A mortgage originator is an institution or individual that works with an underwriter to complete a home loan transaction for a borrower.
What Do Loan Originators Do?
MLOs will work with you through the steps of getting a mortgage, answering questions, collecting documents and verifying information. If you’re purchasing a home, they’ll also provide an estimate of your loan amount and interest rate based on a review of your income, credit report and assets.
What can a mortgage loan officer do?
Mortgage loan officers gather clients’ financial information (e.g. taxes, debts) to review if they are eligible for granting mortgage loans. They complete mortgage loan applications based on national and local financial standards and review their progress.
Do mortgage loan officers work in banks?
Loan officers evaluate, authorize, or recommend approval of loan applications. Most loan officers are employed by commercial banks, credit unions, mortgage companies, and other financial institutions.
How to Become A Mortgage Originator In South Africa
How Much Are Mortgage Origination Fees?
Services provided in a real estate transaction aren’t typically free of charge. You may notice in your closing costs a line item called a “loan origination fee.” These are mortgage origination fees charged by the MLO for processing and underwriting the loan. They typically cost 0.5 – 1% of the total loan amount.
For example, a borrower with a loan amount of R 1511309.81can expect to pay around $500 to $1,000 in mortgage origination fees.
Do Loan Officers Need To Be Licensed?
Mortgages come in several different loan types, have various qualifications, require certain documents, and vary in terms by different lenders and state laws. It’s important to work with an MLO that has knowledge in the residential mortgage loan industry and your specific state.
Nationwide banks are required to have federal registrations and do not require individual MLOs to obtain a loan originator license.
For non-bank lenders, like credit unions, MLOs are required to be licensed with individual states. An MLO could be licensed in multiple states, even if they work in one state. To become an MLO, one must meet the following licensing requirements:
Complete 20 hours of pre-licensing education
Score a minimum of 75% on the two-part nationwide SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act Exam, developed by the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS)
Agree to a thorough background check
Commit to continuing mortgage education each year
What Is A Mortgage Loan Originator’s Salary?
A mortgage loan originator’s salary will depend on several factors, including the company they work for, their level of experience and how many home loans they close per month.
If the MLO is a broker, they may be paid by their clients or by commission from the lender they partner with to close the loan. If the MLO is a loan officer, they’ll typically be paid an hourly rate or salary along with a commission earned per loan.
How Do You Choose A Mortgage Loan Originator?
MLOs help you navigate the mortgage process, so you’ll want to work with someone who is knowledgeable of the industry and knows the ins and outs of your specific state’s laws.
A mortgage can be a big financial commitment, too, one that also involves you sharing personal information, including Social Security numbers, bank statements and tax documents. It’s important to choose an MLO you can trust.
Choosing an MLO who is knowledgeable, helpful and trustworthy may require you to do some research. You’ll want to assessyour loan officer or broker and their company. First, make sure they have an up-to-date MLO license.
Then, look through their website, social media pages and third-party review sites to learn more about the company’s mission and what their past and current clients have to say. Ask friends and family for referrals. Talk to potential MLOs on the phone or visit them in person. It’s OK to shop around until you find the right lender, loan officer or broker for you.
What does a person in this occupation do?
The role of the Home Loans Officer or Bond Originator, is vital to the proper evaluation of financing options and bond application processes when purchasing a property.
Home Loans Officers and Bond Originators are the interface between the banks and their customers, providing the skills, advice and insights which provide property buyers with the choices they need to make when buying a property.
Clients will want the best value in terms of interest rates, deposit amounts and the term of the mortgage bond itself. In many cases the Home Loans Officer or Bond Originator will have to assist clients with the sale of their existing properties as conditional to the purchase of a new one.
Such arrangements can become complex and requires experienced guidance, particularly from a legal perspective. Some of their tasks include:
Soliciting potential clients, individuals or businesses, in need of mortgage bonds
Assisting clients who are applying for loans from banks
Analysing and verifying applications to determine the client’s creditworthiness
Advising on the best terms clients can expect relative to their financial profile
Ensuring that all administrative, statutory and legal requirements are met
Occupation Regulation
National Association of Mortgage Loan Originators (NAMLO’s) regulates Home Loans Officers and Bond Originators.
The government does not currently regulate Home Loan officers in South Africa.
Personality Traits
Familiar with computers and related banking applications
Someone who pays attention to detail
A friendly disposition and good interpersonal skills
Able to deal with complex and onerous administrative processes
Learning Pathway
- Preferably a BComm in Finance, Economics or a related field
- Full-time or correspondence university degree
Employment Avenues
Banking
Micro finance
Financial Sales and Marketing companies
Private Bond Originator Companies
Home Loan Companies
How do bond originators make money in South Africa?
A bond originator (also known as a home loan comparison service) submits a home loan application to multiple banks on behalf of their clients, and charges no fee for this service. That’s because financial compensation already comes in the form of a fee paid by the banks.
What is a bond originator in South Africa?
A bond originator acts as an intermediary between the home loan applicant and the banks, assisting the applicant in compiling one set of paperwork, then submitting it to all the major banks on their behalf. Bond originators are paid a commission by the bank, so their service is free to the home loan applicant.
Can I get a home loan with bad credit in South Africa?
The minimum credit score for a home loan in South Africa is around 640. A score of 600+ will give you a fair chance of home loan approval – although this may vary according to which bank you use. A score of 670+ is considered an excellent credit score, significantly boosting your chances of home loan approval.
What is a bad credit score in South Africa?
A low score is generally considered to be between 300 and 579. A fair score is between 580 and 669. A good score is anything above 700.
How long does it take for a bank to approve a home loan in South Africa?
Now it’s the wait to see if your home loan gets approved. This will usually take around one week, although it can be delayed if applicants fail to meet certain requirements.
Is 600 a good credit score in South Africa?
600 – 650: Very good credit.
These borrowers can get the best loan programs and offers at a good rate.
How can I improve my credit score fast in South Africa?
The following suggestions include methods that may even improve your credit score within 30 days.
Check credit reports for errors.
Pay off outstanding debts.
Reduce your credit ratio.
Settle and close accounts.
Avoid using credit.
Ensure your spouse takes the same measures.
How can I buy a house with no money in South Africa?
There are three common ways to buy a house without paying a full deposit personally.
Buy with your partner/spouse to divide the deposit amount between you.
Buy an undervalued property.
Take out another loan to cover the deposit amount.
How much do I have to earn to buy a house in South Africa?
In order to purchase property on a single income, buyers need to be earning a minimum of around R15 000 per month after tax, he says, which will allow them to afford a home loan of around R500 000.