Finding the best mortgage lender for your needs can be time-consuming. With so many lenders in the industry, it might even be overwhelming when you first start looking for one. But you can make the process much simpler if you get organized and decide exactly what to look for in a mortgage lender. Here are some steps you can follow to make the process of finding a lender less stressful and more productive.

Ask Your Friends and Relatives
One of the best ways to find a great mortgage lender is to ask friends and relatives which company they've used in the past. If some of them bought a home recently, that's even better. If they know you are asking because you're looking for a mortgage lender for your needs, they’ll be honest with you and tell you how their experiences went.

Go Online
You can search and research literally hundreds of mortgage lenders online. Start by going to their websites and seeing the types of deals they offer. You can then search for any complaints that previous customers have filed against them on the Better Business Bureau's website (www.bbb.org). If there is are very many complaints about a certain company, take that lender off your list and focus on other companies.

Avoid Predatory Lenders
While the overwhelming majority of mortgage lenders conduct their business with honesty and integrity, there are a few that act less ethically than others. Some of them will try to convince you to borrow more than you can actually afford. Some might be less than honest about the conditions of the mortgage. If your instincts are telling you that something is wrong with a lender, there's nothing wrong with finding a different company.

Find a Responsive Lender
A good lender will return your phone calls in a timely manner and answer any questions you have along the way. Others will make you feel like a bother by being short and taking days to return your calls. That's if they return your calls at all! A lender that is responsive and addresses your concerns will make you feel less stressed throughout the entire buying process. As Bob Walters says in this video, it is important for the lender to ask you a lot of questions.

Find a Lender with Competitive Rates
Some mortgage lenders aren't able to offer buyers competitive rates like other lenders. For you, this could be the difference of thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage. Try to find a reputable mortgage company that will be competitive with other companies in the industry.

Finding a mortgage lender doesn't have to be difficult. If you take some extra time and do some research about the different ones in your area, you'll undoubtedly find one that meets your financial needs. Using these suggestions is a great way to narrow your list of lenders down, but your gut feeling should play a role in the decision as well.