Jane Hale asked:




Shopping around for a new home can be a long and tiresome process. Between overpriced housing markets and potential bidding wars, it is easy for a home buyer to become frustrated. However, the process of finding a good mortgage lender should not be stressful. Choosing a good lender is critical. For this reason, home buyers must avoid rushing the process or making haste decisions. If buying a home in Alabama, buyers should consider three factors when selecting a mortgage lender. Consider the following helpful tips for locating a reputable and trustworthy home loan lender.

Home Loan Lender’s Reputation

When applying for a home loan, buyers have many different lenders at their disposal. They may choose to apply for a loan with their personal bank, credit union, or use a mortgage company. Regardless of method, the lender chosen must have a good reputation. According to Alabama’s Fair Housing Act, mortgage lenders cannot refuse a loan application because of a person’s race, nationality, gender, or religion. On the other hand, some agents will discourage the seller from accepting bids or offers from buyers who have been pre-approved by an unknown or shady lender. Before choosing a mortgage lender, do your research. Contact the Alabama Better Business Bureau and inquire about complaints. If possible, choose a lender by referral

Online Home Mortgage Brokers

Another effective method for choosing a good lender is to submit an application with a mortgage broker. In a nutshell, brokers are middlemen. They do not lend money. Rather, they match home buyers with lenders and home loan programs. Because brokers have access to a wide assortment of loan programs, this is perfect for first time homebuyers, bad credit applicants, etc. Do you need down payment or closing costs assistance? Did you experience a bankruptcy or foreclose? If so, a mortgage broker can help.

Compare Mortgage Rates from Different Lenders

Currently, Alabama home mortgage rates are slightly higher than the national average. With this said, it is important to obtain mortgage rates from more than one lender, and make a thorough comparison. Many homebuyers mistakenly apply with a single lender, and accept their quote without shopping around. In some instances, this results in paying more for a loan. Fraudulent mortgage lenders earn a huge profit by charging unreasonably high rates. To avoid dishonest practices, get quotes from at least three lenders.

Tamara

John H. Drake asked:




E-trade offers mortgage loans as an alternative to many private loans offered by banks. While E-trade is primarily a holding company to buy and sell different types of securities, it also provides mortgage lending to its customers. In 2003 E-trade introduced an innovative mortgage opportunity known as a portable fixed rate mortgage. This type of mortgage is geared for homeowners who plan on re-locating to another home in the future. While traditionally a new home loan is necessary if a new property is purchased, the E-trade portable mortgage allows you to change homes once with the fixed interest rate from the first property.

However there are disadvantages to this loan. Since you will receive a fixed interest rate, you will be required to pay the same interest regardless of the state of the property market. You will also most likely have a higher fixed interest rate than the one available at the same time to regular borrowers. While home prices are the lowest they have been in a while, it is possible that interest rates will decrease again in the near future.

E-trade loans offer the convenience of not re-submitting another home application if you decide to move but you must be careful to evaluate all costs before making a decision. There will most likely be strict monetary consequences if the terms of the loan are not upheld. It is recommended you consult an experienced lawyer to check whether this type of loan is the best option for you. You can then speak to an E-trade consultant who should explain all preliminary costs and clarify the fine print in the application.

Dawn