Mortgage servicers are companies responsible for the logistical aspects of servicing a loan. Things like processing and tracking payments, sending payment reminders and filing foreclosure documents are some of the tasks they perform.
How loan servicing works
Your mortgage servicer helps handle your loan, but also satisfies certain federal requirements. For example, your servicer sends a report each year describing your accounts balances, property tax payments, homeowners insurance and other pertinent account activity.
Sometimes, your loan servicer might change financial institutions. When this happens, servicers are required to notify you within 30 days of your mortgage transfer.
Parties involved in the mortgage service industry
The mortgage loan industry involves three key players: mortgage lenders, investors and servicers.
Mortgage Lender
The lenders, or originators, are banks or mortgage firms that give you the money when a home loan was approved for you.
Mortgage Investor
A mortgage investor is a person or organization - often a government-sponsored entity - that buys the entire mortgage from the originator. This allows the lender to sell additional mortgages.
Loan Servicer
Finally, the servicers are companies handling your loan account. In some cases, the loan owner - whether a lender or investor - can also be a servicer. However, borrowers are usually connected with a third-party company to help manage repayment.
Changing your mortgage servicer
Having a quality loan servicer can make a huge difference in your borrowing experience. An excellent company maintains accurate information, is quick to contact and offers good customer service. Their important duties include canceling mortgage insurance, assisting in avoiding foreclosure or answering general queries.
Unfortunately, you have no control over who can buy and service your loan. The lender’s right to sell to an external company is included in the terms of service you have to agree to when signing up for the loan.
These are only a few of the important aspects of mortgage servicing to know. However, the more you understand about the parties involved, the better borrowing experience you’ll have.
About the Author
Kevin Kelleher
The thing that sets me aside from other agents is my experience, I started out a young man in construction learning everything from anyone that could teach me so before long I had my own company as a remodeling contractor then specialized in historical renovations by the end I had the pleasure of working on great jobs with great clients for 30 years. For the past 12 years, I have been enjoying the process of assisting my faithful clients with real estate transactions my knowledge of houses has given my clients a huge advantage when viewing properties and what is needed when selling. I have always enjoyed working with people and helping them in probably the largest investment they will make. I hope you will give me the chance to show you that honesty and hard work does pay off in the end whether you're buying or selling.
