https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 14 May 2026 11:01:48 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2588297 Tue, 19 Jul 2016 10:05:14 +0000 Mommy Finger 2588297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My friend started his own mortgage company so I've been using him for the past 10 years whenever I've needed to buy or refinance. I trust him so I feel better working with him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2588279 Tue, 19 Jul 2016 09:48:22 +0000 snowjewelz 2588279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We were just talking about this over the weekend with friends that are trying to get a mortgage. Was told don't go with Chase b/c they take forever (not sure if it's a regional thing). I think they are going with TD Bank? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2588021 Mon, 18 Jul 2016 19:08:09 +0000 Pancakes 2588021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: We just bought our first house and used an online lender. I actually got some quotes through Zillow and then followed up over the phone to get the best deal. We used a VA loan though, so I'm not sure if that made a difference. We also talked to a local lender recommended by our realtor, but she couldn't come close to matching what the online lender (HomePoint Financial) offered. DH was initially skeptical of going with an online lender but they were great to work with and we closed with no issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587810 Mon, 18 Jul 2016 12:43:37 +0000 yoursilverlining 2587810@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: We had issues with Citi as well for our first mortgage. Like, they debited our checking account for the mortgage 2-3 times a month for several months! If I want to pay ahead I'll do it of my own account, thankyouverymuch :silly: Their call center people could never tell us why that happened, and would only sometimes be able to reverse the overpayment(s). Very poor service, very sketchy.</p> <p>For our 15-year refi, we worked with a broker. Easy, excellent experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587789 Mon, 18 Jul 2016 12:20:24 +0000 PurplePumps 2587789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For my loan and both refi, I used referral from friends that happen to be mortgage brokers. No fee and lowest rates. Banks were a waste of time. For the same rate, they tried to charge me points and fees of 12k vs *nothing* for the broker. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587754 Mon, 18 Jul 2016 11:39:05 +0000 milano14 2587754@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We used a local bank that does all of their underwriting and lending in house.<br /> We were able to get a great interest rate and the process was pretty straight forward and easy.<br /> Originally we started out with a mortgage broker, but ended up going local. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587715 Mon, 18 Jul 2016 10:47:37 +0000 808love 2587715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: Just traced our online mortgage. DH primarily handled the Loandepot one online. It took a exactly one month start to finish for the refi and we even made a mistake. DH missed 6 emails because it went to spam. They figured it out though. I was happy we went to a small time, in person loan officer the first time because we had a lot of questions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587713 Mon, 18 Jul 2016 10:44:20 +0000 Mama Bird 2587713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used a credit union, and am actually still paying that mortgage to them. No problems, their interest rate is pretty average, and I'm happy overall. I also like that they aren't one of the big banks that contributed to the subprime mortgage mess.</p> <p>DH used Chase. It was OK, but he did have to chase them around for paperwork when closing out the mortgage (no pun intended :silly: ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587711 Mon, 18 Jul 2016 10:37:20 +0000 PeaceLily 2587711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We used Chase for our mortgage and they were pretty awful. I wouldn't recommend them.</p> <p>They weren't on top of anything throughout the entire process. On the way to our closing they actually told us that we owed an extra $6k more than what we were prepared to pay, this was literally a few hours before our closing at our lawyer's office. They also messed up on our property taxes so our first mortgage payment was a lot higher than we were expecting. We were able to get this straightened out, but it was still annoying that they messed up in the first place. I would never use them again for a mortgage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587625 Mon, 18 Jul 2016 07:50:14 +0000 littlebug 2587625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For our first home, we went through a national bank and it was awful. For our 2nd home, we went through a local small bank and it was wonderful. Our mortgage guy still checks in with us every 6 months or so, just to say hi. His photo is on a billboard with the slogan from bank "We make home buying possible and Chris makes it easy." Every time we drive by it we're like, "Yup, he really did!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587593 Mon, 18 Jul 2016 01:23:10 +0000 simplyfelicity 2587593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: That's good to hear! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587592 Mon, 18 Jul 2016 01:22:07 +0000 808love 2587592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: We refi to a 20 year -Wells Fargo. No issues. Our 15 yr refi was super low. I only have an email from a local referral we were looking at but I don't think we went with them. I don't know the site but it had a generic name like Loandepot or something like that. I think they sold our loan to US Bank, then PNC.<br /> Rates are great right now. I put little down and was able to get a lot of equity/loan to value quick with low rates and rising values. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587590 Mon, 18 Jul 2016 00:25:18 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2587590@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our previous mortgage was through Citi. Freaking nightmare. You couldn't pay me a bazillion million dollars to use them for anything ever again. My huband bought that house 10 years ago when he was rather naive. We are glad to be free of that mortgage and of Citi!