We certainly need to understand the products available for our buyers. Otherwise, how do we know which lenders to refer them to? 

I don't help them choose what is best for them but, all lenders do not offer all types of loans. I need to know who to send them to!

This is a role a loan/mortgage officer will advise his/her client not a real estate broker/ salesperson. 

I make certain my clients are given options I offer to connect them with several lenders that I have found to be excellent at helping people get the right loan for them. I will offer them my suggestions as well as go over any concerns or questions they might have. I believe that the first stop any home buyer makes should be choosing the right buyer agent to represent them. Since the only professional that is actually legally required to work in a home buyer's best interest is the buyer agent. Not the lender, settlement agent etc etc.
So yes, when someone is buying a home in Northern Virginia as my client I do help them with choosing the right mortgage for them but, the choice is theirs to make. 

Absolutely not!

I do not. 

Yes, I point them to Jason E. Gordon and he rocks their world.

I do not, I leave that to the licensed mortgage broker. 

While I would commend any Real Estate Agent for getting involved with loan dialog with their clients (while presumably having the best intentions in mind), it is a slippery slope. Conversations about loan programs quickly evolve to discussions about interest rates & fees (which can only LEGALLY be discussed by someone holding their NMLS License). 

Please do not perceive this post as self-promoting when I say that a Real Estate Agent is best suited conducting their due diligence in finding a Lender they trust (whom they have throughly vetted). Once they have done this, they should respectfully allow the Lender to do his/her job.

Just my $0.02.  Thanks for the kind words Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor, ePRO, CRS, RCS-D 

ONLY if they are eligible for a USDA loan. USDA loans are fantastic if you/they have the patience for one and very few loan officers ever mention them.

Not at all. I don't want mortgage brokers & attorneys doing my job so I don't do theirs. 

I refer my clients to mortgage professionals to determine the best loan for their needs.

Not at all.  I let their mortgage broker give advice on the lending and stay out of it.  

Helping them. Sure. If the home they are in love with is not financable for one or more reasons - I let them know that they are going to need a rehab loan and that is why the home is so cheap.

that's a task for the loan officer who does the pre-approval for the buyer.... 

Hoo ha....Do what you do best--find out what your client is looking for, find a property that fits and that they like and get them into contract. Repeat...

Do your best to make certain that your client is engaged with an extremely competent loan officer and let that person do what they do best...

Sounds like a solid, winning combination to me...

Other than telling them that my seller is not likely to accept an offer from many of the govt programs, I do not.

When I begin working with a new buyer helping them prepare is what I do. The first step is to ascertain where they are at financially. Asking key questions helps me to direct them to a Lender that would give them the best  advice ...

No I do not play that role. That's up to them and their loan officer...and if they need one I can provide several excellent suggestions.

Yes, if needed they'll be put in touch with my favorite loan officers.

No, but I give them 3 lender options.

No I do not. Most of the time they ask further questions that they get confused about either before or after the application.

Not really. May suggest they follow the advice of their loan officer.

Yes in steering them to a great professional lender.

No. I'm not a licensed loan officer and I don't play one on tv.

Yes. However, we always refer them to a trusted local mortgage loan officer for the best advice.

Nope.

No I do not.

Andrew,

We are not financial advisors.  They should consult their CPA as to what loan is best for them...A

I look at the with that 'Deer in the headlights" look as they explain how they like all the integrated account services offered by Wells Fargo.

Generally no.  I set them up with a quality lender, who is far better versed in those topics and knows their financial situation.

I help them find the right lender, and then I let the lender put them in the right type loan.

No.

That is a very slippery slope and one that is best left to a mortgage professional.

What I will do is have a customer get pre-approved by one of the local lenders I use before beginning their property search. The lender will assess their situation and recommend the appropriate loan types for their needs.

I do not.

Never....

No, that is the lender's job.

It's outside my wheelhouse.

No.

No, I let my lender do that job.

Nope. A good lender partner should do this. -K

No. I tend to recommend that they deal with a mortgage broker who is by far more knowledgeable on that side than we are. They know the various products available through different lenders that can help buyer decide which is best for their personal situation & plans for the future.