Two out of three Americans work with a mortgage broker to purchase a home because they offer consumers choice, convenience and expertise.

A mortgage broker is a real estate financing professional acting as an independent contractor. Mortgage brokers offer consumers a wider selection of loan products because often they can offer the products of many wholesale lenders.

Here are some tips to help find an expert to finance the purchase of a home:

• Ask friends, family and neighbors to recommend a trusted mortgage broker in your community.
• Professional mortgage brokers will explain the loan process, from application to closing; they will also discuss and explain financing program options and all associated costs of the loan application.
• Professional mortgage brokers will communicate with you throughout the loan process in a timely manner.
• Reputable mortgage brokers commit to serve as your financing resource before, during and after your transaction.
• Beware of high-pressure sales tactics. No reputable broker or lender will try to pressure you to take out a loan. Walk away from anyone pressuring you to sign off on a loan.
• A mortgage broker must notify you of the closing costs within three business days. If you haven’t received the closing costs within that time, then take your business elsewhere.
• Do not sign a contract with a mortgage company until you’ve seen a lock-in sheet and are comfortable with the Good Faith Estimate (GFE) that the lender provided to you. If you are uncomfortable with it, then go somewhere else.
• Don’t take out any loan that you don’t fully understand or aren’t completely comfortable with. If you aren’t happy with the loan terms, don’t understand what you’re being asked to sign, or just have a bad feeling about it, then walk away - you are not obligated to that mortgage company at any time unless you have signed a contract stating that you must use their services.

In making your decision to work with an agent in Pittsburgh, PA, there are certain questions you should ask when evaluating a potential agent. The first question you should ask is whether the agent is a REALTOR(R). You should then ask the following questions:

• Does the agent have an active real estate license in good standing? To find out this information, click here.
• Does the agent belong to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)? Multiple Listing Services are cooperative information networks of REALTORS(R) that provide descriptions of most of the houses for sale in a particular region.
• Is real estate their full-time career?
• What real estate designations does the agent hold?
• Which party is he or she representing - you or the seller? This discussion is supposed to occur early on, at "first serious contact" with you. The agent should discuss your state’s particular definitions of agency, so you know where you stand.
• In exchange for your commitment, how will the agent help you accomplish your goals, show you homes that meet your requirements and provide you with a list of properties he or she is showing you?