Your expectations when working with mortgage lenders in Minnesota depend on the type of lender. A lender that works directly for a lending institution will provide all of the options that particular lender allows and that you qualify for. Other lenders actually work as brokers that shop your loan to a variety of lending institutions.

Mortgage brokers in Minnesota can provide access to more lenders but may not share your best interests. Brokers usually receive a commission from the lender and will tend to push mortgages that offer the greatest profit for them.

There are three points you should discuss with a mortgage lending company in Minnesota when considering which one to use:

1. Interest rate on Minnesota mortgage loans. Rates change quickly in the volatile housing market and your credit rating will also affect the rate you can expect from Minnesota mortgage companies.

2. Points on the loan. Prepaid mortgage interest points will lower your interest rate but other types of points may not benefit you at all.

3. Closing costs. Lenders charge fees for various services and you will want to know what they are as soon as possible.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get loan offers through Minnesota mortgage brokers

Talk with several of the broker's recent clients before getting a loan through that broker. Find out if the broker was able to meet all of their expectations.

I recommend: Tradition Mortgage is located in Edina and provides a complete range of mortgage broker services. PRC Funding is based in Bloomington and offers many different loan programs for customers in Minnesota.

Obtain a referral for mortgage lenders in Minnesota from a real estate agent

Real estate agents usually send a substantial amount of business to their preferred lenders. A smart mortgage lender will take good care of these referrals.

I recommend: Prodigy Real Estate is in Maplewood and has agents who are experienced in all phases of the real estate, mortgage and title processes. Midwest Realty in Mankato performs real estate services and also offers financing for home purchases.

Solicit quotes directly from mortgage companies in Minnesota

You may want to contact a lender directly if you are already comfortable with one. Local lenders should be familiar with specific factors that affect the housing market in your area.

I recommend: American Family Mortgage is in Minneapolis and has a short online application form along with information on current mortgage rates. Monster Mortgage in Oakdale offers both short and long application forms online.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Minnesota mortgage lenders may sell your loan to another company. Don't be surprised if you receive a notice from both the old and new lending company advising you of the change and providing instructions for making your payments to the new lending company. The right to service your loan also includes managing your escrows for insurance and property taxes.

Mortgage brokers in Minnesota can help you secure the best home loan possible from a variety of mortgage companies in Minnesota. In Minnesota, mortgage lenders are plentiful, but finding one that offers the best terms and options can be time-consuming. Minnesota mortgage brokers can help you save time in your search for financially attractive mortgage loans.

Mortgage brokers have the experience and connections to examine thousands of different mortgage lenders and deals. When hiring mortgage brokers in Minnesota, look for a professional who has a keen understanding of the residential market in your particular area. Whether you’re looking for an apartment in downtown St. Paul, a summer house on the lake outside Duluth or a ranch in Bloomington, mortgage brokers have the experience and connections to examine thousands of different mortgage lenders and deals.

To find the best mortgage lenders in Minnesota:

1. Make sure that you are working with reputable Minnesota mortgage lenders by checking records with government and better-business groups.
2. Start your search online and look at rates and terms on a variety of websites for lenders and mortgage brokers in Minnesota.
3. National loan originators and brokers may offer the best terms on Minnesota mortgage loans, so don't limit yourself to a mortgage lending company or broker based in Minnesota.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search local Minnesota mortgage brokers and lenders associations

Minnesota mortgage lenders associations and mortgage brokers associations can help you find professionals who understand the local housing market.

I recommend: At the Minnesota Mortgage Brokers Association, you can search alphabetically for member brokers at the professional, associate or individual level. The Minnesota Bankers Association offers a variety of helpful consumer tools and allows you to search for lenders in Minnesota in either Minneapolis or St. Paul or alphabetically by city.

Consider local and regional banks for Minnesota mortgage loans

Local and regional banks are some of the most common mortgage lenders in Minnesota.

I recommend: To find banks that are mortgage lenders in Minnesota, visit the Independent Community Bankers of Minnesota, Minnesota Bankers Association, LocalLender.info or USCITY.net.

Use online sources for Minnesota mortgage companies

Numerous online sources can help you shop for the best mortgage lenders in Minnesota.