</p> <p>We just bought a new house and used a broker. We had an amazing experience. Our broker is a family friend and he is eating as big of a portion of the closing costs as he can (basically donating his commission from brokering the loan) to help us out. We got a phenomenal interest rate and our broker has been so helpful and informative and supportive throughout the process. Highly recommend! We did a conventional loan with 10% down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587577 Sun, 17 Jul 2016 21:46:04 +0000 Smurfette 2587577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: @Truth Bombs: it might not be an issue. My cousin just graduated in May, starts her teaching job in August and is closing on a house next week. She hasn't even got a pay check and gualified by herself. Crazy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587571 Sun, 17 Jul 2016 21:37:25 +0000 Truth Bombs 2587571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: I believe even if there is no lapse in employment you have to provide 2-3 months of pay stubs from your current employer. But different lenders will have different requirements. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587563 Sun, 17 Jul 2016 20:56:58 +0000 simplyfelicity 2587563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: Thanks for the info! Would it be a problem if he didn't have any lapse in employment? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587546 Sun, 17 Jul 2016 20:15:13 +0000 Truth Bombs 2587546@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: if I remember correctly your hubs is a teacher? If so, and he's not earning a pay check yet, I would hold off a bit. You need to show a consistent stream of income from a current job so right now y'all don't have that. Especially given that you are first time home buyers I wouldn't recommend an online lender like Lending Tree or Quicken Loans. I tried to get some re-fi quotes and ended up just getting non stop really aggressive phone calls from banks that the online lender sent my information to and it was really infuriating. We ended up doing a refi through a local bank and we got a very good rate by qualifying for some incentives based on our income/asset levels, but we are a week away from closing and now all of a sudden they are claiming that we have to open a checking account with them and pay the mortgage from there in order to get the discounted rate and it's been a headache. But, worth it for the fact that our mortgage is going down $250/month. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587529 Sun, 17 Jul 2016 19:45:57 +0000 808love 2587529@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@simplyfelicity: I can't remember! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587464 Sun, 17 Jul 2016 15:28:03 +0000 simplyfelicity 2587464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjyw: we are. :happy: This is our first home, so 20% is not going to happen. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587458 Sun, 17 Jul 2016 14:57:45 +0000 FaithFertility 2587458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a broker that looked for the best rates and shebwas a friend of the family so no fee! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587455 Sun, 17 Jul 2016 14:49:26 +0000 mrsjyw 2587455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Dh is in banking so we did both our mortgage and refi through his banks (at the time) and received employee discounts. I would keep in mind the cost of PMI if you are planning on putting 5% down! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587451 Sun, 17 Jul 2016 14:30:52 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2587451@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We used a mortgage broker. He was able to get us a quarter point less than our bank with better terms. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587447 Sun, 17 Jul 2016 14:12:28 +0000 avivoca 2587447@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We used US Bank, which has been our bank for the last 12 years. It was pretty painless. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587444 Sun, 17 Jul 2016 14:10:43 +0000 simplyfelicity 2587444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: which online lender? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587443 Sun, 17 Jul 2016 14:05:50 +0000 808love 2587443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our first loan was through a referral by our trusted realtor friend. The officer worked through a medium sized bank branch. We had set up an FHA loan. A few years later, our refi was online (non-FHA) and it went smoothly. GReat rates. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587440 Sun, 17 Jul 2016 13:53:46 +0000 youboots 2587440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We love Umpqua Bank in Oregon. They don't sell the loans. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587435 Sun, 17 Jul 2016 13:13:19 +0000 sunny 2587435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have used Bank of America (retail), Provident Funding (via broker) and Wells Fargo private mortgage banking (not sure exactly what this was, but it was not retail). </p> <p>BoA was extremely easy and they waived a chunk of the origination fee which made a big difference in fees. </p> <p>Provident Funding dragged out my refi for 3 months. I started in July and didn't close until September. They were the biggest PITA imaginable. Working with a broker was awful too--there was no management chain to escalate to. </p> <p>WF PMB was good. They do their underwriting in house and it was very easy, but this was prior to the new rules so I don't know if they would still be easy. </p> <p>My CU was just not competitive on rates. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587434 Sun, 17 Jul 2016 12:53:50 +0000 MOMTOLITTLEB 2587434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We used a credit union and would do it again. Our realtor strongly encouraged us to go with his in house lender but we had no issues and we liked our mortgage guy more than anyone we worked with in the process. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587433 Sun, 17 Jul 2016 12:49:47 +0000 sunshineandsushi 2587433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would highly recommend smaller institutions that do their own underwriting in-house. It makes a world of difference for how smoothly your house buying process will go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-kind-of-financial-institution-did-you-get-your-mortgage-through-would-you-recommend-it#post-2587430 Sun, 17 Jul 2016 12:44:27 +0000 jhd 2587430@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We asked our realtor for advice because we really liked and trusted her. She gave us a few suggestions and we ended up going with a local credit union. They gave us a great interest rate and a few other incentives and the staff was really helpful in answering our questions when DH called for information. </p>