Lending Tree: anybody used them? Is there something comparable but better?

[AnyMal]

So we finally decided it's time to stop renting and buy a house of our own. We're both quite busy (I work full-time and in school part-time, my wife has two part-time jobs) so there's not much time to get out and shop for a mortgage.

I was thinking of applying with someone like Lending Tree, something I can do with my computer and on the go. Has anyone used this service or similar? Any tips/recommendations?

 

[Pantoot]

Have a costco membership? If you are set on trying lendingtree, may as well get something out of it.

Costco Lending Tree Link

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: Pantoot
Have a costco membership? If you are set on trying lendingtree, may as well get something out of it.

Costco Lending Tree Link

Not yet. Costco suppose to open a store here (Louisville, KY) sometimes next spring

 

[RbSX]

Lending tree and places like that will shaft you on interest rates..

 

[jagec]

I'd go to a real bank and get a much better interest rate if I were you.

 

[dullard]

I just tried it last week. I was given a bunch of crap offers. Then you get non-stop phone calls at home and work, and non-stop emails. It may give you good rates and low closing costs, but for me the offers were not competitive.

I found that ING Direct was the cheapest with their special going on right now. But I ended up using a local guy for ~$100 more just to keep things all local - where I can just walk in and talk to someone.

My best advice is to know what you want BEFORE talking to anyone or applying for anything. That'll narrow down the bewildering amount of choices and make your life a lot easier. Then find a good rate (such as ING Direct) and call some people. Let them know the deal you have and ask if they will beat it. There is often a LOT of room for negotiations with some places. If you are making $1500 for a couple days of paperwork, you too would be willing to drop it down to $1000 just to close the deal.

And also, find or create a good calculator. That way you can really compare the options.