How to Find the Best Mortgage Brokers in Marin County
Whether you are a first-time home buyer, looking to refinance, acquire a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or options for reverse mortgages in Marin County you will want to know who the are the good mortgage brokers in Marin County. Offering fixed rate loans, adjustable rate loans and interest-only loans, Marin County mortgage brokers have access to many lenders and can help you find the low-interest home loans you need. The Prime Buyer's Report has compiled the following articles to help you find the best mortgage brokers for your home loan in Novato, Sausalito and San Rafael and throughout all of Marin County. more »Updated November 13, 2008
Top 10 Mortgage Brokers in Marin County
| CWC Financial |
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Send an email to this Company (415) 454-1130, (888) 711-5454 851 Irwin St., Suite 301 San Rafael, CA 94901 License #01430848 |
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Areas Served: Marin County & Bay Area incl. San Rafael CA, Mill Valley CA, Sausalito, Corte Madera,...
Services: mortgage brokers able to use over 100 lenders for the best low interest home loans, ...
| Clarion Mortgage Capital |
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(415) 332-7788 1505 Bridgeway Sausalito, CA 94965 |
Areas Served: Marin County incl. San Rafael, Sausalito, Mill Valley, Ross, Tiburon, Belvedere
| Apkar Services |
|
(415) 453-9100 1295 2nd St # 200 San Rafael, CA 94901 |
Areas Served: San Rafael CA, Larkpur, Woodacre, Sausalito, Mill Valley, Novato, Tiburon, Kentfield
| Crown Mortgage Group |
|
(415) 331-3300 1 Gate 6 Rd # A Sausalito, CA 94965 |
Areas Served: Novato, San Rafael, Sausalito, Corte Madera, Tiburon, San Anselmo, Mill Valley
| Redwood Trust, Inc. |
|
(415) 389-7373 1 Belvedere Pl # 300 Mill Valley, CA 94941 |
Areas Served: Mill Valley, San Rafael, Novato, San Anselmo, Fairfax CA, Woodacre, Tiburon
| 1st Choice Mortgage |
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(415) 259-0201 1363 Lincoln Ave # 6 San Rafael, CA 94901 |
Areas Served: Novato, San Rafael, Mill Valley, Sausalito, Larkspur, San Anselmo, Tiburon, Fairfax
| American Equity Mortgage, Inc. |
|
(415) 381-0400 700 E Blithedale Ave Mill Valley, CA 94941 |
Areas Served: San Rafael CA, Larkpur, Woodacre, Sausalito, Mill Valley, Novato, Tiburon, Kentfield
How to Find the Best Mortgage Brokers in Marin County
Many individuals in Marin County are convinced they can't purchase property because of large down payment requirements, bad credit or excessive closing costs. But when you enlist the services of a mortgage broker you may find that many of these factors are not set in stone. Mortgage brokers have access to many more mortgage loan options than direct lenders and their services, which are often negotiable, can help those in need of alternative financial options. If you've decided to explore your financing options, The Prime Buyer's Report can help you find an established mortgage broker in Marin County with access to a variety of direct lenders. Read on to find out how.
Marin County Mortgage Brokers Perform Numerous Services
When you need a loan, whether for a car, land, construction or your first home, you have a number of Marin County mortgage brokers to choose from. Among the local choices, many work with FHA loans, sub-prime loans, bankruptcy loans, foreclosure loans, VA loans, fixed-rate loans, home equity loans, basic real estate loans, jumbo loans and adjustable rate loans. After a free loan analysis, you may qualify for home improvement loans or home equity lines, refi's, or reverse mortgages for senior homeowners.
There are local mortgage brokers in Marin County who regularly work with lenders that offer competitive, reduced rates for first-time commercial or residential buyers, individuals with bad credit, individuals who need to pay back taxes or collections debt and individuals who wish to consolidate their existing bills. Marin County mortgage brokers are Equal Housing Lenders and many can accommodate Spanish-speaking clients, and they may be able to find a direct lender that caters to borrowers with an unconventional (or lousy) credit history. So if you're willing to pay a little extra up front to enlist the help of Marin County mortgage brokers, you're much more likely to end up with a reasonable loan that you can manage.
