I wish there was a foolproof way to spot the good ones ahead of time... reviews only go so far when everyone’s experience is all over the map.
Totally get this. What’s worked for me is making a checklist—like, who actually calls back quickly, who explains things without jargon, and who’s upfront about fees. I’ve found that if they dodge your questions early on, it’s usually a sign of headaches later. I don’t mind saving money, but not if it means losing sleep over last-minute surprises. Sometimes paying a little extra for peace of mind is worth it.
if they dodge your questions early on, it’s usually a sign of headaches later.
I’ve run into that too—one lender kept skirting around my questions about closing costs, and sure enough, hidden fees popped up right before signing. Ever notice how some seem super friendly until you start digging into the details? Makes me wonder if there’s really any way to know for sure who’s solid, or is it just luck and gut feeling half the time...
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I don’t think it’s all just luck or gut feeling. I’ve had a couple lenders who were upfront from the start—almost to the point of oversharing—and those ended up being the smoothest deals. Maybe it’s about asking the right questions and seeing how they react? If they get weird about details, that’s usually my cue to run for the hills. But yeah, sometimes you just get a good one by accident... like finding twenty bucks in your winter coat.
I get what you mean about the “oversharing” types—sometimes that’s actually a relief, right? But I’ve also had lenders who were super transparent at first, then got cagey once we hit the nitty-gritty. Ever notice how some folks are great with the basics but dodge the fine print? I almost wonder if it’s less about luck and more about persistence—like, how many rocks are you willing to turn over before you find the right fit? I’ve had to walk away mid-process more than once because things just didn’t add up. Maybe it’s a mix of gut, patience, and a bit of stubbornness...
Totally relate to that—sometimes I feel like I’m interrogating people just to get a straight answer. I’ve bailed on two lenders because the “fine print” suddenly became this moving target. Honestly, I’d rather miss out on a deal than get blindsided by hidden fees or weird clauses. At this point, if someone can’t be upfront when it matters, I’m out. It’s exhausting, but I’d take stubborn over sorry any day.
