All lenders are not created equal! What we will say, it is almost always BETTER to be dealing with a lender that you 1) have history (relationship) with and 2) can meet with face-to-face, in case there are any issues. That does not mean there are not exceptions to that; but, by far, our experience shows that Buyers who work with a lender they can meet with, call on a regular basis and make contact with, and one that has a relationship with the buyer and / or Agent is going to be more committed to getting your deal done! Yes, it might be quick and easy to get a “online pre-approval” but believe us when we say – the costs may be very different and certainly the level of service will vary.
These are a few of our trusted lenders, depending on your specific needs and your bank history – feel free to reach out to the lenders and don’t hesitate to let them know you are working with a Realtor that referred them – so that they can keep us updated and together we can all get the best loan for the best house that fits your needs.
In addition to encouraging you to use a LOCAL lender it is also advantageous to ensure you are using the RIGHT type of LOAN for you / the house / and other particular needs. There are a number of loan programs that might work for you and get you better rates / terms, etc. – from a first-time home buyer program, grant; to Ohio Heroes funds; down payment assistance programs; to the Disaster Relief Funds that are available NOW – 2021, you will want to connect with a lender who can handle the best loan for you. This breakdown of these programs is among one of the most comprehensive articles we’ve found: https://lendedu.com/blog/first-time-home-buyer-ohio/. BUT – remember to talk with your Realtor and Lender to confirm which is best for YOU.