1. Ask a trusted friend, advisor or relative for a recommendation. Use the following list to help remind you what questions to ask your friend or advisor:

• Did the home loan consultant take time to explain all of the steps of the loan application and approval process?
• Were they offered a choice of different loan products?
• Were they provided a Good Faith Estimate of all closing costs within three days of their application?
• Were they provided a Truth-in-Lending showing all the costs of credit?
• Were they given a written pre-approval letter/certificate within a reasonable time?
• Did the loan close in the time they were told to expect?
• Were there any unexpected changes in the terms at closing?
• Would they use this lender for a future purchase or refinance? Why, or why not?

2. Ask your real estate professional to give you the names of three home loan consultants who have worked successfully with his or her buyer clients. When contacting the lender be sure to ask:

• Can you obtain a pre-qualification to estimate what you can afford?
• What is the pre-approval process at that office? Is there a fee?
• Will you be offered a choice of programs to meet your needs?
• Using your basic information, what loan programs does the loan consultant anticipate would best suit your needs?
• What are the current rates for those programs? (Remember, interest rates go up or down with choice of discount points.)
• What lender fees are charged and how much are they?
• Will the quoted rate be locked in? What is the lock-in period and is there a fee?