What does a mortgage service specialist do?

A Mortgage Service Specialist is an expert in mortgage administrative aspects. They review and verify loan application information, file borrower information, and process paperwork with the lending bank. They also authorize and recommend personal and commercial loans for approval. Math skills are necessary for this job for accuracy in calculating both the principal and interest amounts. They should also develop skills in handling transactions, foreclosing loans, communication, attention to detail, and customer service.
Mortgage service specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real mortgage service specialist resumes:
- Manage portfolio of GSE assets that are actively pursuing liquidation or retention options to cure default.
- Manage internal team SharePoint and document repository.
- Prepare and submit monthly loan status reports to loan investors (VA and HUD )
- Perform equity analysis via a case-by-case basis to determine cost effectiveness of litigation to both its investors and the company.
- Negotiate modifications, hardships, short sales and deed in lieu.
- Submit foreclosure postponement request when applicable through LPS and obtain FNMA approval.
- Assist customer with rate modifications, deed in lieu, and stipulation/consent orders.
- Provide bidding instructions and verify the purchase and conveyance when sell at auction.
- Evaluate when GSE loans require investor re-class and ensure re-class is complete prior to booking.
- Execute daily operations of reviewing and processing default and non default loans by using AS400 system.
- Examine loan documentation for accuracy and compliance with appropriate company and investor (FNMA and FHLMC) standards.
- Review title reports for outstanding title issues/ liens, code violation issues, and anything relate to HOA liens.
- Oversee complex negotiations and enter into contractual agreements with vendors, brokers/agents, buyers, governmental agencies and HOA's.
- Amend and approve bids for repair to conveyance condition and per scope of insurance adjuster's reports upon claim closing.
- Offer customers alternatives to foreclosures such as short sale, deed-in-lieu, and repayment plan options to minimize company losses.
Mortgage service specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Mortgage Service Specialists are proficient in Mortgage Loans, Customer Service, and Escrow Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Math skills, and Organizational skills.
We break down the percentage of Mortgage Service Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Mortgage Loans, 12%
Provided information and knowledgeable assistance regarding mortgage loans by retrieving loan information and providing customers their information quickly and efficiently.
- Customer Service, 9%
Utilize exceptional customer service and communication skills while identifying, analyzing, and resolving any customer and/or client processing issues.
- Escrow Analysis, 8%
Provide verbal and written explanations of escrow analysis to mortgagors.
- Inbound Calls, 7%
Take inbound calls to assist mortgagors grasp a better understanding of escrow, taxes, insurance & amortizations.
- Foreclosure Process, 4%
Validated mortgage information was correctly entered in the foreclosure processing system and verified that all State required documents were available.
- Real Estate, 4%
Evaluated secured real estate portfolio to resolve delinquent accounts.
Common skills that a mortgage service specialist uses to do their job include "mortgage loans," "customer service," and "escrow analysis." You can find details on the most important mortgage service specialist responsibilities below.
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a mortgage service specialist to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "financial clerks should be able to explain policies and procedures to colleagues and customers." Additionally, a mortgage service specialist resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "handled realtor communications and reo contractors in regards to property preservation. "
Math skills. Another essential skill to perform mortgage service specialist duties is math skills. Mortgage service specialists responsibilities require that "the job duties of financial clerks includes calculating charges and updating financial records." Mortgage service specialists also use math skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "produced and updated reports detailing loss mitigation and foreclosure statistics. "
Organizational skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of mortgage service specialists is organizational skills. This skill is critical to many everyday mortgage service specialist duties, as "financial clerks must be able to arrange files so they can find them quickly and efficiently." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "utilized excellent leadership and organizational abilities to manage pre-sale foreclosure processes on fha, va and conventional loans. "
The three companies that hire the most mortgage service specialists are:
- Bank of America11 mortgage service specialists jobs
- Mercantile Bank of Michigan5 mortgage service specialists jobs
- IBC Bank1 mortgage service specialists jobs
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Mortgage service specialist vs. Loan processor
A loan processor is responsible for assisting customers with their loan requests, ensuring their eligibility, and choosing the best loan options for their needs. Loan processors carefully review loan application documents and prepare loan proposals for underwriting, analyzing the applicant's financial status and credit scores, processing repayment plans, and adhering to banking and financial regulations. A loan processor must have excellent knowledge of the banking industry and processes to provide the best loan services for the customers efficiently and accurately.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a mortgage service specialist are more likely to require skills like "escrow analysis," "inbound calls," "foreclosure process," and "real estate." On the other hand, a job as a loan processor requires skills like "loan applications," "property appraisals," "escrow," and "loan packages." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Loan processors really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $39,138. Comparatively, mortgage service specialists tend to make the most money in the finance industry with an average salary of $37,778.On average, loan processors reach similar levels of education than mortgage service specialists. Loan processors are 0.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Mortgage service specialist vs. Transaction coordinator
A transaction coordinator is responsible for performing administrative and clerical duties for the clients regarding their real estate contracts and transactions. Transaction coordinators sometimes do fieldwork to inspect the property area, write findings reports, perform cost and expenses analysis, and inform the clients of required documentation. They also identify resources and other alternatives that would most likely fit the client's budget limitations and interests. A transaction coordinator must have excellent organizational and communication skills, especially in coordinating with other organizations to process the client's requirements for property acquisition.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real mortgage service specialist resumes. While mortgage service specialist responsibilities can utilize skills like "escrow analysis," "inbound calls," "foreclosure process," and "real estate," transaction coordinators use skills like "mls," "escrow companies," "real estate transactions," and "data entry."
Transaction coordinators earn a higher average salary than mortgage service specialists. But transaction coordinators earn the highest pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $64,010. Additionally, mortgage service specialists earn the highest salaries in the finance with average pay of $37,778 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Transaction coordinators tend to reach similar levels of education than mortgage service specialists. In fact, they're 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Mortgage service specialist vs. Closing coordinator
In the real estate industry, a closing coordinator is in charge of coordinating the final stages of a real estate deal, ensuring efficiency and smooth transaction. Among their responsibilities include preparing and processing legal documents, liaising with the buyer and seller, managing timelines and payment plans, and ensuring that both parties adhere to the terms of the agreement. Moreover, a closing coordinator must maintain an active communication line with staff, answering their inquiries, and assisting them as needed.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from mortgage service specialist resumes include skills like "escrow analysis," "inbound calls," "foreclosure process," and "real estate," whereas a closing coordinator is more likely to list skills in "escrow," "hoa," "hud-1," and "lender approval. "
Closing coordinators earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $45,518. Comparatively, mortgage service specialists have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $37,778.When it comes to education, closing coordinators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to mortgage service specialists. In fact, they're 0.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Mortgage service specialist vs. Loan coordinator
A Loan Coordinator is responsible for processing loan applications and determining the eligibility of applicants for loan options. Loan Coordinators perform administrative and clerical duties under the supervision of a loan supervisor. They file reports, monitor transactions, and review the applicants' credit scores. A loan coordinator must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially responding to the applicants' inquiries and concerns, resolving complaints, and directing them to the loan personnel for any updates on their applications.
Types of mortgage service specialist
Updated January 8, 2025











