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What does a mortgage specialist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
What does a mortgage specialist do

Mortgage specialists are professionals who work with lending institutions to identify the best lending product for their clients in exchange for taking the title of the debtors' properties. These specialists must process mortgage loan applications by reviewing their paperwork to ensure accuracy and completeness before submitting for approval. They should monitor accounts during the bankruptcy proceedings to ensure that the rights of their clients are protected. Mortgage specialists are also required to guide associates regarding procedural guidelines from FNMA, FHLMC, and MHA.

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Mortgage specialist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real mortgage specialist resumes:

  • Manage internal team SharePoint and document repository.
  • Time management and organization skills to effectively prioritize multiple objectives and achieve volume goals.
  • Work due diligence and process loans per FHLMC guidelines on conventional, USDA, FHA/VA and CHFA/DAP loans.
  • Advise clients with mortgage needs by providing information regarding traditional and government programs, including USVA, FHA and VA loans.
  • Review HUD-1's to confirm fees and charges with initial GFE and RESPA compliance, order wire and provide funding approval.
  • Maintain a working knowledge of FDCPA and RESPA guidelines.
  • Work in accordance to FDCPA and all consumer privacy laws.
  • Review and process customer mortgage accounts that are in need of a loan modification through AS400.
  • Calculate lender fees, prepare final HUD-1 and range wire transfers send all loans are properly close.
  • Release collateral on paid off loans, including the preparation of discharges, UCC terminations, if require.
  • Originate and structure mortgage loans in the FHA, conforming, non-conforming and expand approval purchase and refinance markets.
  • Provide guidance to associates within unit regarding procedural guidelines, (FHA/VA, FNMA, FHLMC, MHA etc).
  • Update customer accounts to current status by offering different options including repayment or workout plans: HUD, HAMP, HAFA.
  • Maintain a working knowledge of all current title laws, procedures and compliance as related to HUD statements and closing documents.
  • Validate mortgage applications for alterations requiring re-disclosure under RESPA guidelines.

Mortgage specialist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 22% of Mortgage Specialists are proficient in Customer Service, Residential Mortgage Loans, and Origination. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Math skills, and Organizational skills.

We break down the percentage of Mortgage Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 22%

    Mortgage Specialist achieving new business development objectives through effective client networking, attentive customer service, and goal-driven sales tactics.

  • Residential Mortgage Loans, 6%

    Originated residential mortgage loans and provided internal support for high producing loan officers.

  • Origination, 6%

    Developed effective partnerships with non-profit organizations and community developments to improve origination of affordable housing loans for first time home buyers.

  • FHA, 5%

    Determine Conventional, VA or FHA eligibility by contacting VA or FHA offices whenever necessary to verify eligibility.

  • Va, 5%

    Ordered VA appraisals via the Veterans Affairs website; assisted with the creation of investor specific daily procedures.

  • Loan Applications, 4%

    Directed full loan application procedure, including organizing applications, complying required financial information, and communicating with customers.

Most mortgage specialists use their skills in "customer service," "residential mortgage loans," and "origination" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential mortgage specialist responsibilities here:

Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a mortgage specialist to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what mortgage specialists do because "financial clerks should be able to explain policies and procedures to colleagues and customers." Additionally, a mortgage specialist resume shows how mortgage specialists use communication skills: "frequent communication with brokers and correspondents to discuss loan submissions and help resolve issues and expedite loan closings. "

Math skills. Many mortgage specialist duties rely on math skills. "the job duties of financial clerks includes calculating charges and updating financial records.," so a mortgage specialist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways mortgage specialist responsibilities rely on math skills: "demonstrated excellent organizational skills refined supervisory skills skills used data entry customer service math and computer skills"

Organizational skills. This is an important skill for mortgage specialists to perform their duties. For an example of how mortgage specialist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "financial clerks must be able to arrange files so they can find them quickly and efficiently." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a mortgage specialist: "provided strong communication and organizational skills proactively manage files in processing/closing with excellent customer service skills. ".

