Dual Licensing: As a Realtor is it worth getting your NMLS mortgage broker license?

[AJ Wong]

The short answer to whether licensed real estate brokers/agents should obtain their NMLS mortgage broker license is: Yes. 

I began my RE career in 2003 during the 'boom' times as a mortgage broker. It was my first real career (after series 7 licensed securities broker) and I was usually dealing with investors from the previous generation. 

Fast forward twenty years and (maybe a $100M in cumulative real estate transactions later) and I'm still advising investors on asset management, typically focused on real estate as an agent OR mortgage broker, but conversely with clientele of my own age group with similar goals. 

For those Real Estate Professionals focused on the transactional side of real estate and (not licensed or experienced with real estate financing) I'm not sure how you are doing it? Even as a seller focused or listing broker, providing investors with live mortgage rates, programs and accurate resources has proven essential to maximizing transactional incentive and client conversion throughout the years..

Although I've never actually executed dual duties on any single transactions (and don't think most investors want to entrust that responsibility to a individual party - nor would I want it!) the majority of clients we work with as a real estate representative utilize one of our preferred lenders. As a licensed mortgage broker I'm further compliantly (and confidently) able to provide mortgage insight and direct the customer to the most suitable lending partner or program.  

A substantial portion of my real estate transactions 'work' because the borrower was paired with a lender offering unique qualification or feasible terms that meet or exceed the investors original ROI, COC, down payment or general investment goals.

Examples: Medical Professional Financing (stronger rates and limited down), low down payments of 3.5-10% on jumbo primary, second home or investment properties, 10% down for investment properties of 1-4 units (with no PMI) and portfolio or private loans with attractive ARM or seller carried rates we negotiated.

Without being a licensed mortgage professional some of these tools would not be available or more likely at the disposal of the marketplace and the 'research' or relationships they've cultivated with statistically limited mortgage experience..even as a professional great mortgage brokers and companies are hard to find...With 65%+ of residential transactions still involving a loans, real estate professionals with expertise in real estate financing will deliver enhanced value to their clients.  

In comparison to annual MLS dues, the cost of obtaining an NMLS license is negligible, and more importantly the value of expertise it provides clients is net positive investment for time and expense. It takes 30-45 days, can be done online and needs to be renewed annually. State costs vary, but more or less should be +/- $750-1000 to get obtain your NMLS mortgage license (with courses) and most states permit dual licensing in which brokers can be legally compensated on both sides of a transaction.

I'd be very cautious about performing dual capacities in any single transaction for two reasons: 1. Successful real estate representation is hard 2. Closing loans is hard. I don't know how difficult it is to simultaneously execute because I've not personally done so. But twenty years of mortgage experience and cohesion as a licensed mortgage resource does two things for my clients and real estate business: 1. Amplifies performance. 2.  No - No Clear to Closes.