There are Many Choices of Mortgage Brokers in Marin County
There are a number of good, honest mortgage brokers in Marin County, but the odds are that there are some mortgage brokers who lack in quality. To avoid ending up with these brokers, The Prime Buyer's Report has studied the local industry to find the professionals that deserve your business. Based on stringent qualifications, we've determined the Top 10 mortgage brokers in Marin County to be CWC Financial, Clarion Mortgage Capital, Apkar Services, Crown Mortgage Group, Redwood Trust, Inc., 1st Choice Mortgage, American Equity Mortgage, Inc.. Other brokers who might still service Marin County include .
Mortgage brokers vary in how well established they are in the market as well as the amount of experience they've acquired. The longer your mortgage broker has been at it, the larger his network of lenders is and the closer he may be to the specific programs available. Of course, this says nothing about his integrity. In order to find out these details, visit industry associations and organizations. Affiliation is optional and it indicates a certain level of dedication to the work. You can use other media to learn about mortgage brokers as well. Some professionals may have been noted in industry magazines or contributed to websites. Either way, any additional information can help you clarify your understanding of the industry and individual qualifications. For a list of related associations, websites and print media, read The Prime Buyer's Report article, "Key Resources for Mortgage Brokers in Marin County."
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Working with Mortgage Brokers in Marin County
If you are not a mortgage aficionado and you've never purchased property, you're about to walk into an intimidating, foreign world that speaks another language and can be full of hidden charges. So supplement our other articles with this guide to find a respectable mortgage broker who offers a fair, workable quote.
Step 1: Background Research on Mortgage Brokers in Marin County
Make sure you don't waste any time with mortgage brokers that are not legitimate professionals. Verify licensing and certifications such as NAMB certification and DRE or CFL licensing. Investigate fraudulent business practices at the Federal Trade Comission Web site.
Step 2: Be Prepared For Speaking with Marin County Mortgage Brokers
Before you meet with potential mortgage brokers in Marin County, conduct a brief investigation into the current loan climate for the Marin County area and gather all of your current financial information. You should also have an idea of a feasible down payment. Be sure to present all of this information to each broker so that you can accurately evaluate the variations in their quotes.
Step 3: Ask Questions & Take Notes of the Mortgage Brokers in Marin County
After you present the Marin County mortgage brokers with your financial information and they have had a chance to assess it, delve into the details of the mortgage brokers' loan practices. Use the questions below as a basis for your own.
• How will your credit history affect your loan from mortgage brokers in Marin County?
• Can the mortgage companies give you a list of their current mortgage rates?
• Are the rates from the mortgage brokers the lowest of the day or week?
• Do the mortgage brokers offer fixed rate mortgages or adjustable rate mortgages?
• If the mortgage brokers offer adjustable rate mortgages, how will your rate and loan payment vary? Will payments be reduced if the APR goes down?
• What is the APR on adjustable rate mortgages from mortgage brokers in Marin County?
• Do the mortgage companies in Marin County work with any lenders that might be able to better accommodate your particular circumstances?
• What kinds of lenders do the mortgage brokers in Marin County work with?
• Do the mortgage brokers work for a flat fee or a percentage of the mortgage amount?
• If the mortgage brokers receive a percentage, ask them to quote their points as a dollar amount. (The more points, the lower the rate.)
• Do the mortgage companies charge a prepayment penalty? If so, how much is it?
• Are any of the mortgage companies' fees or costs waivable?
• Do the mortgage brokers charge a fee for locking in a loan rate? Is it refundable?
Step 4: Make a Preliminary Decision Among Local Mortgage Brokers in Marin County
After you've interviewed several mortgage brokers serving Marin County, it's time to narrow the field. Consider certifications and compare the quotes from different mortgage companies side by side to choose the smartest financial option.
Step 5: Make the Final Decision on a Marin County Mortgage Broker
Take a final stab at rate negotiation with the best mortagage broker. If and when you arrive at a decent number, you're done shopping. This is the point at which you lock in the rate if you've chosen to do so, but remember, loan rates and mortgage rates can rise or fall, perhaps a few times in a single day. There's always the chance that rates may become more favorable after they are agreed upon. Though lock-ins may be negotiable up until closing, they are usually fixed once they are put in writing.
