Bottom line, its all based on percents (points). For the ease of my demonstration, I am going to use a loan amount of 100,000 (you don't even do 2nds for 100k these days). The higher a rate you sell the borrower, the more points you can get from the lender. On a 30-year fixed, at 5.875, you might only get .5 point, but at 6.375, you are getting 2 points, or $2,000. You can also charge points on the front, so if you charge 1 point up front, and get a 2 rebate from the lender, you are now making $3,000 on the loan. Based on the arrangement you have, you have to 'split' the commission with your broker, anywhere from 50% with a shitty split, or 80-85% with a generous split. I will use a 70% split for this purpose. Out of the $3,000 you make, $2,100. If you do that 3 times in a month, you make $6,300. Its pretty easy, if you are good and you have a good processor that works for you. A good loan officer can realistically close 10 loans a month. And now the loan officers are pushing these shitty loans called "Pay Option ARM"s. Without goin into the ins and outs, the lender pays 3% rebate on those loans. So, on your $100,000 loan, with a point up front and 3 rebate, the gross to the house is $4,000, you bring home $2,800 after the broker takes his cut off top. Again, close 3 loans in a month, you made $8,400. ****OH YEAH: ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS Bonus your processors!! Some brokers frown on it, but the processor is not going to tell on themselves and lose out on the cash. When you get your check, give up between $100-$300. It won't go unnoticed and you will also see your processor step their game up.****