mortgages aren’t for everyone. You should weigh the cost of PMI and payments when choosing your financing options. Borrowing more than 80% of your home’s value will subject you to private mortgage insurance.

Your monthly payments should also be a factor in your decision. By taking out equity when refinancing your home, you will have a lower payment than if you had both a mortgage and 2nd mortgage payment. Also, if you refinance in the future, you will have to pay off your 2nd mortgage.

About the Author

Carrie Reeder is the owner http://www.abcloanguide.com, an informational website about various types of loans. To view our recommended sources for 2nd mortgage loans online, visit this page: http://www.abcloanguide.com/mortgageloans.shtml

At its highest level, commercial mortgage brokerage is a collaborative process of discovery. On the borrower side, the more the broker is able to learn about the property and the borrower’s needs, the more effectively he can focus his thinking and utilize his experience to assist the borrower in structuring the deal. On the lender side, a good broker carefully cultivates an effective and aggressive group of lenders. These are the kind of worthwhile relationships that can only develop over time. With each and every deal the relationship is tested and seasoned with mutual respect. The bar is raised. The boundaries are stretched. The stakes are always high because of the faith that has been placed in the broker by the client. Therefore, if disappointed by a lender’s execution, or by changes that (hopefully won’t) occur from the time a lender quotes a deal to the time the lender issues a commitment letter, that lender may never have another chance to win over that broker.

Part of the value, therefore, of a seasoned mortgage broker, is accumulating and honing these performance-based lender relationships to a fine edge so they can be brought to bear on an individual borrower’s transaction.

At a sophisticated level, commercial real estate financing requires finesse, experience and the aforementioned carefully cultivated, time-tested array of “arrows” in the broker’s “quiver”. Or, to state it more generically: to be effective, one needs the right tool at the right time to accomplish a particular job.

What are the implications of all this for the borrower? In return for a mortgage brokerage fee, all these time-tested lender relationships and the broker’s insight, judgment and advisory skills are leveraged by the borrower for a finite period of time without the need to employ such expertise on a permanent basis. All in all, I’d say it’s an amazingly efficient arrangement.

So, who should you turn to when it’s time to reach out to a broker? Which company should you choose? As in any endeavor, there’s a pyramid of quality and expertise: plenty of mediocrity at the bottom, some decent performers in the middle and a small number of virtuosos at the top. As in choosing a doctor, a lawyer, a contractor or a vacation, nothing beats a word-of-mouth recommendation from someone you know and trust. Next there’s old-fashioned due-diligence which would include doing a web search and reviewing newspaper articles (for example its easy to search the archives of the NY Times), calling accountants and lawyers active in real estate for recommendations, and asking for references from the broker’s past clients. Ultimately, it will come down to a face-to-face meeting, the answers to your questions, and your gut feeling about the broker, his ethics and his company. The depth of the organization is quite important because a great broker must have top-notch administrative, analytical and processing support to be your optimal choice.

When you consider that the owner of an apartment building, office property, shopping center or owner-occupied property will live with the economic consequences, restrictions and conditions of a new mortgage transaction for years, the best option for an owner is unlikely to be achieved by picking up the phone and calling one or two familiar banks. The smart owners know this and are happy to “outsource” the mortgage brokerage function, knowing that they will get the benefit of the broker’s knowledge of the current marketplace.

Since the lending landscape is a constantly moving target, the “alpha” broker guides the client, mindful of the client’s desired loan structure, incorporating late-breaking news and knowledge of shifting market dynamics to fine-tune his approach to best achieve the client’s objective.

You may be asking how, exactly, this knowledge can benefit the borrower, so here are two possible examples:

Lender X recently lost two valuable employees, the shop is overwhelmed and the broker absolutely knows that even though he’s closed hundreds of millions of dollars of business in the past with lender X, and the borrower likes lender X, at this moment in time lender X is not the right choice, and the broker must advise the client accordingly.

Treasury rates drop significantly – prompting a suggestion by the broker to suddenly switch from lender “A” to lender “B” because lender “A” (despite the fact that it offers a better spread than lender “B”) will not be able to lock the interest rate for two more weeks. Lender “B”, on the other hand, can rate-lock immediately. The borrower should employ the broker that will offer him this option when circumstances so dictate, not the broker that will sit tight knowing that the client is already signed up. The broker that is willing to disclose any problems that arise immediately and help the borrower switch to “Plan B” is (of course) infinitely more valuable than the one that doesn’t want to rock the boat.

Clearly, you want the broker that will dig deeper and seek to protect your interest, which brings us to the next rather important point:

What to absolutely avoid in a commercial mortgage advisor: brokers who tend to utilize a small number of lenders regardless of the diminishing effect that will have upon the advice that they can offer their clients. As efficient and convenient as this may be for them, it screams disrespect for their clients. You want a broker that enjoys going the extra mile and pushes to find the best solution in any market condition. Also to be avoided are firms without enough support staff to truly serve the borrower’s needs. The phrase “the devil’s in the details” must have been coined with complex commercial mortgage transactions in mind. There is a lot of work that must occur between the acceptance of a term sheet and the closing of the deal. Make sure that the firm you put your faith in is adequately staffed to keep the paperwork flowing smoothly.

Make the most of your next commercial real estate transaction by taking the time to identify the right advisor to assist you. Tap into the wellspring of knowledge and expertise as needed, knowing your broker is up to speed with all the nuances of the current lending environment. Bringing that expertise in at an early stage will almost certainly ensure that your project will go more smoothly.

Gregg Winter - President
Winter & Company Commercial Real Estate Finance
13 East 37th Street, NYC 10016
gregg@winter1.com 
www.winterandcompany.com