Realtor Who Is Also a Loan Officer: A Guide to Dual Licensed Realtor MLOs
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial steps you’ll ever take. The process involves many moving parts—finding the right house, negotiating a fair deal, getting approved for a mortgage, and closing on time. Many folks looking to buy a home end up teaming up with a real estate agent and a loan officer. But did you know some professionals are licensed to do both jobs? These specialists are called dual licensed realtor MLOs.
In this guide, we’ll explain what a dual licensed realtor MLO is, how they can help you, the pros and cons of working with one, what to expect in today’s commission environment, and how to decide if it’s the right choice for your home purchase.
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What Is a Dual Licensed Realtor MLO?
A dual licensed realtor MLO is someone who holds both:
- A real estate license (issued by the state’s Department of Real Estate or equivalent).
- An NMLS license (Nationwide Multistate Licensing System) that allows them to originate mortgage loans.
This unique combination means they can represent you when buying or selling a home while handling your mortgage application. Instead of hiring two professionals, you get one expert managing both sides of your transaction.
How a Dual Licensed Realtor MLO Can Help Homebuyers
Working with a dual licensed realtor MLO can simplify the process by giving you one central point of contact. Their services often include:
- Helping you shop for homes that fit your budget.
- Running property value comparisons and giving market insights.
- Explaining mortgage options based on your income, credit, and goals.
- Submitting your loan application.
- Issuing pre-approval letters so you can make strong offers.
- Coordinating escrow, title, and closing.
- Guiding you through disclosures, inspections, and final loan documents.
A dual licensed realtor MLO can feel like a one-stop shop for buyers who want everything managed in one place.
How Realtor Commissions Work in 2025
Traditionally, the seller paid real estate agents through a 6% commission split between the buyer’s and seller’s agents. However, this structure has changed after the NAR commission lawsuits and 2024 settlements.
As of 2025, sellers will not always be obligated to pay the buyer’s agent. This change means that buyers may need to negotiate and pay their dual licensed realtor, who is also a mortgage loan originator (MLO), directly. Additionally, commission rates have become more flexible and should be clearly detailed in the buyer’s broker agreement.
Always ask how your agent will be paid, and whether you are responsible for part of the commission.
Pros and Cons of Working With a Dual Licensed Realtor MLO
Before choosing this route, consider the benefits and potential drawbacks:
Pros
- Convenience: Working with a dual licensed Realtor and MLO simplifies the home buying process by providing you with one point of contact for both real estate and mortgage needs. This eliminates the need to juggle communication with separate professionals, making it easier to address questions and concerns directly.
- Streamlined Process: Having one expert handle both transactions can really cut down on delays and mix-ups. This simpler approach makes sharing info and coordinating things easier, resulting in a much smoother experience when buying a home.
- Market Knowledge: A dual licensed professional knows their stuff regarding the real estate market and mortgage lending rules. This knowledge helps them give great advice on property values and makes it easier for you to get through the loan process.
- Faster Pre-Approval: A dual licensed Realtor and MLO can whip up pre-approval letters on the spot, which really speeds up the home-buying process. Having quick access to financing options means you can jump on the perfect property as soon as you see it, giving you an advantage in the market.
Cons
- Conflict of Interest: When a single individual has a financial interest in both the real estate and mortgage commissions, it can create a conflict of interest. This scenario may lead to biased advice, as the agent may prioritize their financial gain over the client’s best interests.
- Limited Options: Dual licensed agents may tend to recommend specific lenders with whom they have established relationships. This can limit your options as a client, potentially preventing you from exploring all available financing solutions that might better suit your needs.
- Less Oversight: Dual licensed agents may tend to recommend specific lenders with whom they have established relationships. This can limit your options as a client, potentially preventing you from exploring all available financing solutions that better suit your needs.
Dual Licensed Realtor MLO vs. Separate Realtor + Loan Officer
| Feature | Dual Licensed Realtor MLO | Separate Realtor & Loan Officer |
| Convenience | One point of contact | Two different people |
| Speed | Faster pre-approvals | May take longer |
| Objectivity | Possible conflict of interest | Independent roles |
| Cost | May save fees (not guaranteed) | Standard split commissions |
| Expertise | Knowledge of both markets & loans | Each specializes in one area |
Bottom line: A dual licensed realtor MLO offers speed and simplicity, while two separate professionals may provide more checks and balances.
