Getting the right mortgage requires research. There are numerous lenders nationwide, but future homeowners and people seeking financial advice must get the best lender for their specific situations. Anyone wondering where to find a mortgage lender in Oklahoma or elsewhere should learn how to navigate the market before comparing their options.Â
Get an Updated Credit Score
Credit scores determine how much lenders can give to individuals. The number indicates how reliably someone pays their bills over time, giving mortgage companies more peace of mind when providing loans. Some prefer higher credit scores than others.
People with low scores are not out of options. Some mortgage providers specialize in arranging loans for people with credit score challenges. The search for a great mortgage must start with getting an updated credit report so future homeowners have the necessary information to start productive conversations with potential lenders.
Create a Budget
Lenders split mortgages into monthly payments over standard 15- to 30-year periods. If a loan is divided into a $2,000 payment and someone can only afford to pay $800, they will need to readjust their aspirations. Every potential homeowner should analyze their finances to create the best budget for their mortgage considerations and monthly obligations.
Choose a Mortgage Type
Numerous types of mortgages are available for various reasons. Lenders can provide government-backed loans given by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Veterans Affairs (VA) offices. Conventional and jumbo loans are also available. Each has different qualification standards, which will affect potential homebuyers differently.
Other mortgage types depend on what a person is buying. There may be different financial arrangements for primary houses, vacation homes, rentals and other properties. Anyone interested in getting a mortgage should know what they intend to buy to better guide their conversation with a mortgage lender.
List Potential Questions
People have better experiences talking with home loan providers if they arrive with prepared questions. They should ask about bill pay options, current interest rates, associated fees and potential discounts. Every lender has different fine details about their loan options, so asking questions is a welcome practice.
Anyone with a specific loan type in mind can ask about more detailed topics. They might inquire about how long it takes to close the loan and how long the approval process takes. People should also ask what comes with their mortgage payment, like homeowners insurance or property taxes.
Compare Lenders
When someone knows the type of loan they need, their credit score, budget and their biggest property buying questions, they can start comparing lenders. Whether they are looking for a mortgage lender in Oklahoma or other states, numerous options are available. Banks, credit unions, mortgage brokers and other financial institutions provide various benefits, depending on how each business arranges loans.
Future homeowners should also look up lenders according to their customer service reputations. It may take 15 to 30 years to pay off a mortgage, so the provider should offer stellar customer service to make that experience more manageable if issues arise.
Check the Preferred Timeline
The mortgage market is typically active with people who have a property in mind. They need to know the price to get a loan quote. The process moves quickly, so anyone who needs a mortgage should understand what timeline they are working with. They must know the property they want and what they have saved for a down payment to secure it before another buyer does. This information is easier to get by asking each lender for their approval timeline.
National interest rates can also affect how quickly someone gets a mortgage. Loan costs and monthly payments will increase if they are higher. People on a budget may need to wait for federal rate cuts to restart the process.
Calculate Monthly Payments
Lenders providing mortgage quotes give interested buyers as much information as possible. Their paperwork should include the future monthly payments related to the specific loan based on a person’s credit score and current interest rates.
Future monthly payments will also affect the buyer’s ongoing budget. Related paperwork should include information about homeowners insurance coverage and property tax considerations. No one should enter a mortgage without knowing exactly what they will pay when signing on the dotted line.
Remember Mortgage Insurance Fees
Mortgage insurance is how lenders protect themselves against borrowers. People pay it as an additional fee if they make a small down payment. While that percentage changes with each loan type, interested homeowners may have to pay mortgage insurance with a down payment of less than 20%. The additional fee is another detail to consider while calculating a homebuying budget.
Explore Leading U.S. Mortgage Lenders
When future homeowners are ready to move forward with the mortgage process, they should take time comparing lenders. Each company will have different methods and loan types, so exploring every possibility is the best way to secure an affordable, comprehensive loan.
1. Assurance Financial: Best Mortgage Lender in Oklahoma
Assurance Financial is an excellent mortgage lender for people seeking financial advice. Company representatives help people get prequalified for loans with their quick application process and free rate quotes. Questions are welcome, and experts are available to address people’s concerns about their next steps.
