Mortgage brokers do not lend money. Most of them are firms providing services rather than loans. The lender is the one who provides the money to the borrower at the closing table. The lender also makes the final decision regarding loan approval.

Many loan officers working for brokers operate on a flexible schedule. They are often willing to drive to meet you at your home - even during the evening or on weekends. This flexibility allows for an entirely different level of service, and can make getting your mortgage much more 'hassle-free'.

A direct lender is generally not only limited to their specific home loan programs but they are limited to use the rates and pricing that their company offers and they also must use their company's underwriting guidelines. A mortgage broker however is able to shop available programs and different underwriting guidelines to find something that may be more suited to your individual specific needs. Mortgage brokers are also able to shop different rates and pricing. Therefore, you can usually obtain the exact loan you are looking for with the rate that you deserve by using a mortgage broker, as opposed to maybe having to settle with something else from a direct lender.

Although some mortgage bankers have the capability to broker loans out to other banks, most prefer to sell their own loan products, because they can usually earn more in finance charges with their in-house mortgage programs. Mortgage brokers usually have no preference to which bank to submit a loan application to. There only concern is the loan program being right for the borrower.

Direct lenders work with retail rates. Mortgage brokers have access to whole sale rates. Often you can get a more competitive rate by working with a mortgage broker.