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    reAlpha Realty

    Smarter real estate, powered by AI. Search homes, book tours, make offers, and close, all in one platform, with expert agent support when you need it

    reAlpha Mortgage

    Mortgages made easy. Get pre-qualified, compare options, and get a customized mortgage that meets your unique needs

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    Realty office

    1560 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway, Suite 455
    Sunrise, FL, 33323

    Corporate office

    6515 Longshore Loop, Suite 100
    Dublin, OH 43017

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    Jersey City, NJ 07310

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    305 W Woodard St, Suite 220
    Denison, TX 75020

    reAlpha Realty, LLC Licensed in FL and GA (View licenses)

    Additional brokerage services managed by Prevu Licensed to do business as Prevu Real Estate LLC in CO, CT, DC, FL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA, TX, VA, and WA, and as Prevu Real Estate, Inc in CA. (View licenses)
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    And Continental Real Estate Group, Inc, licensed in AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WY. (View licenses)
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    Information and/or dates are subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to credit approval.

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    Important legal disclosures

    1The rebate offer is available only to customers who buy a home through real estate services by reAlpha Realty, LLC, Prevu Real Estate LLC, and Prevu Real Estate, Inc., licensed real estate brokerages, with the option to use reAlpha Mortgage where available. You may qualify for a closing cost credit up to 1.5% of the purchase price (up to 1.0% for real estate services, plus up to 0.5% when you also use reAlpha Mortgage). Example: $550,000 × 1.5% = $8,250. Credits are not guaranteed and service availability varies by state.

    Example savings are illustrative and may not be representative of actual customer savings. Rebate may not be redeemed for cash, is not transferable, and may not be rolled over. Additional terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Rebate is subject to change at any time, except as otherwise required by law or expressly agreed to in writing.

    Homebuyers who purchased a home with reAlpha Realty, LLC, Prevu Real Estate LLC, or Prevu Real Estate, Inc., licensed real estate brokerages, in 2025 received a median rebate of $10,450.

    Customers are not required to use services of any affiliated companies. Learn more.

    Some images on this website may be AI-generated and are used solely for illustrative purposes. All property listing images are actual photographs unless clearly marked otherwise.

    Blogs

    Mortgage Loan Originator: Get Approved Without the Stress

    March 21, 2025

    5 minutes

    ‍$777 billion worth of mortgage loan originations took place through the first half of 2024. As a new homebuyer, it's likely you'll need help in this process. A mortgage loan originator (MLO), is a person that helps you through mortgage loan originations.

    A mortgage originator is employed by a lender. Their primary purpose is to help borrowers with the mortgage application process. They will solicit, negotiate, and explain a loan; however, they cannot approve a loan. If you want to help find a reliable lender, reAlpha will guide you to some vetted mortgage lenders.

    What is a Mortgage Loan Originator?

    An MLO is an important individual who assists potential homebuyers in getting a home loan. The mortgage originator will assess the buyer's finances and recommend a mortgage loan. They work to make the entire mortgage process smooth and swift.

    The MLO can be anyone who works for a bank, credit union, or lending institution. Some of them get a salary, but most of them get compensation for their work.

    Get Pre-Qualified and Save Up to 1.5% at Closing with reAlpha

    Save up to 1.5% at closing when you combine real estate and mortgage services with reAlpha.

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    What is The Purpose of a Loan Originator?

    A mortgage loan originator helps borrowers from the initial inquiry to the closing of a mortgage application. This requires the MLO to look into certain information, which includes:

    • An assessment of the borrower's financial health is needed to determine loan eligibility.
    • Find the purpose and understand the needs to determine the loan option that makes sense for you.
    • Assist in collecting the documents necessary for the application.
    • Present loan offers, including interest rates and terms.
    • Offer personalized advice and guidance.
    • Assist you with the legal clauses of the loan agreement, ensuring the agreement terms are in accordance with mortgage policy.

    The mortgage originator is a representative of the lender, but they will not approve your loan application. This part depends on the mortgage lender, who will evaluate your risks as a borrower.

    Explore the different types of mortgages to find your perfect fit.

    Types of Mortgage Loan Originators

    There are two major types of MLOs: bankers and brokers. Let’s look at them below:

    • Mortgage banker- A mortgage banker works directly with the lender. The mortgage loan officer is a point of contact between you and the lender’s institution.
    • Mortgage broker- A mortgage broker is not employed by a lender. They are independent professionals who act as a contact between you and the lender of your choice.