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What Paperwork to Expect
When you decide to work with a dual licensed realtor MLO, you’ll likely be asked to sign:
- A Buyer’s Broker Agreement (exclusive or non-exclusive).
- An Agency Disclosure that explains their role.
- A Loan Application through the NMLS system.
Read all agreements carefully and ask questions before signing. Also, make sure you understand the cancellation terms in case the relationship doesn’t work out.
What to Expect at Open Houses and Showings
If you attend an open house without your dual licensed realtor MLO, always hand the listing agent your agent’s business card. This avoids confusion about representation. Let your agent handle negotiations—direct contact with the listing agent could create conflicts.
Case Study: How Borrowers Benefit
At Gustan Cho Associates, many buyers succeed by working with a dual licensed realtor MLO. For example, a first-time homebuyer with less-than-perfect credit found comfort knowing their agent could also manage loan approval. Instead of bouncing between two people, everything was handled by one expert, saving time and stress.
Getting Pre-Approved With a Dual Licensed Realtor MLO
Pre-approval is the most important step in buying a home. Make sure the dual licensed realtor MLO you work with has experience handling challenging loan files, such as borrowers with high debt-to-income ratios or credit challenges. At Gustan Cho Associates, over 75% of our clients were denied elsewhere, but we close loans that other lenders cannot because we have no overlays on FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional loans.
Final Thoughts
Working with a dual licensed realtor MLO can be a smart move if you want convenience, speed, and a simplified process. You’ll have one expert guiding you from home search to closing. However, it’s important to understand commission changes, ask about potential conflicts of interest, and compare options before deciding.
At Gustan Cho Associates, we partner with trusted dual licensed realtor MLOs who know both real estate and mortgages inside out. Whether you have perfect credit or past challenges, we close loans that other lenders can’t.
Call us at 800-900-8569, text us for a faster response, or email us at alex@gustancho.com to connect with a dual licensed realtor MLO today.
Looking to Buy a Home? Work With an Agent Who’s Also a Mortgage Expert
A licensed MLO real estate agent can simplify your home buying and financing process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dual Licensed Realtor MLO:
Q: What Does a Dual Licensed Realtor MLO Do?
A: A dual licensed realtor MLO helps you find a home and also gets your mortgage loan approved, so you only work with one person instead of two.
Q: Is it Better to Work with a Dual Licensed Realtor MLO Than Two Separate People?
A: Many buyers like the convenience of a dual licensed realtor MLO, but others prefer having a separate agent and loan officer for extra checks and balances.
Q: How Does a Dual Licensed Realtor MLO Get Paid?
A: Like most real estate agents, a dual licensed realtor MLO usually earns a commission when your home closes. Sometimes, you may need to pay part of that commission yourself.
Q: Can a Dual Licensed Realtor MLO Save Me Time?
A: Yes, because a dual licensed realtor MLO can issue pre-approvals and handle the loan while showing you homes, making the process faster.
Q: Are There Risks in Working with a Dual Licensed Realtor MLO?
A: The primary concern is a possible conflict of interest since the same person earns money from both the home sale and the mortgage loan.
Q: Do I Still Need a Loan Officer if I Work With a Dual Licensed Realtor MLO?
A: No, a dual licensed realtor MLO is authorized to act as both your realtor and your loan officer.
Q: Can a Dual Licensed Realtor MLO Represent Both Me and the Seller?
A: That can create conflicts, so it’s usually best for a dual licensed realtor MLO to represent only one side—either the buyer or the seller.
Q: Will a Dual Licensed Realtor MLO Help Me at Open Houses?
A: Yes, you can attend open houses with your dual licensed realtor MLO or use their card to show you’re already represented.
Q: Can Working With a Dual Licensed Realtor MLO Save Me Money?
A: Sometimes. A dual licensed realtor MLO may streamline costs, but you should ask upfront about commissions and loan fees.
Q: How do I Know if a Dual Licensed Realtor MLO is Right for Me?
A: A dual licensed realtor MLO is a good choice if you want convenience and one point of contact. If you prefer more separation, you may want a separate realtor and loan officer.
This blog about “Working With Real Estate Agents Who Are NMLS Licensed MLO” was updated on September 23rd, 2025.
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