Trust your real estate agent for recommendations for a mortgage broker. A good agent will know which brokers can close deals quickly and easily. Banks should be your last resource, even if they are behind the mortgage companies. Wherever you get your loan, it will probably be sold to another entity for servicing.

Also: most realtors will want you to pre-qualify for a mortgage before they even start working with you, and definitely your per-qualification will be a part of any offer on any house you might buy.

We used a mortgage broker recommended by our builder, and it was a smooth process. He took all the application information, pre-qualified us based on that data, and also asked us how far out we wanted to lock in the rate.

He then researched rates each day and identified lenders who were willing to give us each rate, base on our credit report and financial info. He provided specific info like, "they are offering 4.25% and no points, 4.00% with one point, length of the lock, etc.". He also gave us feedback on factors that were changing and may cause rates to go up or down. At about the 30 day point we chose to lock the rate and he identified a specific lender for the loan. He got their acceptance and sent all our info to the lender we used.

Bruce

I highly suggest that you find a good buyer's agent in your new location and get his/her suggestions on local brokers- not somebody in your current location. Sometimes, listing agents/sellers balk at our-of-area financing offers, or at least they used to. The agent will know what brokers are best for your situation, and as you know most of this can be handled online/over the phone.

Good luck!