How to find a mortgage broker you can trust
By the FindHomeLenders Editorial Team · Updated 2026-10-06
Find a mortgage broker by getting referrals from your real estate agent or friends, searching a local directory, reading reviews, checking the broker's license on NMLS Consumer Access, and asking exactly how they are paid before you compare their Loan Estimate with a direct lender's.
FindHomeLenders lists 7,920 mortgage brokers, more than any other type of lender in our directory. Search your city below.
Find mortgage brokers near you
The 5 checks
- Get referrals: ask your real estate agent, recent buyers you know, and local homebuyer groups which brokers closed on time and communicated well.
- Search a directory: browse mortgage brokers by city to see who operates near you, with address, phone and NMLS ID where available.
- Read reviews: check Google and Yelp reviews for patterns: missed closing dates, surprise fees or poor communication matter more than one angry review.
- Verify the license: look up the company and the individual loan officer on NMLS Consumer Access. Confirm they are licensed in your state and have no regulatory actions.
- Ask how they are paid, then compare: a broker is paid by the lender or by you, never both. Get the dollar figure, ask how many lenders they shop, and compare their Loan Estimate with one from a direct lender or credit union.
Mortgage broker vs mortgage lender
| Mortgage broker | Direct lender | |
|---|---|---|
| Who funds the loan | A wholesale lender the broker picks | The lender itself |
| Choice of products | Many lenders' products in one application | Only its own products |
| How they are paid | By the lender or by you (not both) | Origination fees and the rate |
| Best for | Self-employed, credit challenges, unusual properties, rate shopping | Straightforward loans, existing customers |
| License to check | NMLS (company and loan officer) | NMLS (company and loan officer) |
Frequently asked questions
How do mortgage brokers get paid?
Either the lender pays them or you do, but federal rules do not allow both on the same loan. Ask which applies and get the dollar amount; it appears in the origination charges on your Loan Estimate.
Is a mortgage broker better than going to a lender directly?
A broker can compare many wholesale lenders at once, which helps with unusual income, credit or property situations. A direct lender or credit union may be just as cheap for a straightforward loan, so get at least one quote from each.
How do I check a mortgage broker's license?
Search their name or NMLS ID on NMLS Consumer Access (nmlsconsumeraccess.org). It shows the states they are licensed in and any regulatory actions. You can also search the CFPB complaint database.
What should I ask a mortgage broker?
Ask how many lenders they work with, how they are paid, which lender they would place you with and why, and for a Loan Estimate you can compare against a direct lender.
Comparing lender types more broadly? Read how to find a mortgage lender.
This guide is general information, not financial advice. Listings are compiled from public business information; FindHomeLenders does not endorse any broker. See how our directory works.