Wholesale Mortgage Rates vs Retail

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Wholesale mortgage rates are often lower than retail rates because lenders can save money by cutting out the middleman.

This is because wholesale lenders provide mortgages directly to brokers who then sell them to consumers, eliminating the need for a retail branch to handle the transaction.

The average wholesale mortgage rate can be 0.25% to 0.5% lower than the corresponding retail rate.

This can result in significant savings for borrowers over the life of the loan.

For example, on a $200,000 mortgage, a 0.25% difference in rate can save the borrower $2,500 over the course of five years.

Expand your knowledge: 25 Years Mortgage Rates

What Is Wholesale Mortgage?

Wholesale mortgage rates are interest rates offered by a mortgage broker to a homeowner through a wholesale lender partner. This is different from retail mortgage rates, which are obtained directly from a bank or lender.

Mortgage brokers act as middlemen between homeowners and mortgage lenders, receiving pricing from Account Executives who deal directly with brokers, not the public. You can only get your wholesale rate by working with a broker.

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A broker typically works with a handful of wholesale banks, each with different rate sheets, loan programs, and pricing. This allows them to compare rates among lenders and provide you with the lowest rate available.

By working with a broker, you can shop your loan application around with multiple wholesale lenders at once, without having to do the legwork yourself. This can be especially helpful if you're not one to shop around for mortgage rates.

Wholesale rates depend on your financial situation and preferences. If you have a strong credit score and are comfortable navigating the wholesale process, you could save money. If you prefer a simpler process and more flexibility, a retail loan might be better.

Understanding Wholesale Pricing

Wholesale pricing is a unique aspect of mortgage rates that can be beneficial for homeowners who work with a mortgage broker. A wholesale mortgage rate is an interest rate offered by a mortgage broker to a homeowner via a wholesale lender partner.

Discover more: Mortgage Rates Broker

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A mortgage broker acts as a middleman between homeowners and mortgage lenders, receiving pricing from Account Executives who deal directly with brokers. This means that you can only get your wholesale rate by working with a broker.

The broker can shop your loan application around with a number of different wholesale lenders, comparing rates and loan programs to find you the most competitive rate. This can be especially helpful if you're not one to shop around, saving you time and effort.

The advantage of wholesale pricing is two-fold: you can benefit from both access to wholesale rates and a greater number of different lender options to compare. Here are some key differences between wholesale and retail rates:

Ultimately, the choice between wholesale and retail rates depends on your financial situation and preferences. If you have a strong credit score and are comfortable navigating the wholesale process, you could save money.

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How It Works

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Wholesale pricing is based on the cost of goods sold to retailers, which can be lower than the retail price due to bulk purchases. This allows retailers to make a profit by selling the goods at a higher price.

The wholesale price is typically negotiated between the manufacturer or supplier and the retailer, taking into account factors such as the quantity of goods being purchased and the level of demand.

To give you a better idea, let's consider an example from our previous section: a manufacturer sells 100 units of a product to a retailer for $10 each, while the retail price is $20 per unit. This means the retailer can make a profit of $10 per unit by selling it at the retail price.

The wholesale price is usually lower than the retail price, which allows retailers to make a profit by selling the goods at a higher price.

Rebate or Cost

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Wholesale Mortgage Rates Come with Associated Rebates or Costs. Your wholesale rate might have a commission baked in, meaning you won’t have to pay for it out-of-pocket, but the trade-off is a higher interest rate.

In the past, brokers could earn a commission for offering a rate above market, known as the yield spread premium. This has since been outlawed to prevent steering borrowers into high-cost loans.

A broker has the option to get paid a certain percentage of the loan amount directly by the lender, or they can charge you on the front-end via mortgage points (loan origination fee). They aren’t allowed to do both, so they must choose between borrower-paid or lender-paid compensation.

In most cases, borrowers opt for lender-paid because it means they pay less (or nothing) out of their own pocket, which tends to be the preference.

You might still be on the hook for closing costs and/or mortgage points if you wish to buy down your rate, or obtain a slightly lower rate than what was initially offered. If there is a cost associated with the interest rate, you will have to pay mortgage discount points to obtain that rate.

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Those amazing rates you hear about, which might be in the 1-2% range, often require that you pay multiple points upfront out-of-pocket. This can equate to thousands of dollars at closing, which might save you money if you keep your loan long enough to recoup the costs.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

  • Rebates can cover some or all of your closing costs.
  • Lender-paid compensation means you pay less (or nothing) out-of-pocket.
  • Borrower-paid compensation means you pay the broker directly.
  • Mortgage discount points can be required to obtain a lower interest rate.
  • Closing costs and mortgage points can be thousands of dollars at closing.

If there’s a rebate, it goes to the borrower via a lender credit, meaning it can cover some or all of your closing costs so you don’t have to pay them out-of-pocket. This can be quite beneficial if you’re light on cash or simply don’t want to pay for a given interest rate.

Wholesale vs Retail Pricing

Wholesale pricing offers significantly lower interest rates compared to retail pricing.

Mortgage lenders offer two sets of interest rates: wholesale and retail.

Wholesale interest rates are offered to 3rd party originators like SELFi, which is a marketplace with over 30 lenders competing for your business with actual wholesale interest rates in real-time.

Retail interest rates are higher interest rates offered directly to the consumer.

SELFi offers wholesale interest rates in real-time, giving consumers a competitive advantage.

Wholesale Mortgage Rates

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Wholesale mortgage rates can be a great option for those with strong credit scores who are comfortable navigating the process. They can potentially save money compared to retail loans.

UWM, a leading wholesale mortgage lender, has announced a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage product offering a rate as low as 1.99%. This is a significant drop from the 2.88% average U.S. mortgage rate for last week, as measured by Freddie Mac.

To qualify for this ultra-low rate, borrowers will need to have a FICO score of at least 640. This is in line with the requirements for UWM's 15-year fixed-rate mortgage product, which also offers rates as low as 1.875%.

Low mortgage rates like these have spurred demand for real estate and supported home prices during the recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Association of Realtors reported a 21% increase in U.S. existing-home sales in June, the biggest monthly gain on record.

For those considering a wholesale mortgage, it's essential to note that cash-out and high-balance loans are not eligible for UWM's 1.99% program. Additionally, the product is only for owner-occupied properties.

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Comparison and Analysis

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Wholesale mortgage rates can be significantly lower than retail rates, with a difference of up to 1% or more.

In fact, a comparison of wholesale mortgage rates showed that on average, they are 0.75% lower than retail rates.

One of the main reasons wholesale mortgage rates are lower is that they are not subject to the same marketing and advertising costs as retail rates.

Wholesale mortgage rates are often offered to brokers who then pass the savings on to their customers.

As a result, customers who work with brokers may be able to secure better rates than those who go directly to a lender.

For example, a customer who qualifies for a $200,000 mortgage could save up to $1,500 per year by working with a broker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will mortgage rates ever be 3% again?

Mortgage rates returning to 3% are unlikely in the near future, with some experts predicting it may take decades. While possible, a 3% mortgage rate is not expected anytime soon.

Carolyn VonRueden

Junior Writer

Carolyn VonRueden is a versatile writer with a passion for crafting engaging content on a wide range of topics. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for research, Carolyn has established herself as a reliable voice in the world of finance and travel writing. Her portfolio boasts a diverse array of article categories, from exploring the benefits of cash cards to delving into the intricacies of Delta SkyMiles payment options.

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