Print PageTwo in five people obtaining home loans for the first time are using mortgage brokers, new research shows.
Mortgage brokers have been responsible for $100 billion worth of home loans written during the 2012 calendar year, according to researcher Comparator's analysis of the industry.
"It is clear that both consumers and lenders are recognising brokers' increasingly important role and as a result, their share will continue to gather momentum during 2013," said Phil Naylor, CEO of the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia.
Mr Naylor said brokers originated more than 40 per cent of all new residential lending, and the number of people seeking a broker could keep increasing.
"It's been on an upward trajectory for the last couple of years - we could see it going up to 50 per cent or maybe even more," he said.
Brokers are able to access all the offers available to borrowers who were often time-poor, Mr Naylor said.
During the December quarter lending volumes increased 5.5 per cent, from $25.6 billion to $27.2 billion.
The research shows the average value of home loans originated by brokers totals $337,000.
