REAL ESTATE MAILBAG: Mortgage Broker - 2004-01-17
DEAR BOB: In a recent article you recommended a home buyer get pre-approved in writing by a mortgage lender. You said to make sure the approval originates from a lender, not a mortgage broker.

Since you didn't elaborate, it sounded like using a mortgage broker was a bad idea. As a mortgage broker, I realize there are some mortgage brokers who give the rest of us a bad name. We honest mortgage brokers provide valuable services.
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Assigning Value a Challenging Task for Appraisers - 2004-01-17
New-home buyers know that an appraiser stands between them and a mortgage, but few understand the appraiser's central role in the mortgage underwriting process or what, exactly, the appraiser performs.

He or she assigns a value to your proposed new house, based on what buyers have paid for properties that are similar in age, size and location.
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