When you're buying or selling a home, it can feel like there’s an army of people involved — and sometimes it’s confusing to know who does what! Two of the most important people you'll work with are your lender and your real estate agent (or broker). While they both play key roles in your transaction, their responsibilities are very different. Understanding what each professional does can help make your experience smoother, faster, and much less stressful.
What Does a Lender Do?
In short, your lender helps you finance your home purchase.
A lender can be a bank, credit union, mortgage company, or even an independent mortgage broker. Their job is to evaluate your financial situation — things like your income, credit score, debts, and savings — and determine how much money you can borrow to buy a home.
They guide you through the mortgage process, helping you choose the right loan type (like a conventional, FHA, or VA loan) and securing the best possible interest rate.
One major part of the lender’s role that many people don't realize is ordering the home appraisal.
Once you're under contract, the lender arranges for an independent appraiser to visit the property and determine its fair market value. This ensures that the home is worth the price you're paying — and protects both you and the lender before finalizing the loan.
Key things a lender handles:
-
Pre-approval letters (so you know how much you can afford)
-
Mortgage applications
-
Ordering the home appraisal
-
Loan processing and underwriting
-
Final loan approval and funding at closing
Without a lender, most buyers wouldn’t be able to finance a home purchase.
What Does a Real Estate Agent/Broker Do?
Your real estate agent or broker is your guide to finding — or selling — your home.
They know the local market inside and out and act as your trusted advisor throughout the buying or selling process. If you’re buying, they help you find the right property, negotiate offers, and navigate inspections and closing details. If you're selling, they market your home, find buyers, and negotiate the best price on your behalf.
Key things a real estate agent or broker handles:
-
Property searches or home marketing
-
Setting up and coordinating showings
-
Writing and negotiating offers
-
Helping manage inspections, appraisals, and closing details
-
Providing expert advice every step of the way
Without an agent or broker, you could miss out on expert negotiations, market insights, and protection through the complexities of a real estate deal.
How Lenders and Agents Work Together for You
Think of your lender and your real estate agent as your home-buying dream team.
Your agent helps you find the home you love and negotiates the purchase, while your lender helps you secure the financing to pay for it. They communicate often behind the scenes to make sure everything stays on track for your closing date — so you're never stuck wondering what’s happening next.
Typically, once you go under contract on a home, it takes about 30 to 45 days to reach the closing table.
During this time, the lender will process your loan, order the appraisal, and finalize underwriting. Meanwhile, your agent will help coordinate inspections, negotiate any repairs if needed, and make sure all deadlines are met.
Smooth communication between your agent and lender is crucial to avoid any last-minute surprises!
Thinking about buying or selling a home?
Our team works closely with trusted lenders to make sure your experience is smooth from start to finish.
Contact me today to get started — I;m here to help you move confidently into your next chapter!