See the full list of mortgage specialist skills

The three companies that hire the most mortgage specialists are:

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Compare different mortgage specialists

Mortgage 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.

We looked at the average mortgage specialist salary and compared it with the wages of a loan processor. Generally speaking, loan processors are paid $635 lower than mortgage specialists per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both mortgage specialist and loan processor positions are skilled in customer service, fha, and loan applications.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between mortgage specialists and loan processor. For instance, mortgage specialist responsibilities require skills such as "residential mortgage loans," "origination," "va," and "inbound calls." Whereas a loan processor is skilled in "property appraisals," "mortgage loans," "escrow," and "lenders." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Loan processors earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $39,138. On the other hand, mortgage specialists are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $41,888.On average, loan processors reach similar levels of education than mortgage specialists. Loan processors are 1.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Mortgage specialist vs. Loan closer

A loan closer is primarily in charge of handling and closing loan documentation, ensuring accuracy and smooth transactions. A loan closer's responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to guarantee that they adhere to every term in the contract, preparing necessary reports and documents, monitoring payment progress, and ensuring that they have a deep understanding of the obligations under the contract. Furthermore, it is essential to maintain records of all transactions and assist clients, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Loan closer positions earn higher pay than mortgage specialist roles. They earn a $336 higher salary than mortgage specialists per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both mortgage specialists and loan closers have skills such as "customer service," "origination," and "fha. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, mortgage specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "residential mortgage loans," "outbound calls," "inbound calls," and "escrow accounts." Meanwhile, a loan closer has duties that require skills in areas such as "excellent organizational," "trid," "data entry," and "settlement statements." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, loan closers earn a higher salary than mortgage specialists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, loan closers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $40,817. Whereas mortgage specialists have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $41,888.In general, loan closers achieve similar levels of education than mortgage specialists. They're 0.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Mortgage specialist vs. Negotiator

A Negotiator is primarily in charge of communicating with clients and business partners to negotiate and establish sales, building positive relationships in the process. They typically perform market research and analysis to develop plans and sales pitches, coordinate with the company's legal team, arrange appointments with clients to discuss contract terms, and address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Moreover, a negotiator maintains an active communication line with staff, regularly reporting to managers for a smooth and efficient workflow.

On average scale, negotiators bring in higher salaries than mortgage specialists. In fact, they earn a $24,875 higher salary per year.By looking over several mortgage specialists and negotiators resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "fha," "outbound calls," and "respa." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, mortgage specialists are more likely to have skills like "customer service," "residential mortgage loans," "origination," and "va." But a negotiator is more likely to have skills like "powerpoint," "nielsen," "foreclosure," and "strategic sourcing."

Negotiators earn the highest salary when working in the media industry, where they receive an average salary of $94,895. Comparatively, mortgage specialists have the highest earning potential in the finance industry, with an average salary of $41,888.When it comes to education, negotiators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to mortgage specialists. In fact, they're 0.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 3.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Mortgage specialist vs. Closer

The duties of a closer depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to ensure that they understand and adhere to all terms of the agreement, completing all requirements and necessary documents, and maintaining records of all transactions. A closer must also monitor the regular payments of clients to ensure their compliance with the agreement, answer any inquiries, perform follow-up calls, and address any issues or concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently.

Closers tend to earn a lower pay than mortgage specialists by an average of $9,466 per year.According to resumes from mortgage specialists and closers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "customer service," "fha," and "va."

Even though a few skill sets overlap between mortgage specialists and closers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a mortgage specialist might have more use for skills like "residential mortgage loans," "origination," "loan applications," and "loan origination." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of closers require skills like "cleanliness," "punctuality," "dependability," and "food orders. "

In general, closers hold similar degree levels compared to mortgage specialists. Closers are 2.5% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of mortgage specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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