Mortgage Lenders Near Me

Choosing the right mortgage lender is critical for a successful home purchase. A great resource is a real estate agent who knows their local mortgage lenders well.

Many banks, online lenders, and mortgage brokers are eager to process your mortgage loan. Lender fees are a significant expense that should be carefully studied. See our home page.

Hard Money Lenders

Hard money lenders are private investors or companies that lend their own funds, so they don’t have the same regulations as traditional mortgage lenders. This allows them to be more flexible with the terms of their loans and can be a good option for borrowers who have been denied by traditional lenders. However, the interest rates tend to be higher.

They are typically more interested in the property’s value than a borrower’s creditworthiness, so they will ask for an appraisal and renovation plans before funding. They may also require cash reserves and down payment. Some lenders require experience flipping properties, while others are happy to work with first-time flippers.

Groundfloor is a unique lender that uses crowdfunding to secure loans for residential investment properties in the US. They offer a variety of loan types and use accredited investors to fund the loan, allowing them to offer lower interest rates than many other hard money lenders.

Direct Lenders

Unlike mortgage brokers, who act as intermediaries and bring borrowers and lenders together, direct lenders are financial institutions that advance the loans themselves. Examples include banks such as Old National Bank or Flagstar Bank and private companies like Rocket Mortgage and Better Mortgage.

These companies typically offer a range of mortgage options, such as conventional loans and government-insured mortgages. They may also provide unsecured personal loans for bad credit to help people rebuild their financial situations.

Local mortgage lenders can be an attractive option for borrowers who want to avoid the additional fees associated with mortgage brokers. However, it is important to remember that they may have a more limited operation than large national chains or online mortgage lenders. For example, some lenders might only operate during business hours, and you may have to visit them in person if you need assistance. They may also charge higher interest rates and lender fees to cover their operating costs. 

Correspondent Lenders

Unlike mortgage brokers, correspondent lenders use their own money to originate and fund mortgages they close under their name. They do this through a warehouse line of credit that is only repaid after the loan has been sold on the secondary market.

Correspondent lenders often sell the loans they originate to major mortgage investors like government-sponsored entities like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac or private firms that buy them to package them into securities. The correspondent lender will often continue to service the loan, including collecting monthly mortgage payments and managing the escrow account for property taxes and homeowner’s insurance.

Mortgage bankers and mortgage broker firms both offer a variety of loan products that can meet different homebuyers’ financing needs. However, it’s important to understand the differences between these types of lenders so you can choose the right one for your individual situation.

Local Lenders

Many local mortgage lenders are banks and credit unions. These institutions can offer a variety of services but generally focus on home financing. They can either service their own mortgages or sell them on the secondary market to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These loans are known as portfolio mortgages and they give the lender more flexibility to set loan terms and rates.

Local lenders can also have a good reputation in the community for closing loans on time. This can be attractive to some home sellers and real estate agents who want to work with a lender that is respected in the neighborhood.

Before you select a lender, it is important to strengthen your financial profile by paying down debt and raising your credit score. Then you can choose the type of loan that works best for your situation. Once you’re pre-approved, you can compare mortgage offers from multiple lenders. Read on to find out!