    How To Choose a Mortgage Loan Originator

    Your MLO will help guide you through mortgage pre-approval, a vital step in securing your home loan. Learn the pre-approval process and how to prepare for it.

    When you want a mortgage, you can choose between a mortgage lender or a loan originator. It can be tempting to select the person you originally reached out to; however, it's important to shop around before you make the choice. Here are some tips to evaluate your options.

    • Get Loan Details- Finding the loan information, like the interest rate and APR should be at the top of your list. You should also ask for any perks or discounts that you get with the deal. This parameter can help you compare lenders and the mortgage offers that you get with it.
    • Evaluate and Stand Your Ground- It is important to look for options when an MLO offers a quote. If they are a bit pushy, you can compare the loan options and check out the rates the originator offers. Never crumble under pressure, as a mortgage is a big financial burden, and it is good to be thorough.
    • Choose an MLO you are Comfortable with- Work with a person that you are comfortable working with. If you don’t understand what they are saying or are not comfortable asking questions, they are not a right fit. Before you start, discuss the communication style and how often can you get updates. You can also ask for testimonials from previous clients to better understand their work.

    Keeping these tips in mind can help you find the right MLO. At the end of the day, the right person should have your best interest in mind.

    Buying a Home? Get up to 1.5% Cash Back at Closing

    Get pre-approval first, then start exploring homes knowing you can receive up to 1.5% of the home price back at closing.

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    What is the Mortgage Loan Originator Commission?

    A mortgage loan officer commission varies on an array of factors. Some of them include the loan amount, the complexity of the transaction, and other policies.

    Here are a few service fees an MLO charges:

    1. Origination fee- The originator charges a fee to process and facilitate a loan. Generally, it is a percentage of the loan amount, ranging from 0.5% to 1% of the loan.
    2. Mortgage points- It is a fee paid upfront to the loan originator to get a lower interest rate on the loan. Each point is the 1% loan amount, but the number of points and cost vary.
    3. Broker fees- Mortgage originators may work as brokers in certain cases. They can charge a fee which can be a certain percent of the loan fee or a flat fee.
    4. Processing fees- In some cases, they may charge fees for processing the loan application, like appraisal fees, and credit report fees.

    Working with an MLO helps secure a mortgage, but you can later optimize your payments through mortgage recasting. Learn how recasting can reduce your costs.

    Do You Need a Mortgage Loan Originator?

    A mortgage loan originator can help you with the mortgage process when you decide to buy a house. Make sure that they have an NMLS license and can offer you the best deal.

    If you are looking to get a mortgage on your house, you need to find a reliable lender.

    Finding the right Mortgage Loan Originator is crucial, but what if you could simplify the entire journey and save thousands in commissions? With reAlpha, you'll enjoy:

    • Commission-Free Home Buying: Keep your hard-earned money and put it directly into your home, not someone else's pocket.
    • Vetted Mortgage Partners: Only top-rated, reliable mortgage lenders make it to our platform, giving you peace of mind.
    • Transparent, Stress-Free Experience: No hidden fees or surprises. Just clear, hassle-free mortgage solutions tailored for you.

    Ready to unlock your best mortgage experience ever?

    FAQs

    What is a mortgage loan broker?

    A mortgage loan broker is an individual who acts as an intermediary between a borrower and a mortgage lender. However, they don’t use their own funds or finalize the mortgage.

    Do mortgage loan officers need to be licensed?

    Yes, since 2008, mortgage loan officers need to have a license. The licensing requirements vary from one jurisdiction to the other.

    What is the salary of a mortgage loan originator

    A mortgage loan originator can be employed by a lender. However, they can also earn a commission from origination fees, mortgage points, or processing fees.

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    Article by

    RB
    Rocky Billore

    Rocky Billore is a mortgage industry leader and Chief Sales Officer with over two decades of experience across residential and commercial lending. Since entering the industry in 2004, he has been directly involved in funding more than $1.4 billion in loans. A recognized expert in VA and government lending, Rocky combines deep program knowledge with a data driven, relationship-first leadership style. His work focuses on building scalable sales organizations, developing high performing teams, and aligning technology with real world lending outcomes to improve the homeownership experience.

    Further Reading

    Mortgage-Backed Securities: How MBS Can Boost Your Portfolio
    Top Mortgage Lenders in Maryland
    How Much Does It Truly Cost to Close a Home Loan? Key Insights You Shouldn’t Miss