Before you begin the process of searching for a new home you may be thinking about where you want to live, how many bedrooms you desire, and whether or not you are looking for an open concept layout. The next step you may be thinking about is who you should choose to be your real estate agent. While a real estate agent is very important in the purchase or sale of a home, they aren’t the only piece of a puzzle.

Choosing your loan officer is just as important. From getting you pre-qualified, to walking you through the entire loan process, your loan officer can help you achieve your financial goals with a home loan that meets your needs. They will be a huge advocate to help you realize your dreams of home ownership.

You’ll be spending a lot of time with your loan officer during the home financing process, so you want to be sure you work with someone who is responsive, helpful, and committed to getting you to the closing table. At LMCU, we have a 4.9-star rating from Zillow* for – you guessed it – responsiveness, helpfulness, and follow-through.

There’s a few reasons why connecting with a loan officer – a good one – is so important. Be sure to review this list below before you start your home search, and then connect with a loan officer when you’re ready to get started.

 1. Your loan officer can help you find the right fit for you.

With the right loan officer – and the right lender – you can find the loan option that fits your financial needs and home dreams. At LMCU, our selection of products and services is unmatched. So, not only are LMCU loan officers experts at what they do, but they have a wide array of products to choose from – helping you select the best loan option to fit your financial needs.

2. Your loan officer can help you find out how much home you can afford.

Getting pre-qualified is simpler than you think, and it’s an important first step in the home financing process. Shopping for a home without a pre-qualification means you could be shopping outside of your price range, losing you both time and money. Once you find a loan officer that fits your needs, talk to them about getting pre-qualified.

3. Your loan officer is your home-financing expert.

Homeownership is a huge investment, and it’s not one-size-fits-all. You may be a first-time homebuyer, building your dream home, looking for that picturesque vacation home, or anything in between. Luckily, LMCU loan officers can provide the expertise and service needed to get you the best loan product for your lifestyle and needs.

4. Your loan officer can turn jargon into plain English.

Disclosures, principal, and underwriting…oh my! The mortgage industry is full of jargon, but don’t let that discourage you. Your loan officer is there to simplify your options and break down the entire process, giving you the confidence to make the right decisions for you and your future home.

5. Not all lenders are created equal.

Not only is your loan officer important, but the lender you’re working with is just as important. Every financial institution offers different products and services, and you have choices. Fortunately, if you’re financing with LMCU, you’ll have a vast array of home loan options at your fingertips, from down payment assistance and low down payment options, to doctor and jumbo loans. We are the #1 mortgage purchase and construction lender in Michigan** for a reason (actually, lots of reasons).

Now that you know what to look for in a loan officer and lender, you’re ready to get started on your homeownership journey. Whenever you’re ready to get started, make sure you start of strong by getting pre-qualified by connecting with an LMCU Loan Officer at (844) 754-6280 or visit LMCU.org/Mortgage today.

*Based on 760 reviews as of 2/11/21. **Marketrac, August 2020.