In mortgages, the gap between what you know and what the lender knows is particularly wide.  Most borrowers are in the market only a few times in their life. They have limited time to learn the basics, not to mention the many details, of such a complicated transaction. In contrast, the professionals on the other side of the table know the details because they deal with them every day.  This site attempts to narrow that gap, but because each loan transaction is unique it is impossible to make it disappear completely. 

A good education, a healthy amount of skepticism, and

forceful probing are the best ways to ensure that your loan officer gives you the best loan for the best price.  Don’t worry about offending anyone; any loan officer worth his or her commission won't object to your trying to educate yourself.  On the other hand, treat your loan officer as the professional that he or she is.  Ask questions about the things you are uncertain of until you are satisfied, but remember to do so respectfully.

Because of the knowledge gap, trust is important. Without it, you may bounce from one lender to another, wasting everyone's time.  Or you may stick with one but drive him or her crazy with demands and suspicions that make the process unpleasant for everyone.  Your loan officer is a professional, has trained and studied the industry and knows the products. Once you have established trust, let him or her be your guide through the process.

So Where Do You Find The One You Want To Use?