I recommend: MortgageLoan.com lets you search their list of Minnesota mortgage brokers and lenders by city. Many Minnesota mortgage companies and brokers are listed online and easy to find through Mortgage-X.com or MortgageBrokersMinnesota.com.

Work with national mortgage lenders

Many national mortgage brokers and lenders offer Minnesota mortgage loans that may be right for you.

I recommend: Consider national lenders, such as GMAC Mortgage or Wachovia, or check out Equifax, which offers a nationwide mortgage referral service. Veterans may qualify for a loan through the VA Mortgage Center.com or USAA.com, where you can get pre-approved for Minnesota mortgage loans.

Check with legal authorities about mortgage companies in Minnesota

Make sure the Minnesota mortgage lenders or mortgage brokers you're considering are trustworthy and don't have a paper trail of complaints by borrowers or clients.

I recommend: Contact the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota to check up on mortgage lenders in Minnesota.

Find out what local experts are saying about mortgage companies in Minnesota

Local real estate experts, including your own real estate agent, can provide information on Minnesota mortgage brokers, lenders and other tips on the market for property hunters.

I recommend: The Minneapolis Real Estate Blog and the St. Paul Real Estate Blog help you keep up with the real estate markets in the Twin Cities. The Minnesota Real Estate Update covers the rest of the state.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A Minnesota mortgage company should be familiar with Minnesota fees and should have a network of local appraisers and title companies to make the process go more smoothly.
• •  If your bank offers you a mortgage loan, remember that it's negotiable. Shop around for rates from mortgage brokers and mortgage companies first.
• •  Rate quotes for Minnesota mortgage loans should all be from the same time period due to market fluctuations.
• •  Tied mortgage brokers don't charge an upfront fee, but work with a limited number of mortgage companies in Minnesota who pay them a commission should you choose their mortgage.
• •  Independent brokers charge may charge an upfront fee but cast a wider net, offering a variety of deals from a host of Minnesota mortgage companies.

Choosing a mortgage lender from the many banks, brokers and lenders is usually the most challenging step in making the most of mortgage lenders in Minnesota. Your best strategy should be to select a large number of Minnesota mortgage lenders and eliminate candidates as you make your criteria more selective.

A mortgage broker can help you save time in your search for mortgages in Minnesota but they are not able to negotiate terms you would not be able to get for yourself and they are not obligated to get the best deal for you.

There are three things you can do to locate the best mortgage lending company in Minnesota for your needs:

1. Ensure your mortgage broker has specific expertise in your local real estate market. Housing markets can vary greatly within a short distance.

2. Check records with better business groups and government sources to ensure that a company offering Minnesota mortgage loans is reputable.

3. Search online to find the terms for mortgage brokers in Minnesota. While the interest rate is important, there are other terms you should also consider. Use the same time period when comparing interest rates due to the volatility of the real estate market.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search for reputable Minnesota mortgage brokers

Minnesota mortgage brokers are closely regulated and there are a variety of online resources you can use to investigate a mortgage broker's credentials.

I recommend: The Minnesota Mortgage Association maintains an online list of affiliate, individual and professional members. The Minnesota Department of Commerce allows you to look up license holders including mortgage originators/servicers.

Find a directory of mortgage lenders in Minnesota

There are a variety of websites that allow you to select a list of mortgage lenders by state. These sites typically provide other criteria as well.

I recommend: MortgageFit lets you search for mortgage lenders in Minnesota by city, zip code and loan type. Mortgage Referral provides a list of mortgage lenders in Minnesota and provides a variety of other resources for home buyers.

Research mortgage companies in Minnesota

There are many research sites in Minnesota that provide information independent of any one mortgage lender. They may be able to offer specific advice on the housing market in your area and frequently have other resources to help you in your search for a mortgage loan.

I recommend: Mortgage Lending Directory provides a list of mortgage lenders by state in Minnesota and also allows you to navigate by loan program. LeadSteps Mortgage lists interest rates on major mortgage lenders in Minnesota based on loan type.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  An independent broker will charge you a fee upfront but will contact a larger number of Minnesota mortgage lenders. Tied mortgage brokers don't charge an upfront fee but only work with a limited number of lenders. These brokers usually get a commission from the lender upon approval of the loan.