Sunday, December 21, 2008

How to Get a Good Mortgage Deal

By Mortgage Wizard

There are various sections on a Good Faith Estimate that you need to compare in order to find out where to get the best deal.

Lender Fees: The top of the good faith estimate will show what the lender fees are: This is where points, processing, underwriting, the appraisal, admin fees, and any other lender fees will show up. This is a good start to compare lenders. You should compare lender fees for quotes of the same rate to get an accurate proposal.

Title and escrow Charges: Title and escrow fees are not determined by a lender. Lenders usually have preferred vendors they use for their service but they are not financial compensated by these companies. You may have heard that these fees are the same no matter who you use. This isn't always the case. The reality is some lenders do a better job of aligning themselves with partners that are cheaper.

Different title and escrow companies have different rates. The difference in savings can come down to who your lender has chosen to work with. Some companies have negotiated rates that include the signing service as part of the fees which saves you up to $200 which is a typical fee for a notary.

When the third party fees are all coming from the same company lenders are able to negotiate better deals for their clients. When title, escrow, and notary are all coming from the same place the company is able to get a little more aggressive with each piece.

The total fees on your transaction should be your main concern. A lender that has gone the extra mile to deliver third party fees that are cheaper has you in mind.

Estimate Date: Check the date on the estimates you are receiving. The mortgage market is constantly changing with rates going up and down. If you compare one estimate from one company and another estimate from the second company and they are done on different days you cannot get an accurate gauge of who is more competitive.

Trust: The good faith estimate is just the beginning of your transaction. You feel comfortable in the way the company has presented themselves and with that they will deliver. Do they have any complaints against them? Your financing can be a very painless and transparent process as long as you work with the right company.

With the right information and expectation getting a mortgage can be a breeze. - 16463

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