There are thousands of mortgage lenders across the country, each with many different loan products. There's a mortgage product for just about everyone.
Banks
One place to check is your local bank. This can result in a reasonably good deal for the qualified customer. In many other cases, the bank will not have a program that fits your needs, or you may fall outside the guidelines of its lending ability.
Once you have visited your bank, look in the real estate section of your local paper for the rates at other banks.
The Web
The Web lets you comparison shop, right from the comfort of your own computer. Not only that, but you don't have to hunt down a hundred different banks -- certain aggregator sites have done that for you. In fact, you might check out the loan services provided by our Home Center sponsors. Each of these companies can help you shop for the lowest mortgage rates.
You might well find the cheapest rates in town (or in the country) on the Internet. If, however, you end up working with a real estate agent, you might feel more secure with a lender that has a relationship with your agent. The idea is this: The agent brings business to the lender, so the lender has some sense of responsibility toward honoring commitments with that agent's clients by providing the client with all options available.
When should I shop for a mortgage?
Ideally, you should find a lender and get "pre-qualified" for a mortgage before you ever start looking for a house. Not only will you feel more confident knowing that you'll have a certain amount of money (which can also narrow down your price range for potential houses), but you'll be a more serious candidate to sellers.
What information should I get from the mortgage company?
There are many questions to ask prospective lenders. Don't be afraid to ask any question, even if you think it may sound ridiculous, you are going to pay them a lot of money for a very long time. They serve you, not the other way around. If you feel the loan does not suit you don't be afraid to express this and have them find another option.
