Choosing a mortgage lender (Atlanta, Roswell: mortgage broker, refinancing, credit)

[baursak]

Hello,

I'm a first-time home buyer and need some advice on choosing a lender. I know bankrate.com lists some options, but I'm not sure if going with a cheapest rate from an online-only lender I've never heard of is the best approach. I will save a few dollars a month in payments, but not sure if potential headache might be worth it.

Next with slightly higher rates are mega-banks like Citi, HSBC, etc. That sounds better, but then I've never dealt with them, so can't say either way.

And then there's an option to go with local small banks, but at a significantly higher rate probably.

What would you advise? Can you recommend a good mortgage lender for someone looking to buy in Atlanta?

Thanks!

[ecuresident]

We went through a smaller bank and their rates were very competitive to the larger banks. In the end our loan got sold to a larger bank about 2 years in, but the terms or rates did not change. Here is who we went through:

Heritage Bank
Mark Milam • Atlanta Production Manager
3333 Peachtree Rd, Ste M-10, Atlanta, GA 30326
Cell: 404.395.1102 • Phone: 404.266.5110 • Fax: 404.506.9484

[LovelySummer]

Skip the banks altogether and go with a credit union. Better rates, programs, etc.
Delta Community Credit Union allows anyone to join and usually has amazing rates when you compare apples to apples.

[PeteATL41]

Go with a local bank and loan officer that actually care about their reputation in the community.

[red92s]

If you want to close on time, skip the big banks. They are always finding new ways to drop the ball.

[cqholt]

Go with a credit union.

[roxyrn]

I got my mortgage five years ago from a big bank (Wells-Fargo) and just finished refinancing with an online mortgage (Loan Depot) which saved a lot in monthly payment as well as closing costs. When I told WF the rate I was getting, they said they couldn't come close and good-bye.

Although based in California, my Loan Depot contact actually lived a few miles away from me in Roswell. It was very simple and they sent an attorney to our home for the closing. Was completed quickly with no-hassles.

[George Chong]

I always recommend a mortgage broker as it is their job to shop your loan for the best possible rate. I would check with a mortgage broker and a credit union to compare rates.

[JPD]

Whatever you do, don't use Chase. They are incompetent.

[Atlwarrior]

If anyone is a Veteran.

Veteran United is a great Mortgage company. No problems with closing and actually receive money back. Great communication and I was very please.They did everything and no PMI and 100% Veteran financing is awesome!