Are they licensed?
Check your broker is licensed to give credit advice, including details about the licences they hold. For example, Finspo is licensed under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 and an FBAA member. You could also do an online check yourself through the MFAA and FBAA websites.
Licensed mortgage brokers are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), which issues and enforces rules on how they operate. For example, mortgage brokers are required to act in your best interests if a conflict arises between your needs and that of the lenders they work with. They’re also required to reduce the potential for conflicts of interest that impact the advice they provide.
How many lenders do they deal with?
Typically, the more options a mortgage broker can offer you, the better. There may be little advantage to using a broker that only recommends products from two or three lenders. It could also be worth asking whether they have a bias towards any particular lender and if so, why?
What is their ownership structure?
Ask if a major lender or bank has an ownership stake in their business. You may be concerned the broker will try to direct your business to this lender. Likewise, it may be important for you to know your broker is independent.
Our mortgage broker partner, Finspo, is privately funded and independently managed.
What are their fees and commissions?
Ask about how much they’ll be paid by the lender for referring your business. Do some lenders pay them more than others? It could also be worth checking how their commission will be structured. For example, will it be an upfront payment or paid to them periodically while you hold the loan?
What will the borrowing costs be?
While you may not be required to pay your mortgage broker a fee, it’s important to understand the costs you may incur when you take out a home loan. These could be application and property valuation fees, and potentially lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) in some cases. These fees are in addition to the interest charges that apply to your loan. A mortgage broker should be able to explain how these costs will differ based on the options they suggest.
What post-settlement services do they provide?
Some brokers offer ongoing assistance, generally in the form of conducting an annual review to ensure your home loan still meets your needs. They may even contact the lender on your behalf to negotiate a discounted rate.
Our mortgage broker partner, Finspo, provides timely updates, helpful check-ins, and relevant information that may affect your loan, like when the RBA cash rate changes.