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
Carol McCullough Relocation Certified
As a Fairfield resident with a family commuting daily on Metro North, and our children graduating from Fairfield public schools, I look forward to sharing many of the great attractions in a wonderful community and county! Over the past 18 years with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services New England Properties, I have helped hundreds of buyers and sellers compete their home search and close on the sale of their property. As a Certified Relocation Specialist, my production results rank in the top 4% nationally while delivering exceptional customer service to my clients and their welcomed referrals. Real Estate is one of the most exciting investments you can make. It should be a fun and rewarding experience. Confident with your home marketing decisions and comfortable with the home marketing process is my commitment to you! I am excited to share several new marketing strategies successfully implemented in Southern Fairfield County! Regardless if you are looking to buy, or about to list your current home, you will soon BE AT HOME when working with Carol! *Connecticut Magazine 2022 Award Winner- 12th consecutive year scoring highest in overall customer satisfaction.
