re: Picking a lender for a mortgage -- first step

What type of loan? Convential, FHA, RD?

I am doing a RD loan now, and I started off using an online lender. Sure, they offered better rates/rebates towards closing costs, but I realized after a few days that it was a nightmare. I switched to a local lender. Getting the same rate but not nearly the same closing costs/rebates towards closing costs. But I would lose out on the house if I kept the online lender. They had no clue on what to do with RD.

If I was doing a refi then I would go with an online company with a better deal. But I do not have the luxury of time with a RD purchase. I feel that I am still getting a good deal and still getting great service.

Definitely pick a company that you are comfortable with. But realize that a bank/credit union will generally not offer as good a rates as you can get through a mortgage company/broker. They can pull from many different sources and get you a better deal...generally speaking of course. My credit union is only offering 3.5-3.625%......my mortgage company is doing 3.25%.