Shopping for an interest rate is one of the absolute worst ways to shop for a mortgage. The really funny part in saying as much is that people become sceptical when it comes to a Mortgage Professional saying that shopping for an interest rate is the worst way to go. The irony here is that a dishonest loan officer will jump at the chance to offer you a below the bottom interest rate that does not really exist for your situation and a Mortgage Professional will tell you the truth.
The truth is that I can no more quote an interest rate to someone without taking an application than a doctor can give a proper diagnosis without examining the patient. Of course that is an old analogy but just think about it for a minute... Interest rates are like a reflection of risk factors related to funding the loan based on how well or poorly a person is qualified. It is very rare that I will qualify two people in the same day who qualify for the exact same program and interest rate.
It does not matter what your neighbor got for an interest rate you may not qualify for the same rate. I mentioned at the top of this post that I believe that it is a bad idea to shop for an interest rate. Let me explain: Rates change on a daily basis... sometimes there are even mid-day re-pricing. Yesterday the markets were so jittery that most major lenders re-priced 2 times after yesterday morning's initial pricing came out.
In other words you may actually get a really good quote today from a loan officer and get another quote tomorrow from a Mortgage Professional. The interest on the quote from the Mortgage Professional may be higher than the interest on the quote from the loan officer. That does not mean that you should work with the loan officer as opposed to the Mortgage Professional, it just means that you did not lock the interest rate right away and by the time you got the quote from the Mortgage Professional the interest rate has gone up due to market conditions.
You can't get quoted a rate, decide not to lock for two weeks because you are shopping for a mortgage and expect to get the same rate that you were initially quoted in a turbulent market. That is why in my opinion it makes much more sense to check up on the credentials of the Mortgage Professional or loan officer that you are considering working with. Check them out and find out what other people who have already worked with them have to say.
If you make sure that you are working with a qualified and ethical Mortgage Professional in the first place you will be ensuring yourself that you will get the rate and terms that best suite your needs.
Testimonials
Dear Mr. Ohlsen
I appreciate the honest and straightforward way you handled my refinance.
You offered advice if I ever needed it.
As life goes I remembered that and I did need some important
financial advice and you supplied
that in a very timely manner.
Your expertise greatly appreciated. I wish you continued success.
Sincerely
-Rayena Sandell
Manatee, FL
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Your rates were great, fees were low!
-Stephen Mallon
Brooklyn, NY
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Great Job, will use you again!
-William Smith
Woodridge, NY
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"Amazing, fast, and thorough. Chris helped me buy my home and kept me informed every step of the way. He was honest and direct in his approach, and he was always concerned with my needs as a client and as a person. I would definitely recommend his services to anyone considering buying a house." May 15, 2008
Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, High Integrity
Phyllis Mitchell
hired Christopher as a Mortgage Broker in 2,006
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Its true that Chris is the best. He is my son so I did not originally want to go through him, I did not want him to show me any special favoritism. I was turned down by 4 lenders over the course of a year before I decided to see what my son could do. He has been giving me financial and credit advice that has always panned out for the past 4 years. When I finally went to him he not only got me approved he got me a lower rate than any of the other lenders even offered me before they told me they could not do the loan. Chris got me a 7% fixed rate for 30 yrs when no one else could even get me approved. Chris is my son but he is also the only mortgage advisor that I will ever recomend to anyone or ever go through again!
-Deborah Ohlsen
MT. View, NY
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"My fiancee and I are first-time home buyers. We were referred to Chris by one of my wife's colleagues who recommended him. I am very glad that we chose to work with him. He was very patient, well-informed, and was willing to meet with us outside of regular work hours to ensure that we were comfortable with the process. We highly recommend his services to other first-time home buyers!"
