If they have a preferred lender, fine. If not, I recommended those I knew would do a great job. I never recommended an online lender. I had a client do that once, and they ordered an appraiser from out of town who knew nothing about our rural area, plus they were slow and unresponsive. It was a nightmare. We ended up having to start all over with a local lender.

Most agents have several lenders they recommend who can assist a buyer. We suggest having at least 3 names to provide to buyers so they can shop for the best fit for their personal needs.

Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate 

If my buyers don't have a lender, I recommend 4 or 5 trusted lenders:) Katina

I have trusted lenders that I refer them to.  The specific group of lenders depends on the client's needs.

If they are not already working with a trusted lender, I recommend a lender I know will take excellent care of them. 

100% of the time I send them to Jason E. Gordon 
Because they are working with second best if they are not working with Jason, and I insist on the best.

I always used to say to their lender Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate and I guess I'd stick with that today.

Great question! When it comes to mortgage pre-approval, I like to refer my buyers to someone I know, like, and trust, and have a good relationship with—whether that's a banker, a direct lender, or a mortgage broker.

The key is finding someone who truly understands your situation and can guide you through the process smoothly. After all, isn’t it better to work with someone who feels more like a partner than just another number? 

I always aim to connect my clients with a lender who can best meet their needs, because at the end of the day, it’s about making the home-buying journey as stress-free as possible.

My criteria is to use someone local who can achieve a result Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate ...I use a guy who communicates extremely well, is available, & note this: His lending source is out of state, which doesn't matter IF you trust your loan officer. Buyers just starting out are susceptible to hype & it is wise to team-up here. When a buyer's agent is used, I have questions that must be answered to MY satisfaction. We work together or not at all

If they have a lender they've been happy with I suggest they maintain that relationship. If they don't, I suggest three of my best lenders in the Charlotte area.

General recommendation (if asked) is to go with a smaller, local bank that understands the local market conditions and is more likely to get things done faster. Service and access to a specific loan officer might be easier. 

Suggest, not recommend:

First, talk to where they do their banking. See if that can streamline the process since the bank would already know how much money they have there!
Failing that, we have a couple of good locals who don't screw up. Reach out to them.
Internet lenders are more trouble than success, in my experience. They always say 'can do' until the 'oops' comes in. They never know our tribal customs well enough to determine what they can and can't do.
Board affiliate does not correlate with good at their job! 

REGARDLESS of who, they MUST speak to me. And they need to be responsive and professional. They're gonna be authorized to talk to me by the borrower as a condition of purchase. 

Fortunately, our good guys will not need to be asked twice . . .

I suggest their bank (if they are a good customer, they can get a great rate perhaps), a mortgage broker and a mortgage banker.  Generally people I have worked with in the past.

If Buyers choose to ask for a lender, I suggest a few local lenders that have done an excellent job on prior transactions, and have a very consultative approach. They take the time to explain the process, the available options. I also explain to the Buyers that their credit score will not, most likely, be affected by talking to several lenders who may run their credit. 

Wherever they have a relationship, to start. After than I have a couple brokers I recommend.

To their existing bank along with at lease one other since their existing bank is seldom the best place to get a mortgage.

It all depends.  I have a detailed conversation about how to best get to the finish line. 

Keep it local with an instate mortgage center for local appraisers who know the lay of the land. Quicker, cheaper, less apt to time out because everything done where the property is. 

Oftentimes they prefer to use the one they used when they bought their current home. If they ask my opinion or ask about rates, I share my best brokers' contact information, suggest they speak to all of them and let them make their own decision. 

We had several top notch local lenders we referred our clients too as we knew they would receive top notch service and good fees and rates...and get it closed on time!

I will always try to get my clients to qualify with a trusted lender that I know will give honest and reliable loan approval.  I will always let the client know that they should do some research fo find the best rates.  I'll explain that many lender's word isn't worth that much.

I give them a list, but ultimately buyer's choice.

Well it depends on what they are looking at in a property and if they have interest in seeing lease lots.  We have some unicorn properties locally that only certain lenders loan on.  

We have a list of good lenders we can provide.

I suggest the buyer speak to 3 lenders and obtain estimated closing costs to compare the same product they are pre approved for...  I also explain and review pre approved vs. pre qualification vs desk top approval

I ask if they are working with a lender and who, and if they are not, I have 3 trusted lenders with knowledge and expertise to get them to the closing table.   Depending on what type of loan, I then say which one of the 3 would be best.

When active I had 3 preferred lenders depending upon the circumstances of the buyer. One was a bank with limited product and two were mortgage brokers with a plethora of funding sources.

I have the network or lenders I worked before and I do share the names but if the buyer wants to work with someone else I do not object to it. I simply call that person to introduce myself and see what they have done so far in the preapparoval process. 

The pre-approval is not exactly meaningless - but I don't put much weight into it. More important- once we identify a property is to make sure that the lender will consider underwriting in that property- and only then does a pre approval really matter. This is because so many of our properties here require portfolio lending