Mortgage companies are non-bank businesses built around one product: the home loan. In Crozet, they sit alongside banks and credit unions as a common place to start a purchase or refinance. This page explains how a mortgage company differs from a bank, the channels it can sell through, and what happens to your loan after you sign, so you know what you are signing up for in Virginia.
Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about mortgage companies in Crozet. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.
How Albemarle County borrowers financed homes
Of the 2,065 home loans originated in Albemarle County in 2024, 87% were conventional and 13% were government-backed (FHA, VA or USDA). Refinances and cash-out refinances together were 20% of the county's loans. The median household income in Crozet is about $129,400.
Mortgage company or bank: what is different
The core difference is the funding model. Banks can lend out deposits. Non-bank mortgage companies borrow short-term to close loans, then sell those loans to investors to free up money for the next borrower.
For you, this often means a company focused tightly on getting home loans to closing, with processors and underwriters who specialize in mortgages. It can also mean your loan moves to a new owner after closing. Neither model is better by default. Ask how the company funds loans and whether it plans to keep or sell yours.
Start your application in a few minutes. A licensed loan officer reviews it and follows up with your options.
- Takes a few minutes
- Reviewed by a licensed loan officer
- No obligation to proceed
Prefer to talk first? Call (888) 912-6746. Applying is not a loan approval or commitment to lend; programs vary by borrower, property and investor. ClearPoint Mortgage Advisors, NMLS #173855. Properties in FL, NY, NJ, PA, CT and VA only.
Retail and wholesale channels
Mortgage companies reach borrowers through different channels. In the retail channel, the company works with you directly through its own loan officers, and its own staff process, underwrite and close the loan.
In the wholesale channel, the company does not meet you at all. An independent mortgage broker takes your application and submits it to the wholesale company, which underwrites and funds the loan. Some companies run both channels. Knowing which one you are in tells you who your day-to-day contact is and who makes the final credit decision. Ask early so there are no surprises later.
Who this tends to fit
- You want to know whether your loan will be sold or serviced in-house
- You want a home loan from a company that focuses only on mortgages
- You want a short list of questions to ask a company before applying
- You are comparing a non-bank mortgage company with your own bank
- Your current servicer changed and you want to understand why
Local offices and Virginia rules to know
Mortgage lenders, brokers and loan originators serving Virginia are licensed by the Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Financial Institutions. You can confirm any company's or loan officer's license on NMLS Consumer Access before you apply.
Who you pay after closing in Crozet
Ask any mortgage company whether it services its own loans or sells the servicing. A company that keeps servicing will collect your payments, manage your escrow account and handle questions for the life of the loan.
If servicing is sold, you will receive a goodbye letter from the current servicer and a welcome letter from the new one. Never send money based on a single letter or call. Verify the new servicer's contact details through your existing statement or account, and keep records of every payment made during the switch. Save the letters with your closing papers.
Before you call
- A question about whether the company services loans or sells servicing
- Homeowners insurance details and your current property tax bill
- Recent statements for accounts you will use for closing costs
- Proof of income such as pay stubs, W-2 forms or tax returns
- A question about whether you are in its retail or wholesale channel
Questions Crozet borrowers ask about mortgage companies
What is the difference between retail and wholesale lending?
In retail lending, you work directly with the company's own loan officers and staff. In wholesale lending, a mortgage broker takes your application and sends it to the company, which then underwrites and funds the loan. Your main contact differs depending on the channel, so it helps to ask which one you are in at the start.
What should I ask a mortgage company before applying?
Ask for the company's NMLS ID and the loan officer's NMLS ID. Ask which loan programs it offers, whether it underwrites in-house, and whether it plans to keep servicing or sell it. Ask who your main contact will be and how often you will get updates. Clear, direct answers suggest a company that communicates well.
What is a mortgage company?
A mortgage company is a non-bank business that originates home loans. It does not take deposits like a bank or credit union. Most mortgage companies fund loans using short-term credit lines and then sell the loans to investors. They must be licensed in each state where they lend, and their loan officers must hold individual licenses as well.
Why did my loan get transferred to another company?
Servicing rights, which include collecting payments and managing escrow, are often bought and sold. A transfer does not change the terms of your loan, such as the balance or interest terms. You should receive written notice from both the old and new servicer. Federal rules also protect you from late fees for a short period if a payment goes to the old servicer.
Get answers about mortgage companies for a home in or around Crozet. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.
Other loan options in Crozet
LendersBrokersHome loansRefinanceCash-out refinanceHELOCHome equity loanFHAVAFirst-time buyerUSDAJumboReverse mortgageConstructionRenovation
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Related guides
- How to Choose a Mortgage Lender
- The Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure, Explained
- Documents Needed for a Mortgage
Mortgage Companies across Virginia · Mortgage Companies guide · Virginia overview
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates
- 2024 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data for Albemarle County