Chicago Tribune - SEATTLE - Washington Mutual Inc., the nation's largest savings and loan, said Monday that it will write down the value of its home unit by as much as $1.6 billion in the fourth quarter and cut 3,150 jobs as losses in the mortgage market ... Brokers are the ones who help you find lending companies with the best mortgage rates. Brokers have a greater access into the best mortgage rate options posted by lending companies. This means that you get a wider selection of loan products and terms for you to decide which one has the best mortgage rate.