Mortgage refinancing can be an intimidating task. With so many options for your mortgage loan, how do you know which one is right for you? Here are the qualities you should look for when shopping for a mortgage lender. Choosing the right mortgage lender will ensure you get a good interest rate, reasonable closing costs, and good service.
When shopping for a lender to refinance your current mortgage, look for the following qualities.
Look For a Lender With a Good Reputation
You want to choose a mortgage lender with a good reputation. Check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if complaints have been filed against them. Ask around your neighborhood to see if any of your neighbors have had dealings with that lender.
Look for Reasonable Interest Rates and Closing Costs
To find a mortgage lender that offers the best interest rates and closing costs you need to shop from a variety of lenders and brokers. When comparing loan offers pay attention to any administrative lender fees, points, and prepayment penalties. If these costs seem high compared to other mortgage lenders you should cross that mortgage company off your list.
Customer Service
Customer service is becoming a less important issue. There is no guarantee that the company you select will not turn around and sell your loan to another mortgage company. Many lenders are now outsourcing their customer service to companies in India. Customer service is a crapshoot now, plan on receiving bad customer service and you might be pleasantly surprised.
My name is Rob Regehr and I’m a personal finance writer with a chip on my shoulder for banks and brokers that take advantage of my friends and neighbors.
