Choosing the person who will help you make one of the most important decisions in your life can be daunting. Here’s how to find your mortgage broker.

Many people find the right mortgage broker by asking their friends for referrals. This is a fantastic place to start. But sometimes, no one can recommend one in your local area, or you find you just don’t ‘click’ with an adviser someone recommended.

Before talking with any mortgage broker, find out if they are an ‘MFAA Approved Mortgage broker’. You can use the MFAA website’s ‘Find a Member’ tool to check. This accreditation makes sure that the adviser reaches high standards of professionalism, ethics and education.

Once you are through the door, have a good conversation with the mortgage broker about their training and how they will work with you.

Start by enquiring about what training or continuing professional development courses they’ve done recently – a good mortgage broker keeps up to date with regulatory and industry changes with regular training.

Ask how many lenders and products will be considered, keeping in mind that a good mortgage broker will tailor your mortgage to get you a great deal, no matter what bank or non-bank lender offers the product.

Make sure you find out at the start if you will be charged any fees and what these are. Many don’t charge fees but those that do will explain why. Most lenders pay commissions to brokers and a good mortgage broker will outline these in disclosure documentation.

Your initial conversation shouldn’t just be a one-way street either, so be wary if the mortgage broker doesn’t ask you about your investment goals and your finances. A good mortgage broker looks at the whole of your life, not just your immediate situation because they know that the most suitable loan for you may not simply be the cheapest.

You may need options such as a line of credit, which can change the interest rate charged on your mortgage. This whole-of-life approach can make the difference between a standard mortgage that’s adequate, compared with a financial package that takes account of your entire situation.  

Finally, find out from the mortgage broker about other services that they may provide. Many MFAA members may also advise on other services such as insurance, including mortgage, house, contents and income.

For more information on a Mortgage Broker for a Home Loan in Darwin call Nick Kirlew today on 0447 499 794. You can access our Mortgage Calculator here.