How To Find A Good Mortgage Lender

Posted by Nick Niesen on October 29th, 2010

A house is one of the biggest purchases and investments you will make in your lifetime. With that said, it?s very important that you choose a lender with a strong reputation and one that you feel comfortable with.

To help set your mind at ease a bit, realize that mortgage lenders have a special interest in your loan also. The last thing they want is to have to foreclose on your house. They want you to succeed so that you will be able to manage the monthly payments. A good lender will put together a quality loan that works best for you.

Look for well-established lenders who are familiar with your market and make sure to ask questions. The communication and interpersonal skills are of the lender very important. Go ahead and set up appointments with several lenders to get an idea of what it would be like working with them. When speaking with the lender, make sure that they can deliver the loan within your timetable. Also, a lender should be receptive and not avoid answering your questions.

A few tips and things to consider when looking for a good lender are:

?Get a few referrals ? Ask your family members, friends and Real Estate agent who they recommend and might have dealt with in the past.

?When you meet the loan officer, do they appear professional, organized and knowledgeable?

?Find out which, if any, memberships the lender holds, i.e., Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, Mortgage Lender?s Association, etc.

?Is the lender offering you options to assist you with the down payment and / or closing costs?

?Ask the lender what their methods of communication will be with you during the loan process.

?Did the lender provide you with a Good Faith Estimate and Truth-In-Lending Disclosure? Legally, you should be provided with this paperwork within three days after submitting your application.

?What are the costs associated with the contract, i.e., closing costs, etc.?

?Has the lender provided you with copies of everything you?ve signed?

?Did the lender give you a complete list of everything you need to bring with you when you are ready to sign the loan application?

?Does the lender require that you sign a Borrower / Broker Contract? If they do, RUN. You do not want to do business with a broker that makes that demand.

You want to work with lender that you trust. If you still have questions when your interviews are finished, ask for references and talk to those individuals yourself. This is a big decision you?re making and you have the right to get all of the information you need and want.

Once you're comfortable with a mortgage lender, talk with them about the best way for you to structure your mortgage. Once offers for various loan types have been provided, you should talk with other mortgage companies and compare their rates to what you received. And always make sure to get your estimates in writing!

Remember that the mortgage that is best suited for you depends on several things. Your current financial situation, how and if you expect your finances to change, how long you plan on keeping your house and how comfortable you are with the possibility of your mortgage payment changing are all factors that need to be considered before signing any contracts.

Remember also that information is empowering and the more research and exploration you do, the better off you will be in the years to come. Make sure you are completely satisfied with the lender you choose because you want someone that will be there if you have questions, even after you close on your loan.