The Assurance Financial website also has a mortgage calculator, so anyone interested in getting a loan can estimate their monthly payment based on the purchase price of their desired property. People wondering where to find a mortgage lender in Oklahoma do not have to look far when they can submit a contact form with Assurance Financial.
| Assurance Financial | ||
| Lending Process Steps | Loan Types Available | How to Contact |
| Submit required documentation, a credit score
Wait while Assurance Financial experts do processing, appraisal and underwriting Receive conditional approval Get cleared to close |
Conventional
First-time Jumbo USDA FHA VA |
Apply online
Call or submit a contact request form with any questions |
2. Bison State Bank: Best in Kansas
Kansas residents contact Bison State Bank for home loans when they are ready to take the next step in their lives. Representatives connect people with the most competitive loan options by providing a local perspective on national rates. The experienced loan officers also answer questions anytime, so curious borrowers can visit a branch or call to discuss what they should do next to get the right loan for their needs.
| Bison State Bank | ||
| Lending Process Steps | Loan Types Available | How to Contact |
| Collect financial documents like proof of income and assets
Get an updated credit score Provide proof of identification Contact a Bison State Bank representative for next steps |
FHA
VA USDA Conventional Adjustable-rate |
Visit a local branch, call or submit a form online |
3. Guild Mortgage: Best in Maine
Guild Mortgage is an excellent place to find home loans in Maine. Every potential borrower gets a custom quote from experienced team members and a no-rush process that leaves room for asking questions. Guild Mortgage also has an online platform where people can manage their loans, request a payoff or contact the servicing team for assistance. Maine residents have relied on Guild Mortgage for over 60 years, so the company is an excellent resource while exploring options.Â
| Guild Mortgage | ||
| Lending Process Steps | Loan Types Available | How to Contact |
| Get prequalified
Submit a home loan application Lock in the rate Review the appraisal and inspection reports Wait through processing and underwriting Close on the home |
Conventional
USDA VA FHA |
Call, email or visit a Guild Mortgage branch |
4. Palmetto State Home Mortgage: Best in South Carolina
South Carolina is home to Palmetto State Home Mortgage, a veteran-owned mortgage broker that specializes in multiple kinds of loans. Team members assist people with credit scores as low as 560 points. Palmetto State Home Mortgage also offers competitive closing cost rates and no minimum requirements. Borrowers do not have to pay anything toward closing costs, making the company an affordable resource for homebuying in South Carolina.
| Palmetto State Home Mortgage | ||
| Lending Process Steps | Loan Types Available | How to Contact |
| Fill out a loan inquiry form online to start the process | FHA
VA USDA Conventional |
Call, email or visit the Palmetto State Home Mortgage office |
5. Watermark Home Loans: Best in Arizona
The team behind Watermark Home Loans combines the latest digital tools and industry-leading rates to give potential borrowers the most accurate mortgage data possible. In-house experts connect clients with the Watermark Loan Hub for 24/7 access to loan information. People can check it throughout the homebuying process and long after their closing appointment. The extra data helps homebuyers arrange smarter financing that inspires confidence when signing for their new houses.
| Watermark Home Loans | ||
| Lending Process Steps | Loan Types Available | How to Contact |
| Call to discuss potential loan programs and next steps | Jumbo
Non-QM Conventional VA USDA FHA |
Call, email or submit a form online |
Criteria to Determine the Best Mortgage Lenders
Looking at mortgage lender websites for the first time can feel overwhelming. Simplify the process by checking for leading criteria that indicate experts with reliable services, such as:
- A clear set of steps to start the mortgage inquiry process and potentially get a loan.
- Multiple loan types to consider for various interest rate and down payment needs.
- Clear contact information, so getting in touch with the lending team does not require a complicated process.
Mortgage providers understand that getting a home loan is a multistep process. Straightforward information and contact details are essential in determining which mortgage lender is the best to help people secure their new houses.Â
Make Homebuying Easier
Anyone wondering where to find a mortgage lender in Oklahoma or other states should understand how to navigate the market before comparing providers. Once future homeowners get their credit scores, understand their budgets and know how to evaluate the best options in their regions, they will have a much easier time getting an affordable loan.
This post may contain affiliate links.
More Recommended Ebike/Scooters
Check out these other ebikes and scooters I've reviewed:
- Urban Arrow Ebike – Last year, I made one of the largest purchases I’ve ever made – I bought a $9,000 electric cargo bike from Urban Arrow. In my Urban Arrow review, I will discuss what it is and why I decided to buy this bike, as well as discuss how impactful a bike like this can be on your journey to financial independence.
- Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Ebike – The Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is a fat-tire ebike that I’ve had the pleasure of riding for a while now. It has amazing power, great looks, and awesome range. If you’re looking for a great fat-tire ebike that offers a lot for the price, the Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is definitely one for you to consider. Check out my Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Review.
- Hovsco HovBeta Ebike – The HovBeta is a folding ebike with great specs and a lot of interesting features, and importantly, it’s sold at a good price point. I’ve had a blast commuting with it and using it to do deliveries with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. Check out my Hovsco HovBeta Ebike Review.
- Vanpowers Manidae Ebike – The Vanpowers Manidae is a fat tire ebike that I’ve been riding as my primary winter commuting bike and have also been using it to do food delivery with apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. After clocking in a decent number of miles with this ebike, I wanted to write a post sharing what my experience with the Vanpowers Manidae ebike has been like. Check out my Vanpowers Manidae Review.
- Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding EBike Review – A Great Value Folding Ebike – The Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding Ebike is an entry-level folding ebike that offers a lot of value for the price point. I’ve been riding the Sohamo S3 for a while now, putting the bike through its paces, and I have to say, this bike has exceeded all of my expectations. Check out my Sohamo Review.
- KBO Flip Ebike – The KBO Flip is an excellent bike. I’ve had a great time riding it and think it’s a versatile bike that can be used for a lot of purposes and can fit a variety of lifestyles. It’s worked out great for me as a general commuter bike and as a food delivery bike. Check out my KBO Flip Review.
- Hiboy P7 Commuter Ebike – The Hiboy P7 is an excellent electric commuter bike that’s offered at an affordable price point. The range and speed of this bike are both very good, so you won’t have any trouble getting anywhere you need to go with it. As a food delivery vehicle, this is also good – with how much range it offers, you’ll be able to work all day on a single charge. Check out my Hiboy P7 Commuter Electric Bike Review.
- Himiway Escape Ebike – The Himiway Escape is an interesting bike for anyone looking for a moped-style ebike. If you’re a gig economy worker, the Himiway Escape is particularly interesting and it’s possible to think of it as an investment, especially if you can opt to do deliveries with the Himiway versus using a car. It’s not cheap, but you can definitely make your money back when you compare the mileage you’ll put on your car versus using an ebike. Check out my Himiway Escape Bike Review.
- Espin Sport Ebike – The Espin Sport is a good ebike for someone who is looking for an ebike that feels and rides more like a regular bike. There are many ebikes that are really only bikes in name. In reality, they’re basically electric mopeds. The Espin Sport, by contrast, is a bike you could probably ride without the battery and you’d feel like you’re just riding a regular bike. Check out my Espin Sport Review.
- Varla Eagle One Scooter – The Varla Eagle One is an excellent scooter that can make sense for a lot of people. It can work as a primary mode of transportation. You can use it to work on gig economy apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. And it can also be a recreational vehicle if you’d prefer to use it for that. Check out my Varla Eagle One Review.
- Varla Falcon Scooter – The Varla Falcon is an excellent scooter that offers a good amount of power at a lower price point compared to more powerful scooters. It’s not exactly an entry-level scooter, nor is it a high-powered scooter. I think it fits somewhere in-between those two categories – an intermediate scooter if I had to give it a category. Check out my Varla Falcon Review.
- Hiboy S2 Scooter – The Hiboy S2 is an excellent entry-level commuter scooter that's perfect for someone looking to save some money in transportation costs and improve their commute. Check out my Hiboy S2 Review.
- Hiboy S2R Scooter – The Hiboy S2R is one of the more interesting electric scooters I’ve been able to test out. It’s not a high-powered scooter, but for an everyday transport option, it’s very useful, especially given some of the unique features that it has. Indeed, for the price, the Hiboy S2R might be the best value scooter I’ve used. Check out my Hiboy S2R Review.
- Fucare H3 Scooter – The Fucare H3 is a fun scooter and I’ve enjoyed testing it out. For a daily commuter or quick trips or errands, the Fucare H3 is probably the scooter I’ll use. It’s portable and easy to maneuver, so it’s just easier to take on the road when I need it. Check out my Fucare H3 Scooter Review.
