Mango:
Sounds like I struck a nerve. From early on in the process I realized I was dealing with a broker that was playing the game. Therefore, I needed to proceed with caution.
"So you're saying that you went to a Broker and he picked your loan product for you like parents select a child's clothing? Funny, my clients know exactly what loan product they want like a fixed 30 or 40, an adjustable, etc. or we may discuss all available options, but I have never just selected a loan product out of a hat for someone."
I'll ignore the fact that your response is rude and explain what I mean.
When I told the broker I was looking for a 7/1 ARM, he reviewed his rate sheet, which was unavailable to me. I will assume that you understand that the rate sheet shows a variety of lenders that are offering 7/1 ARM's with differing YSP amounts. From the brokers perspective, he was looking for a lender that would offer a relatively low rate with a relatively high payback. Then he would choose the lender that met his needs, while meeting my needs for a 7/1 ARM. He did not want to disclose up front what the product he chose paid.
"I suppose if your employer asked you to work for free you would comply then?"
Once again, you seem to misunderstand my point. I was speaking about the negotiation process. Of course, I couldn't reasonably expect a broker to do the deal for free. Rather, I was pointing out the fact that there was no resolution at that point regarding the fee the broker was going to receive for doing the deal. A posted range of fees does not help me know what I am actually paying.
"There is a range because in some transactions the consumer may buydown their interest rate with points which means you would be paying a Broker Fee, and you would know exactly at time of lock how much the Broker was earning on that loan."
I am not talking about discount points, which would be clearly disclosed on line 802 of the GFE. Are you really a broker?
On the day that I locked, the broker knew exactly which lender he was going to use; therefore, the YSP was known to him at that time. Just because the YSP was known to him at that time, does not mean that he was required to disclose the specific amount on the GFE. The law says as long as he discloses the amount three days prior to closing, he is in compliance. My broker did not want to disclose at the time he "locked" my rate.
"You had the option of pulling your loan and going elsewhere if you were not happy with the rate and terms."
Exactly; however, I would go through the same process if I called around to other brokers. Why waste time if I end up with the product and terms that is acceptable to me? Further, I could have called a variety of lenders directly, but did not want to spend the time doing so.
"Congratulations, that's like going to a Ball game, agreeing to pay the price of a box seat ticket, then asking for a refund because you think the ball players are compensated too much."
Irrelevant point. You forget the YSP is my money and not the brokers. He wanted to help himself to all of it, but I wanted some of it back. Negotiation is prudent. Additionally, I needed a copy of the rate lock confirmation to ensure that the broker wasn't telling me one thing and doing another. With this broker, I needed to verify everything given my experience up to that point in time.
"I am curious why you went to a mortgage broker at all if you do not like the disclosure process of Brokers? I'm guessing it's because the Banks do not have to disclose their income to the consumer, just provide a rate lock agreement and you couldn't dip your hands in their pocket."
Granted, had the broker disclosed everything up front, it would have been a smoother process. However; as mentioned above, I went to a broker to save me from having to shop a variety of lenders directly.
Hope that answers your questions.
Little Fish