Loan brokerage through the broker

Hello everyone,

we are interested in a single-family house and are about to make an offer. The real estate agent belongs to a larger organization and made us aware that they also operate in the area of loan brokerage (not in the same role but affiliated). On the one hand, I don't like the idea that the agent might indirectly gain such deep insight into our finances. On the other hand, I wonder if offers financed through the affiliated loan brokerage might be given preferential treatment. After all, there is a good commission at stake there. Are there any experiences with this? What is the best strategic approach? Or am I overthinking it?

On the one hand, I don't like that the real estate agent might indirectly gain such deep insight into our finances.

I don't find it problematic. It doesn't really help the agent either – at most, if she only receives negative results from banks. But then she just gets the information a bit faster than if you personally decide to step back from the property (and, if necessary, choose a more flattering excuse).

On the other hand, I wonder whether offers financed through the affiliated loan brokerage might be favored.

No. There is practically no choice of platforms to inquire at banks. It doesn't matter who comes through the platform. On the other hand, a machine decides first anyway, and it doesn't care at all who submits the inquiry. No more humans, only automation + a traffic light system.

Are there any experiences regarding this? What is the strategically best way?

Use loan brokers – any. Feel free to check out Dr. Klein, Interhyp, and similar. Maybe your agent works with fewer banks than others.

Or am I overthinking this?

Yes.

Thank you for your answers.

Nope. There is practically no choice of platforms through which you can inquire at banks. It doesn't matter who comes through the platform. On the other hand, a machine initially decides anyway, which doesn't care at all who submits the inquiry. No more humans, only automation + traffic light system.

I already suspected that. However, my question about the "preference" was not about the loan, but rather about which purchase offer ultimately wins the contract (in case several similarly high bids are submitted for the house).

Of course, it can happen to you that in the end, the one who finances directly through the broker and thereby provides them with a commission gets the contract. But what good does that do you. If you don't feel comfortable with this business model, then that's how it is and you should leave it. With rental apartments, it is absolutely common that only those who take over the worn-out kitchen for an exorbitant price come into close consideration or are recommended by the previous tenant. That is not okay, that is not nice. But if you are one of 50 applicants, then you have to live with it or keep looking.

Hello, it can happen that the person who gets the contract A - wants to pay the same price and B - arranges the financing through the real estate agent. As I said, this is also not unusual. Always compare loans as well.

Thank you very much for your assessments. Out of curiosity: What is the average loan commission? I assume it is a percentage of the loan amount?