If you are in the market to purchase a home, your first step should be to secure your mortgage. For many people, this is the stressful part on where to go to apply for your mortgage. Usually your decision is between a mortgage broker or a direct mortgage lender. A mortgage broker acts as the mediator, helping to identify the best lender for your situation. Once the lender is chosen, the broker will then move forward with collecting your documentation and processing your loan so the lender can disperse the funds for the home loan. A mortgage lender is a financial institution, such as a bank that offers mortgages. We recommend you look into several different lenders if you are looking to go that route, where as a mortgage broker does that step for you.