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Key Resources for Home Loans and Mortgage Brokers in Marin County
Mortgage Brokers Associations & Licensing
BBB Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.gov/)
CAMB California Association of Mortgage Brokers (http://www.cambweb.org/)
CFL California Department of Corporations (http://www.corp.ca.gov/)
CMA California Mortgage Association (http://www.cmabrokers.org/)
DCA California Department of Consumer Affairs (www.dca.ca.gov)
Diamond Certified (http://www.diamondcertified.org/)
FHA Federal Housing Administration (http://www.fha.gov/)
FTC Federal Trade Commission (http://www.ftc.gov/)
HUD U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (http://www.hud.gov/)
LCCA Legislative Counsel for the State of California (www.leginfo.ca.gov)
NAMB National Association of Mortgage Brokers (http://www.namb.org/)
NRMLA National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (http://www.reversemortgage.org/)
Media & Web Publications For & About Mortgage Companies
Forbes Magazine
Mortgages Magazine
Mortgage Banking Magazine
Mortgage Technology Magazine
National Mortgage Broker Magazine
Mortgage Lending Compliance Alert
Mortgage Originators
National Mortgage News
http://www.credit-help-forum.com/
http://www.fanniemae.com/
http://www.freddiemac.com/
http://www.ginniemae.gov/
http://www.lendertalk.com/
http://www.mortgageforum.net/
If you're looking for a home loan, The Prime Buyer's Report provides information for the top 10 mortgage lenders in Marin County within the following zip codes:
94901, 94903, 94904, 94912, 94913, 94914, 94915, 94920, 94924, 94925, 94929, 94930, 94933, 94937, 94938, 94939, 94940, 94941, 94942, 94945, 94946, 94947, 94948, 94949, 94950, 94956, 94957, 94960, 94963, 94964, 94965, 94966, 94970, 94971, 94973, 94974, 94976, 94977, 94978 and 94979
The Prime Buyer's Report provides information for the top 10 mortgage brokers in Marin County within the following cities:
Almonte, Bel Marin Keyes, Belvedere, Belvedere Tiburon, Black Point, Bolinas, Corte Madera, Dillon Beach, Dogtown, Fairfax, Forest Knolls, Greenbrae, Ignacio, Inverness, Kent Woodlands, Kentfield, Lagunitas, Larkspur, Lucas Valley, Marin City, Marinwood, Marshall, Mill Valley, Mission Rafael, Muir Beach, Muir Woods, Nicasio, Novato, Olema, Point Reyes Station, Ross, San Anselmo, San Geronimo, San Marin, San Quentin, San Rafael, Santa Venetia, Sausalito, Sleepy Hollow, Stinson Beach, Strawberry Point, Tamal, Tamalpais Valley, Terra Linda, Tiburon, Tomales and Woodacre
Mortgage Brokers San Rafael Area | |||
County | City-Area | City | Mortgage Brokers Found |
Marin | San Rafael | Bolinas CA | 0 |
Marin | San Rafael | Fairfax CA | 1 |
Marin | San Rafael | Forest Knolls CA | 0 |
Marin | San Rafael | Greenbrae CA | 9 |
Marin | San Rafael | Kent Woodlands CA | 0 |
Marin | San Rafael | Kentfield CA | 2 |
Marin | San Rafael | Lagunitas CA | 1 |
Marin | San Rafael | Lucas Valley CA | 0 |
Marin | San Rafael | Marinwood CA | 0 |
Marin | San Rafael | Mission Rafael CA | 0 |
Marin | San Rafael | Nicasio CA | 0 |
Marin | San Rafael | Ross CA | 0 |
Marin | San Rafael | San Anselmo CA | 2 |
Marin | San Rafael | San Geronimo CA | 0 |
Marin | San Rafael | San Rafael CA | 45 |
Marin | San Rafael | Santa Venetia CA | 0 |
Marin | San Rafael | Sleepy Hollow CA | 0 |
Marin | San Rafael | Stinson Beach CA | 0 |
Marin | San Rafael | Terra Linda CA | 0 |
Marin | San Rafael | Woodacre CA | 0 |
Mortgage Brokers Sausalito Area | |||
County | City-Area | City | Mortgage Brokers Found |
Marin | Sausalito | Almonte CA | 0 |
Marin | Sausalito | Belvedere Tiburon CA | 6 |
Marin | Sausalito | Corte Madera CA | 8 |
Marin | Sausalito | Larkspur CA | 24 |
Marin | Sausalito | Marin City CA | 0 |
Marin | Sausalito | Marshall CA | 0 |
Marin | Sausalito | Mill Valley CA | 20 |
Marin | Sausalito | Muir Beach CA | 0 |
Marin | Sausalito | Muir Woods CA | 0 |
Marin | Sausalito | San Quentin CA | 0 |
Marin | Sausalito | Sausalito CA | 7 |
Marin | Sausalito | Strawberry CA | 0 |
Marin | Sausalito | Tamalpais Valley CA | 0 |
Marin | Sausalito | Tiburon CA | 0 |
Mortgage Brokers Novato Area | |||
County | City-Area | City | Mortgage Brokers Found |
Marin | Novato | Bel Marin Keyes CA | 0 |
