Real Estate & Mortgages Directory

What to look for

• 1.
  Rate comparison vs. direct origination — Mortgage marketplaces let you compare rate quotes from multiple lenders simultaneously without multiple hard inquiries. Direct lenders originate and service the loan themselves. Use a marketplace first to understand the rate environment before approaching lenders directly.
• 2.
  APR vs. interest rate — and origination points — The interest rate is the base cost of borrowing. The APR includes fees and points. A lender offering a 6.5% rate with 2 points paid upfront may actually be more expensive over 7 years than a 6.75% rate with no points, depending on how long you hold the loan. Always compare APR and ask specifically about origination fees.
• 3.
  Pre-approval timeline and lock-in process — In competitive markets, having a fully underwritten pre-approval (not just a pre-qualification letter) is a material advantage in offers. Ask how long the pre-approval takes and whether the lender can issue a rate lock at the pre-approval stage.
• 4.
  Property data quality for valuation research — Property search platforms vary in how current their listing data is and how accurately they model local tax and assessment histories. For serious research, cross-reference multiple sources — one platform's estimated value can differ significantly from another's.