6 Reasons to Shop Around and 1 Reason Not.

So i came across this article entitled:

6 Reasons it Pays to Shop Around Before Choosing a Mortgage

Here are the reasons that it gave.

1. To get the best interest rate possible
Over the life of a $200,000, 30-year fixed rate loan, a one-tenth of a point difference in interest rate could save or cost you thousands of dollars.

2. To pay lower loan fees
Once your loan application is accepted, the lender will get back to you with a good-faith estimate (GFE), including an itemized list of all the costs associated with the loan. If there are any parts of the GFE that you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask the lender to explain each fee that is listed.

3. To avoid a prepayment penalty
In these transient times, it seems no one stays in their home long enough to pay down their mortgage the old fashioned way: in monthly increments over a period of decades. So you’ll want to be clear on whether the terms of your loan include a penalty if you pay off your mortgage early—either because you move or refinance.

4. To find a lender you feel comfortable with
You don’t want any surprises popping up at closing time. Get a lender who is responsive to your questions and is willing to give you the details in writing.

5. To find a lender that specializes in your situation
Recent volatility in the mortgage markets means that people with bad credit or little money for a down payment might have to look a little harder to find a lender.

6. To get the rate lock period you want
Once you’ve found the lender offering the best mortgage rate and terms, you’ll want to get a written commitment, known as a “lock” that puts in writing that the lender will make the loan to you at that the specified interest rate. The length of the lock can vary from 30-90 days, but many lenders will charge a fee for a rate commitment of longer than a month. Negotiate the lock period that is right for you, depending on when you plan to close on your new home and if interest rates are expected to creep higher during that time.

While the reasons are geared toward good intentions I can honestly say that in todays market might not have the best outcome. Here is why.

You get what you feel is the best rate and you are going to pay lower loan fees. In order for these things to take place you have to close. This is what sets lenders apart. Promise made and promise kept. It happens daily for buyers choosing a lender without a referral. No knowledge of a persons capability of closing the loan and most of the time the deal never goes through. I myself would be willing to pay the few extra dollars to have a guarantee that my transaction will close. I offer my clients the names of at least two if not three lenders that I have worked with on numerous closings and know they can get the job done. Just know that Cheap is not always best. But in todays market the rates are the lowest that we have seen so all transaction that make it through closing are great deals.