Marin | Novato | Black Point CA | 0 |
Marin | Novato | Dillon Beach CA | 0 |
Marin | Novato | Dogtown CA | 0 |
Marin | Novato | Ignacio CA | 0 |
Marin | Novato | Inverness CA | 0 |
Marin | Novato | Novato CA | 30 |
Marin | Novato | Olema CA | 0 |
Marin | Novato | Point Reyes Station CA | 0 |
Marin | Novato | San Marin CA | 0 |
Marin | Novato | Tamal CA | 0 |
Marin | Novato | Tomales CA | 0 |
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Finding the Best, Low-Interest Home Loans in Marin County: 10 Buyer Strategies
Make Sure a Mortgage Broker is Necessary.
If you've been fiscally responsible and have few blemishes on your credit record, paying extra to have mortgage brokers find you lenders is probably a waste of time and money. The purpose of mortgage brokers is generally to help individuals with poor credit or minimal assets find a direct loan that can accommodate them and their situation. Don't pay for help if you don't need it.
Take Time Choosing Among Mortgage Brokers in Marin County.
The first quote you are given isn't necessarily the best quote you could find. Take the time to evaluate the practices and offers of several mortgage brokers and you're more likely to find a much better deal.
Interview Several Mortgage Brokers in Marin County.
You should talk to several potential mortgage brokers in Marin County to find out what institutions they use, how they are compensated and other important business details. But understand that the quotes you are given should have little affect on your final choice. This is because quotes vary from day to day, and the only guaranteed amount is that which you are given when you actually sign on and the rate is locked (if applicable).
Depending on the size of your down payment, the way the mortgage brokers are compensated can either help or hurt you. If your down payment is small, it's usually more beneficial to pay a broker a percentage of the loan. This can usually be lumped into your regular monthly payments. If you're able to put down a large amount, a flat fee is usually more reasonable, as a percentage fee will be much larger.
Be Prepared When Speaking to Local Mortgage Brokers in Marin County.
Mortgage brokers in Marin County can assess your situation or find suitable loans only with information on current income from all sources, total available cash, expected down payment amount and all current debts including the balance and payment. So have all of this information before a consultation.
Get it in Writing From the Marin County Mortgage Brokers.
Because of the inherent risk in large financial transactions, be sure to put every facet of your agreement in writing. Oral agreements are difficult to prove and you need to protect your assets.
Do Your Homework Before You Sign an Agreement with the Mortgage Brokers.
Before you sign on with a mortgage broker, verify relevant credentials, including NAMB certification and DRE or CFL licensing.
Choose Certified Mortgage Brokers in Marin County.
Some mortgage brokers have never faltered in their business practices and have exhibited great care with their clients. These exemplary mortgage professionals have often been awarded Diamond Certification, Better Business Bureau membership or Equal Housing Lender designation. Rely on such credentials to steer you toward a better Marin County mortgage broker.
Negotiate with the Mortgage Companies in Marin County.
Most mortgage brokers in Marin County are open to negotiation on their direct compensation, so don't immediately settle for an unfair fee. Use your business sense to work with the mortgage brokers. There is a chance they will be persuaded to accept a more reasonable rate.
Know Your Rights When it Comes to Marin County Mortgage Companies.
You are protected by the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, RESPA, The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, The Fair Housing Act, The Truth in Lending Act and a number of other statutes enforced by the FTC. To read about the laws that affect Marin County mortgages and mortgage companies, visit the Web site for the California Department of Consumer Affairs or the Legislative Counsel for the State of California.
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