Dmanu,

Yeah, I think $2500 is unreasonable. If you like and trust this broker, ask him why the deposit is so high. If he can't clearly explain, find another source for your financing.

I am a big believer in the concept that you don't get something for nothing. I have never had an issue with a serious client paying me a $400 deposit to lock a rate. In the event the appraisal comes in low, or the loan is denied, I will always refund this deposit. But I feel that if I'm going to secure a rate for a client, and the lock fallout would hurt our company if the borrower deliberately walked from the deal, a deposit is fair.

One reason so many brokers were forced out of the business in 2007 and 2008 is that their lock delivery ratio was low. Too many of them did not respect the value of a lock commitment and this hurt everyone else. Those left in the business have a strong motivation to deliver their locks and deposits help insure that they will.

You have too many choices out there. Paying $2500 as a deposit is, in my opinion, a good reason to keep looking. You can do better. Negotiate or switch.

Best of luck and let me know if I can help.

Rob Spinosa
rspinosa@mortgagemasterinc.com

I do not ask for any kind of rate lock deposit. That's unbelieveable. I would shop around.

I am a mortgage broker. If I can be of service, please let me know!

Martin Smith

Precision Funding
877-238-6324 Ext 704
513-536-7184
877-238-6324 FAX
MSmith@PrecisionFundingUSA.com
http://www.PrecisionFundingUSA.com

ok the $400 deposit is reasonable... i'm talking $2K deposit... or 2500 what about that ?

Dmanu,

Mortgage Master has this same policy and it is not uncommon in the rest of the industry as well. We charge a $400 application fee at the time of the lock, but we refund it at close of escrow.

Be sure you understand the terms of the refund, but otherwise the deposit itself is not something that should cause undue concern. Generally, the bank/broker is protecting itself from lock fallout.

Thank you,

Rob Spinosa