More Recommended Investing App Bonuses
For additional investing app bonuses, be sure to check out the ones below:
- M1 Finance ($75) – This is a great robo-advisor that has no fees and allows you to create a customized portfolio based on your risk tolerance. You also get $75 for opening an account. Check out my M1 Finance Referral Bonus – Step-By-Step Guide.
- SoFi Invest ($25) – SoFi Invest is an easy brokerage account bonus that you can earn with just a few minutes of work. Use my SoFi Invest referral link, fund your SoFi Invest brokerage account with just $10 and you’ll get $25 of free stock. I also have a step-by-step guide for the SoFi Invest referral bonus.
- Robinhood (1 free stock) – Robinhood gives you a free stock valued between $2.50-$225 if you open an account using my referral link.
- Public (1 free stock) - Public gives you a free stock valued between $3-$70 if you open an account using my referral link.
More Recommended Bank Account Bonuses
If you’re looking for more easy bank bonuses, check out the below options. These bonuses are all easy to earn and have no fees or minimum balance requirements to worry about.
- Ally Bank ($100) – Of all the banks out there, Ally is, without a doubt, my favorite. At the moment, Ally is offering $100 to customers who open an eligible Ally account and meet the requirements. Here are the step-by-step directions to earn your Ally Bank referral bonus.
- Chime ($100) - Chime is a free bank account that offers a referral bonus if you use a referral link and complete a direct deposit of $200 or more. In practice, any ACH transfer into this account triggers the bonus. This bonus is easy to earn and posts instantly, so you’ll know if you met the requirements as soon as you move money into the account. I wrote a step-by-step guide on how to earn your Chime referral bonus that I recommend you check out.
- US Bank Business ($400/$1200) – This is a fairly easy bank bonus to earn, since there are no direct deposit requirements. In addition, you can open the Silver Business Checking account, which comes with no monthly fees. Check out how to earn this big bonus here.
- Current ($50) – Current is a free fintech bank that’s offering new users a $50 referral bonus after signing up for an account using a referral link. Current is an easy bonus to earn and also gives you access to three savings accounts that pay you 4% interest on up to $2,000. That means you can put away up to $6,000 earning 4% interest. That’s very good and makes Current an account I recommend to everyone. Check out my step-by-step guide on how to earn your Current Bank bonus.
- Novo Bank ($40) - Novo bank is a free business checking account that’s currently offering a $40 bonus if you open a Novo business checking account using a referral link. In addition to being a good bank bonus, Novo is also a good business checking account. It has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements and operates a good app and website. Indeed, it’s the business checking account I currently use for this blog. Check out my post on how to easily open a Novo account.
- Varo ($25) – Varo is a free fintech banking app similar to Chime or Current. It’s currently offering a $25 bonus to new users that open a new Varo account with a referral link. The bonus for this bank is very easy to meet, all you need to do is spend $20 within 30 days of opening your Varo account. Check out my step-by-step guide to learn how to earn this bonus.
Kevin is an attorney and the blogger behind Financial Panther, a blog about personal finance, travel hacking, and side hustling using the gig economy. He paid off $87,000 worth of student loans in just 2.5 years by choosing not to live like a big shot lawyer.
Kevin is passionate about earning money using the gig economy and you can see all the ways he makes extra income every month in his side hustle reports.
Kevin is also big on using the latest fintech apps to improve his finances. Some of Kevin's favorite fintech apps include:
- SoFi Money. A really good checking account with absolutely no fees. You'll get a $25 referral bonus if you open a SoFi Money account with a referral link, and an additional $300 if you complete a direct deposit.
- 5% Savings Accounts. I'm currently getting 5.24% interest on my savings through a company called Raisin. Opening a Raisin account takes minutes to complete, it's free, and all of your funds are FDIC-insured. I explain how it works, why I'm now using it to store my emergency fund and any other cash savings I have, and why I recommend everyone check it out in this review.
- US Bank Business. US Bank is currently offering new business customers a $400/$1200 signup bonus after opening a new account and meeting certain requirements.
- M1 Finance. This is a great robo-advisor that has no fees and allows you to create a customized portfolio based on your risk tolerance. You also get $75 for opening an account.
- Empower. One of best free apps you can use to monitor your portfolio and track your net worth. This is one of the apps I use to track my financial accounts.
Feel free to send Kevin a message here.
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