One of the first steps to take when purchasing a home is to find a mortgage lender. A mortgage lender is a financial institution that offers loans for buying a home. A mortgage lender can be a bank, credit union, or mortgage bank.

Remember that mortgage lenders are different from mortgage brokers. A mortgage broker acts as a middleman, comparing loan options on your behalf.

According to Experian, mortgage brokers offer clients various loan options from financial institutions and mortgage banks. Depending on the lending rates and terms, they work to see what mortgages are best for your financial situation. Decide whether a mortgage lender or broker is best for you.

Before searching for a mortgage lender, check your financial situation and ensure your credit score is in good shape. NerdWallet states that most mortgage loan types require a credit score of at least 620. NerdWallet is a BBB Accredited Business as of this writing in April 2024.

You will also want to determine your budget for a new home. Look at your finances and see how much you can afford. Remember to budget for a down payment and the monthly payments for the length of your mortgage.

To create a budget, read BBB’s tips for creating a budget and sticking to it.

When searching for a mortgage lender near you, consider meeting with multiple lenders so you can compare their mortgage rates and loan terms. Compare each lender’s loan amount, length, and current mortgage interest rate. You can also look at other details like mortgage insurance, closing costs, and other fees.

Your mortgage lender will also tell you what types of mortgages are available. When it comes to the interest rate on your loan, you’ll have to decide between a fixed rate and an adjustable rate. Fixed-rate mortgages are exactly that—they have an interest rate that’s fixed (set in stone) for the entire length of the loan. Adjustable-rate mortgages start with an initial interest rate for a specified period and then adjust for the rest of your loan’s term.

Once you’ve narrowed down a few mortgage lenders to consider, get pre-approved with one or more of them. It's a good idea to get pre-approved before you start shopping for homes. Your pre-approval will tell you exactly what loan amount you can receive, giving you a more definite budget.

Pre-approval also makes you a more competitive buyer. When you make an offer on a home, your pre-approval will tell the seller that you’re a serious buyer. They will see that you’ve already had your finances evaluated by one or more lenders.

Watch out for predatory mortgage lending. Some mortgage lenders or brokers may target specific neighborhoods and communities to encourage people to take out loans. Read BBB’s tips on how to spot predatory lending.

When looking for a mortgage lender, make sure to look for the BBB Seal – it’s The Sign of a Better Business^SM! BBB Accredited Businesses have been vetted against BBB’s Standards for Trust and uphold ethical business standards.

For more information, read BBB’s tips on choosing a mortgage lender you can trust. For more tips about your home, visit BBB’s Home HQ. For tips on managing your finances, budgeting, and credit repair, visit BBB’s Financial Wellness HQ.