Has anyone heard of Home Financial Services, Inc.?

These guys?

http://www.ezhomemoney.com/

They describe themselves as "a premiere mortgage brokerage and lending institution", which leaves their business model a little ambiguous. Looks to me like they're basically brokers.

Yep - what's the risk I run with an ambiguous business model? If it implodes, what happens to the mortgage I carry with them?

There's no way to know. If all they do is broker the deal, their fate matters very little to you, though it could be inconvenient if they fold before you close.

Your longer-term due diligence should probably focus on the lender and servicer. Unfortunately, by the time it beds down - no matter who the original lender of record may be - your mortgage could belong to some middle-eastern sovereign wealth fund and be serviced by a bureau in India.

The good news is, if you make your payments on time, you should be fine.

Go with a bank.

ANYONE HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MORTGAGES AND RATES, PLEASE ASK AWAY. OR EMAIL ME AT sunny_hong@countrywide.com.