-Sean Dermody
Plattsburgh, NY
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"In a line of work where you hear many horror stories, every once in a while you meet a truly honest and ethical person. I was contacted by Chris intially about a year ago to perform an appraisal, and knew that he was 'one of the good guys' in this business. Ever since I have been very impressed by his dedication to his craft. I recommend Chris for all of your lending needs, as I know he will do everything in his power to help you in any way he can. He is truly a gentleman and stands out in his field." May 15, 2008
Larry Ellis, Owner, L. Ellis Appraisals Inc.
was a consultant or contractor to Christopher at Lake City Mortgage
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"I met with Chris to explore a business oportunity with one of my clients and Chris was very receptive to finding ways to work together. His in-depth knowledge of construction loans made him my go-to broker for potential log home buyers in New York." May 15, 2008
Top qualities: Personable, Expert, Creative
David Pearce
hired Christopher as a Mortgage Broker in 2008
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"During our entire transaction, Chris was always available and always kept me updated and got back to me promptly. Chris went out of his way to keep this transaction together and moving forward. I would recommend anyone looking for a hard working, professional mortgage broker to call Chris." May 15, 2008
Andre LaFountain, Owner, Kavanaugh Realty
was with another company when working with Christopher at Lake City Mortgage
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"I met Christopher through the Net! He is such a wize kid (not really a kid, but the term fits). Better yet he follows up on what he promises! No fluff, high energy, excellent delivery for a great value! Folks take advantage of his services before he becomes one of the Fortune 500 group! Chris' work ethics are what successful CEO's are made of!" May 16, 2008
Top qualities: Great Results, On Time, Creative
Darleen March
hired Christopher as a Financial Advisor in 2008
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"I worked with Chris at Sunset Mortgage Company in Glens Falls NY. During the height of the refinance boom when there were a whole lot of shady dealings in the industry Chris received the majority of his business from repeat clients and referrals. Chris is honest, genuine, and truly cares about his clients needs. Chris has never struck me as the type who is working for a commission but rather he works to uphold his client's best interests and earns an honest wage in the process. I highly recommend Chris for your entire home lending needs!" May 29, 2008
Marshall Jurnak, Loan officer, Eagle Nationwide Mortgage
worked directly with Christopher at SMC Mortgage
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"I have known Christopher for many years. He and I spent time at the same company during the refinancing boom. He was the loan officer I turned to whenever I had a situation in which I needed advice. His attention to detail and dedication to the craft were unparalleled in the industry. I have had family members go through this fine gentleman for their mortgages, and I will not buy a home without talking to Chris Ohlsen first." June 1, 2008
Alvin Mitchell, Senior Technician, Bobby Jones Inc
worked indirectly for Christopher at First Guarantee Mortgage
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"Chris had helped me buy my first home. It had been a process that I was unsure of and hadn't had the training and expertise in. Chris not only acted as a loan officer by securing a loan that, had I not gone to him, I very well may not have been approved for, but also acted very much as an advisor to the process of buying a home. I'd recommend his services to anyone that needs a knowledgeable approach. Chris in my opinion worked on this one with the same diligence that he would have if it were his own." May 30, 2008
Top qualities: Personable, Expert, High Integrity
Russell Duprey
hired Christopher as a Loan Officer in 2,008
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"Chris is extremely knowledgeable, professional and a pleasure to work with. He continually provides the highest level of customer service and maintains very respectable ethics. I can understand why the majority of his borrowers are referrals from previous customers he has assisted. My processing staff loves working with him, too." May 23, 2008
Celeste Marek, Account Executive, Fifth Third Mortgage Company
was with another company when working with Christopher at Lake City Mortgage
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"Christopher Ohlsen is thorough in his financial services and places high expectations on clientèle's satisfaction." June 4, 2008
Stephen Arvay, Owner, IT - Computer & Business Consulting Services
was with another company when working with Christopher at Lake City Mortgage
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"Chris was a very proactive, hardworking, honest person who seemed to really care about our situation and our well being in the purchase of our new home. We would highly recommend him and we would not choose another advisor anywhere!!!!!!!" June 4, 2008
Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, High Integrity
Jeffrey Mars
hired Christopher as a Mortgage Advisor in 2007
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"I've worked with this gentleman on and off for the past 3 years. The one attribute that I can give him above others, is his relentless ability to find the perfect balance between the banks, the brokers, and most imortantly, the clients. They all seem to walk away knowing they got the best possible scenario out there for them at the time and everyone goes home happy. That's prob why he gets so much repeat business." June 5, 2008
Nathaniel Hallmark, Mortgage Banker, ENMC
worked directly with Christopher at Lake City Mortgage
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More testimonials & verifiable references are available upon request.
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