Retail loan vs. Wholesale loan through broker

[Michael M.]

I recently spoke with an independent mortgage broker about getting a loan.

The broker said I would qualify, and after giving in my information, he said that the loan would be through an online lender that offers retail loans.  I received an email from the wholesale department of the online lender with next steps.

The broker charges a large broker fee.

Is it advantageous to complete this loan through the broker, or would I get the same product and avoid the broker fee if I just contact the online lender directly and get a retail loan?

Do brokers get better rates/products that regular retail customers?  

Will I end up saving over the life of the loan by paying the broker's fee up front?

Can a broker get me qualified for a product that I would not qualify for on my own?

Are there other fees that I would be paying directly to the loan company that I am avoiding by going through the broker?

Thanks